Patient Education

Heart Health Library

Our Health Library does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their heart health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Biventricular pacemaker for heart failure (cardiac resynchronization therapy)

Location of pacemaker and how it connects to the heart.

A pacemaker for heart failure, used for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), sends electrical pulses to the heart to keep the lower chambers (the ventricles) pumping together. This type of pacemaker is also called a biventricular pacemaker.

A doctor places the pacemaker in the chest. The pacemaker has three wires, or leads, that connect to the heart through the subclavian vein. One lead is in the right atrium (upper chamber). A second lead is in the right ventricle. The third lead is in a vein on the outside of the left ventricle. This vein is called the coronary sinus branch vessel.

Current as of: June 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
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