Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Program
The Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers cardiac resynchronization therapy, or the use of a specialized pacemaker to treat patients with heart failure.
- Request an appointment or referral
- Phone: 866-MGH-8910
Our Approach
Our Doctors
Physicians within the Cardiac Resynchronization Program treat patients with heart failure who have diminished heart function and need special pacemaker therapy to synchronize the pumping action of the heart.
This program works through the collaborative efforts of the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service and echocardiography services at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center. We also work closely with referring primary cardiologists or internists to ensure continuity of care for patients.
Coordinating the Beating of the Heart
Cardiac resynchronization therapy is provided for patients with heart failure due to an abnormality in the pumping of the heart's ventricles. The heart's ventricles are supposed to contract simultaneously, but in many patients with heart failure, they may beat out of synchrony.
About Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
The therapy involves the placement of an implantable biventricular pacing device with three leads (right atrial, right ventricular and left ventricular) that synchronize ventricular contractions. The result is a more efficient heart, and more importantly, a better quality of life for our patients.Care within the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Program truly has no boundaries. Our specialists care for patients in inpatient, outpatient and emergency room settings, as well as follow them remotely in their homes. Bluetooth and radiofrequency (RF) capabilities are typically used in coordination with defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Our physicians have found that cardiac resynchronization therapy can offer patients a number of benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Improved quality of life
- Increased exercise capacity
- Reduction in hospitalization for heart failure
- Reduction in mortality rates
This proactive approach saves lives by alerting patients and physicians often before symptoms occur. They receive detailed information on how the heart is beating and can call a patient into the hospital if there is a medical emergency.
Treatments and Procedures
Most patients are seen for three to four visits to maximize treatment therapies. Our specialists offer a variety of treatments and procedures including:
- An evaluation of cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates by specialists in heart failure, electrophysiology and echocardiography
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation
- A post-implant evaluation by a team of doctors and nurses, designed to individualize treatment strategies for our patients
- Patient education
- Device interrogations
- Echocardiography-guided device optimization and follow-up care
- Home or remote-monitoring and follow-up care
- Opportunities for patients to participate in cutting-edge treatment strategies
About This Program The Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Program was established in November of 2005 to provide multidisciplinary care to heart failure patients eligible for device therapy.
Care is provided through the collaborative effort and expertise of echocardiography, electrophysiology and heart failure specialists. The program uses research and evidence-based medicine to provide cutting-edge treatment options to patients.
All Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Program physicians are on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, which means they not only have a mission to provide the best possible patient care, but also a commitment to educate the next generation of medical professionals.
Our Vision
Our Goal
The central goal of the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Program is to deliver state-of-the-art device therapy to improve the quality of life of our patients.Some of the important objectives of the program are to:
- Enhance the extent of benefit that patients receive from resynchronization therapy
- Provide integrated and multidisciplinary care to enhance and improve clinical outcomes
- Identify patients who might not show adequate responses in a timely fashion and prevent an exacerbation of their heart failure
- Provide remote monitoring of devices, which enable early intervention and prevent hospitalizations
A Leader in Research
Specialists within the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Program have a significant role in several national and international multicenter studies. We have advanced the field of device therapy by:
- Improving patient selection and predicting response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Our work has led to the creation of a novel response score to predict clinical outcomes in this patient group
- Advancing and developing novel ventricular lead implantation strategies. We have used novel rotational venography and imaging techniques to propose and substantiate new coronary venous anatomy classification and to redefine the best views for lead implantation
- Developing novel image integration strategies for cardiac resynchronization therapy. Our physicians have done innovative work integrating computed tomography, ultrasound and fluoroscopy to create better clinical strategies to facilitate device implantation and patient follow up
- Using device diagnostics and remote monitoring in heart failure patients. Our physicians are leaders in using device diagnostics and remote monitoring technology. Recent work from our investigators has resulted in the creation of a predictive algorithm for patient response and long-term outcome
Conditions and Diseases The care team at the Heart Center encourages all patients and family members to learn more about conditions and diseases that affect the heart and overall cardiovascular system. The links below provide more information about heart conditions and diseases that might be treated within this program.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are heart rhythm disorders that may originate in the atria (the receiving chambers of the heart) or the ventricles (the pumping chambers of the heart).
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is any disease of the heart muscle in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively.
Heart Failure
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs.
Support and Wellness
Mass General is dedicated to ensuring that people understand their health care choices and have the necessary information to make decisions affecting their health and well being. The related support and wellness information listed below can play a role in treatment options.
Guide to Cardiac Surgery
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac surgery. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after your surgery.
Guide to Cardiac Catheterization
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac catheterization. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after a cardiac catheterization.
Guide to Cardiac Anesthesia
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac anesthesia. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after a cardiac anesthesia.
News and Events 07/16/2009: Monitoring patients remotely
New wireless technology allows Heart Center clinicians to keep tabs on heart failure patients wherever they are
An advanced cardiac CT scanner
Physicians at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center use cutting edge technology to identify possible cardiac abnormalities.
Heart Center
55 Fruit StreetBoston, MA 02114
Phone: 866-MGH-8910
Public Transportation Access: yes
Disabled Access: yes
If you are a new patient, you may complete our online appointment form to request an appointment. Our outpatient access nurse will ask you more about your condition and symptoms, and match you with the best-fitting Heart Center physician.
Request an appointment at the Heart Center 
Call the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center outpatient access nurse at 866-MGH-8910
