2 Answers

Biventricular pacemaker checks (CRT)
Pacemakers which are implanted in some patients with heart failure, a Bivent check is similar to a pacemaker check, it may take slightly longer as there is often a third electrode in the heart which needs to be checked. Again the check allows us to analyze many types of data that the device has collected in between visits and can give us information about, for example, whether particular drugs are effective and allows us to reprogram the settings according to the patients needs.

Implantable defibrillator (ICD) checks
ICD's are extremely effective at treating 2 potentially lethal rhythm abnormalities (Arrhythmias), VT and VF. When fully operational, ICD's monitor the heart rate and rhythm. When it detects an abnormality, it will initiate pacing if the rhythm is VT, or it will deliver a small electric shock if the rhythm is VF. This is because in VF, the heart rhythm is completely chaotic and it can no longer pump blood effectively around the body. An ICD check is similar for the patient to a pacemaker check, it may however take slightly longer as there is often a lot more data which needs to be analysed by the physiologist. Most importantly, ICD checks allow us to see whether the patient has received any shocks, therapy for VT or VF, to provide reassurance to the patient that the device is functioning as it should be and to make any adjustments to improve the efficiency of the device.

ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) is an electrical-pulse generator which is implanted in hearts of patients who are at risk of sudden cardiac death due to onset of certain heart conditions. This device detects and monitor the patient's heart rhythm and also provide some treatment, if needed.
CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy), also known as biventricular pacemaker, is a pacemaker that when implanted, paces both sides of the heart's left ventricle, which enables heart that don't bit in synchrony, a condition that happens in many heart failures, to bit in synchrony again.