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Dr. Sergio Conti, PhD, MD is a cardiac electrophysiologist in Coralville, IA specializing in cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm) and adult cardiology. He graduated from University of Catania Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Sergio Conti, PhD, MD is affiliated with University of Iowa Health Care.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
A cardiac resynchronization therapy device, also known as a CRT or biventricular pacemaker, is a kind of pacemaker that can help the heart work more effectively. In certain kinds of heart failure, the ventricles, or larger chambers in the heart, stop working together. When they are no longer in synch, the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. CRT can help keep the heartbeat regular and the ventricles contracting at the same time.
Just as with a standard pacemaker, a biventricular pacemaker consists of a small battery pack and electrical leads, or small wires that conduct electricity to the heart. CRT pacemakers have two or three leads, placed in the upper and lower chambers of the heart. The device measures the contractions of the heart, and if the heart begins to beat out of time it will send small, rhythmic pulses of electricity to resynchronize (hence the name 'cardiac resynchronization therapy) the contractions. This allows the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body more efficiently. Sometimes a CRT is combined with a different kind of device called an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or ICD, which uses a higher burst of energy to restart the heart if it stops suddenly.
When a biventricular pacemaker is inserted, the wire leads are usually placed via a small incision near the shoulder, then threaded through a vein to the heart. The battery pack is placed under the skin of the chest near the collarbone. Once everything is in place, the leads are connected to the battery, and the CRT can begin helping the heart beat correctly.
It is normal to experience swelling and discomfort as the incisions from surgery heal. It takes time for the heart to adjust to the pacemaker, so vigorous activity should be kept to a minimum for the first few weeks. Strong magnetic fields may affect how the CRT functions, so patients may be advised to avoid them. As patients heart begins to pump blood more effectively, they should soon begin to feel stronger and less fatigued.
Dr. Sergio Conti, PhD, MD graduated from University of Catania Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. He has a state license in Iowa.
Medical School: University of Catania Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Licensed In: Iowa
Dr. Sergio Conti, PhD, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Sergio Conti, PhD, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 42 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sergio Conti, PhD, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Coralville, IA.
Dr. Sergio Conti sees patients in Iowa City, IA and Coralville, IA. His medical specialties are adult cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm). These areas are among his clinical interests: cardiac electrophysiological study, brugada syndrome, and cryosurgery. He graduated from the University of Catania Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Conti speaks Italian. He is affiliated with the University of Iowa Health Care.
