Heart failure is one of the most prevalent diseases in industrialized countries. Despite advances in pharmacologic therapy, morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure remain high. In recent years, the results of numerous clinical trials have led to the incorporation of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and biventricular pacing (or cardiac resynchronization therapy) into the management of patients with chronic heart failure. The purpose of this review, therefore, was to present a summary of currently available data on the use of these devices in everyday clinical practice.