Summary:
Congestive heart failure is a major health problem reaching epidemic proportions in the industrialized world. Despite
significant advances in medical therapy, prognosis still remains dim. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a novel
therapeutic approach in management of heart failure patients. Its goal is the restoration of an impaired cardiac
synchrony, which can be found in high number of heart failure patients. Cardiac dyssynchrony is characterized by
presence of intra and interventricular conduction delays. Cardiac synchrony can be regained by biventricular
stimulation. The procedure consists of a special lead being inserted via coronary sinus to a suitable branch of cardiac
veins of the left ventricle in addition to a lead in the right ventricle cavity and right atrium. Several clinical trials have
demonstrated that cardiac resynchronization therapy improves functional status and quality of life in majority of
patients, as well as renders a favourable impact on prognosis.
Key words:
congestive heart failure, cardiac resynchronization therapy, biventricular stimulation.
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