Bi-Ventricular Pacemakers
Heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. About five million Americans suffer from congestive heart failure (CHF), which causes such symptoms as fatigue, shortness of breath, depletion of energy, difficulty sleeping due to breathing problems, impaired memory and confusion. In severe cases, CHF can render its victims virtually bedridden.

The most common cause of CHF is untreated high blood pressure. CHF can also be caused by damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack, infections, some medications, thyroid problems and some vitamin deficiencies. Sometimes the heart muscle is injured because there is damage to the heart valves that may force the heart to work very hard to pump blood.

A new form of pacemaker - called a biventricular pacemaker - can now be surgically implanted, often with dramatic results in many patients who suffer from advanced heart failure. Results are often immediate; with patients experiencing a significant improvement in their symptoms within days after the procedure is performed.

Also known as cardiac resynchronization therapy, the procedure involves placing a small device under the skin of the chest, with three soft, insulated leads into the heart. It works by sending tiny electrical pulses to the heart's ventricles to make them beat, as they should, in a coordinated fashion.

Unlike previous pacemakers, which are connected by one or two electrical leads to the right ventricle or atrium (atria are the heart's receiving chambers), the new device uses three leads connected to the right ventricle, right atrium and left ventricle. Because placement is more difficult on the left ventricle, the new pacemaker takes about three hours to implant, double the time required to place the other pacemaker types.

Please consult your physician with any concerns you may have with CHF or Biventricular pacemakers. You can also contact us at the Heart Center at St. Clair by calling 412.942.3050.

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