Arrhythmia Management
The pumping of the heart is controlled by the heart’s electrical system. When patients have an abnormal heart rhythm, it’s called an arrhythmia.
The electrical signals in the heart become disorganized, which causes the heart to beat too fast, too slow, and/or irregularly.
Over time, certain arrhythmias can cause the overall function of the heart to worsen. This may increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. Both of these issues may ultimately lead to heart failure or buildup of fluid in the lungs.
Heart arrhythmias can be caused by a number of factors. The right choice of therapy is based on both the individual patient and the type of rhythm disorder bring treated.
Ablation Therapy
This is a nonsurgical procedure in which tiny areas of heart tissue that are creating the abnormal electrical pulses — the cause of abnormal heart rhythms — are scarred. This prevents them from sending abnormal signals.
HIS Bundle Pacing
This involves a special implantation of a standard pacemaker lead, which will help maintain the normal mechanical contraction of the heart.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) and Management
ICDs are implanted through a small incision near the collarbone or on the left side of the chest to detect life-threatening heart rhythms. The ICD will provide a jolt of electricity (or shock) to restore the heart’s normal rhythm and prevent sudden cardiac arrest. This may require an overnight hospital stay.
Laser Lead Extractions
Pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) may require removal in some cases. Reasons for removing a device may include, but are not limited to, infection, incorrect lead positioning, lead failure (meaning the device fails to transmit electrical signals between the pacemaker and the heart) or the desire to upgrade to a newer device. Lead extraction can be a complex procedure that requires an overnight stay in the hospital.
Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Devices (WATCHMAN®)
LAAC devices are used for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) who are not candidates for long-term blood thinner use. Inserting the LAAC device involves a catheter-based procedure with access through the groin to close off left atrial appendage, the area of the heart where clots can form. This procedure requires an overnight stay in the hospital.
Pacemaker Implantation and Management
Some patients who have slow heart rhythms may require a device to maintain a good heart rate. A small electrical device called a pacemaker is implanted in the body under the skin to send out an electrical signal to the heart to keep a steady rhythm. Alternatively, a “leadless” pacemaker can be inserted through a vein in the groin to the heart to regulate the heart rate
