The heart’s electrical impulses can degenerate over time or develop sudden abnormalities. Arrhythmias can develop from this degeneration which result in either fast or slow heart rates. Our physicians can isolate where in the heart the abnormal rhythm occurs and utilize the best treatment options. These options may consist of inpatient and outpatient treatment to include:

Inplantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) - This is an electrical device that continuously monitors our heartbeat and is implanted inside of the body, usually under the skin in the upper chest area just below the collarbone. When the device senses a dangerous rapid heart rhythm, it delivers one or more pulses or shocks to the heart and restores a more normal heart rhythm.

An ICD may be a treatment option following a cardiac arrest or a rapid heart rhythm problem that could lead to cardiac arrest. Placement of an ICD may allow a patient a better quality of life and provides prevention from unexpected sudden collapse.

Pacemaker Insertion - The pacemaker is a lightweight, electronic device that monitors the heart’s electrical activity and delivers electrical pulses, as the heart needs them. If the pacemaker senses that the heart is beating too slowly or pauses for too long, the pacemaker stimulates the heart with precisely timed electrical pulses. The pacemaker is implanted into the body, usually beneath the skin in the upper chest just below the collarbone.

Radio-Frequency Ablation - This is an invasive technique, which eliminates abnormal electrical pathways, that cause rapid heart rhythm. During this treatment, an electrode catheter is inserted into the heart. The catheter is positioned so that it lies close to the abnormal electrical pathway and then radio-frequency energy passes through the catheter. The tip of the catheter heats up in order to eliminate small areas of the heart tissue that contain the abnormal electrical pathway. If successful, radio-frequency ablation may cure the problem of a rapid heart rhythm.

For further patient information please visit http://hrsonline.org/PatientInfo/