PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiac resynchronization therapy, a biventricular pacemaker-based therapy for heart failure, is increasingly being used based on a variety of clinical studies. However, the complications and risks related to different aspects of this novel therapy are not well documented. This review summarizes the data derived from major clinical trials about the complications related to implantation, hardware, and programming of biventricular devices. RECENT FINDINGS: Several clinical trials have reported the complications related to biventricular device implantation. However, there are no reports available providing a comprehensive review on all the possible complications related to cardiac resynchronization devices. SUMMARY: With a clear understanding of the potential complications and meticulous approach to implant and programming, the incidence of complications can be minimized.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiac resynchronization therapy, a biventricular pacemaker-based therapy for heart failure, is increasingly being used based on a variety of clinical studies. However, the complications and risks related to different aspects of this novel therapy are not well documented. This review summarizes the data derived from major clinical trials about the complications related to implantation, hardware, and programming of biventricular devices. RECENT FINDINGS: Several clinical trials have reported the complications related to biventricular device implantation. However, there are no reports available providing a comprehensive review on all the possible complications related to cardiac resynchronization devices. SUMMARY: With a clear understanding of the potential complications and meticulous approach to implant and programming, the incidence of complications can be minimized.