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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Heart Devices: An Overview
Introduction
The human heart is a powerful pump responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. However, certain heart conditions may impair its function, requiring medical devices to support or regulate its activity. These devices can be lifesaving and significantly improve the quality of life for patients with various cardiovascular diseases.
Types of Heart Devices
1. Pacemakers
Pacemakers are small devices implanted in the chest to regulate slow or irregular heartbeats (bradycardia). They work by sending electrical impulses to the heart to ensure a steady rhythm.
Indications: - Bradycardia (slow heart rate) - Heart block (impaired electrical signaling) - Certain cases of heart failure
2. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs)
ICDs are used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They monitor heart rhythm and deliver shocks when needed to restore normal rhythm.
Indications: - History of sudden cardiac arrest - Severe ventricular arrhythmias - High risk of fatal arrhythmias due to heart disease
3. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Devices
CRT devices help coordinate the contractions of the heart chambers in patients with heart failure, improving efficiency and symptoms.
Indications: - Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction - Electrical dyssynchrony in the heart (e.g., left bundle branch block)
4. Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs)
LVADs are mechanical pumps that assist the function of a failing left ventricle, typically in patients awaiting heart transplantation or those with end-stage heart failure.
Indications: - Severe heart failure not responding to medications - Bridge to heart transplantation - Destination therapy for non-transplant candidates
5. Artificial Hearts
Total artificial hearts (TAHs) replace the function of both ventricles and are used as a last resort in patients who cannot receive heart transplants.
Indications: - End-stage heart failure - Ineligibility for heart transplant
Conclusion
Heart devices play a critical role in managing serious heart conditions. Each device serves a specific function depending on the patient’s condition, enhancing their survival and quality of life. If you or a loved one require a heart device, consulting a cardiologist is essential for proper evaluation and decision-making.
Source recommendations
1. 2023 ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article-abstract/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2022/09/02/14/23/2022-ESC-Guidelines-for-VAs-ESC-2022
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405500X22010945
2. ACC/AHA/HRS 2018 Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Patients with Bradycardia and Cardiac Conduction Delay
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000628
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30412710/
- https://www.hrsonline.org/guidance/clinical-resources/2018-accahahrs-guideline-evaluation-and-management-patients-bradycardia-and-cardiac-conduction
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30586772/
- https://www.jacc.org/guidelines/bradycardia
3. ESC Guidelines on Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Cardiac-Pacing-and-Cardiac-Resynchronization-Therapy
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/35/3427/6358547
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34455430/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/34/29/2281/401445
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23801822/
4. ACC/AHA HFSA 2022 Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35378257/
- https://hfsa.org/heart-failure-guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/2022-guideline-for-the-management-of-heart-failure
- https://hfsa.org/hfguidelines2022
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.