Cardiac resynchronization therapy (...

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy are therapeutic modalities that appear to have substantial promise for patients with heart disease and chronic heart failure (CHF) The final portion of this paper will consist of 3 short sections in which brief reviews of CRT in CHF ICD therapy, and the systems by which physical therapists (PTs) can optimally examine and manage patients receiving CRT and ICD therapy will be provided.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Chronic Heart Failure

A simplified explanation of CRT is the proces used to synchronize AV as well as right and left ventricular depolarization and contraction in reliances of eliciting a more efficient and effective cardiac contraction. Although CRT has been a potential therapeutic modality for the past 6 to 8 years, it is single now receiving greater clinical use. This is surprising in view of the benefits that have been observ in a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of of the CRT literature which has been summarized in Table 317-22 Furthermore, several important predictors of mortality have also been improved with CRT including left ventricular size, norepinephrine on a levels heart rate and heart rate variability, peak oxygen consumption, just discovered York Heart Association classification, and 6-minute walk ordeal distance ambulated.17-22 Although the improvements in these important indices of survival in CHF are noteworthy, investigation of the specific weights of CRT on mortality are penuryed Nonetheless, the improvements in many of the manifestations of CHF shown inTable3 are likely to improve the functional abilities and quality of life of individuals with CHF17-22