The 85-bed Trinity Hospital & Heart Foundation has adopted a novel method in Resynchronisation Therapy procedure by using a special pulse pacemaker also called a heart failure device successfully on a patient with a terminal heart failure condition. This procedure is being attempted for the first time in Karnataka.

The simple painless procedure, which needs only a small nick on the skin, is a viable and economic option for patient with no blood loss and allowing a shorter stay in hospital. This helps him to bring down the medical expenses compared to a heart transplant, which is the only answer for such cases.

There are only a handful of these procedures conducted in India mainly because of low awareness about the new concept and the lack of skilled specialists who can handle such intricate procedures, Dr. B G Muralidhara, chairman and chief cardiologist, (interventional) told Pharmabiz.com.

Terminal heart failure patients can now benefit from the 'Resynchronisation Therapy'. The procedure consists of a special pulse pacemaker also called a heart failure device, which delivers electrical signals to help the heart contract better and increase the amount of blood flow to the body.

"The Resynchronisation Therapy was administered to the patient by Dr. Muralidhara by inserting three tiny leads into his heart and the pacemaker was inserted just below the clavicle through a small insertion under local anesthesia. Soon after the therapy, doctors noticed a remarkable improvement in the blood pressure and other parameters of heart function in the patient. The patient's condition improved speedily and was discharged in few days from the hospital," said Dr. Muralidhara.

The heart failure device in Resynchronisation Therapy consists of a battery, a specialized computer chip and other special electronics. The device is connected to three insulated wires called 'leads'. The three leads along with the device are inserted using a surgical procedure. The leads are designed to send electrical signals from the device to the heart and also receive the heart's electrical signals. The device uses electrical signals to coordinate the regular contractions of the heart and improve the pumping of blood, he explained.

Resynchronisation therapy is not advised for all heart patients. This can be applied to terminal heart failure patients who are in need of continuous support for the normal functioning of their heart. It helps critical condition patients who are suffering from this condition to recover safely and quickly.

The new procedure takes a shorter duration and can be completed in six hours. It is usually performed on extremely sick patients, which makes the procedure risky. The life-span to the heart failure device is between 5 to 7 years, after which the patient has to replace the battery. The total cost of the treatment is Rs. 4 lakh while the cost of the equipment is Rs. 3.5 lakh for the patient, informed Dr. Muralidhara.

On the difference between Resynchronisation Therapy and Defibrillator procedure, Dr Muralidhara said that the Defibrillator is applicable to patients who suffer from irregular heartbeats also called 'Arrhythmias'. The Defibrillator sends a high-energy shock when the heart loses its rhythm to bring it back on track. In the case of 'Resynchronisation Therapy', the application works by sending sustained electrical signals to ensure the normal functioning of an affected heart. The timely and coordinated contraction of the heart enables it to pump blood more efficiently.