Duke electrophysiologists work in close collaboration with Duke’s heart failure physicians when it’s determined that those patients would benefit from a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), or a combination device.

About 10 percent of people with heart failure have hearts that pump with too little force as well as a sluggish electrical system that prevents the left and right ventricles from beating in sync.

The resulting lack of fresh oxygenated blood can cause patients to feel tired and short of breath.

Many of these patients can benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy. A pacemaker that paces both ventricles is implanted beneath the collarbone.

The procedure can enhance heart function, increase exercise capacity, improve quality of life, and enhance survival.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Al Khatib, Sana M.
• Bahnson, Tristram D.
• Grant, Augustus O.
• Greenfield, Ruth A.
• Hranitzky, Patrick M.

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Health Center at Southpoint
  6301 Herndon Road, Durham, NC 27713
• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710