Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing
Physicians at Washington Regional’s Electrophysiology Clinic, part of the Walker Heart Institute, are the first in Northwest Arkansas to offer left bundle branch area pacing, or LBBAP, which is a new technique used to improve heart function in some patients with heart failure.
Electrical signals control the heart’s rhythm. However, some people may have a condition that disrupts those signals and affects the heart’s natural rhythm. This can lead to a slow heart rate and symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue.
In addition to medications, pacemakers are typically used to improve heart function for people with a slow heart rhythm. A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps your heart beat more regularly. Pacemakers are comprised of a pulse generator connected to pacing leads, or wires, which are placed in specific areas of the heart. However, too much pacing of the heart muscle over time may lead to a decline in heart function.
During LBBAP, your electrophysiologist will implant a standard pacemaker but will insert the lead into a specific area of the heart called the left bundle branch area, where the heart’s electrical system sits. By stimulating the left bundle branch area instead of the heart muscle, the pacemaker works with your heart’s own conduction system to produce a more natural, synchronized heartbeat. For patients with heart failure, this can improve and maintain heart function while also providing a better quality of life.
To learn more about left bundle branch area pacing, contact Washington Regional Electrophysiology Clinic.