Best Arrhythmia surgery Doctors

The most serious type of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation, which is an irregular and uncontrolled heartbeat. Several impulses begin to raise at the same time from different places signaling the heart to beat. The result is very fast and chaotic, sometimes causing the heart to beat 300 beats per minute. This chaotic heartbeat means that too little blood is pumped from the heart to the brain & body resulting in seizures to occur. Immediate medical attention can be required if the patient’s condition is worsened. If cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be started, or if electrical energy is used to “shock” the heart to a normal rate, the heart may not be severely damaged. Patient’s with a history of heart disease or stroke have an increased risk of ventricular fibrillation.

Treatment of slow heartbeat:

If there is no known cause that can be corrected to speed up the heartbeat, doctors often treat bradycardia (slow heartbeat) with a pacemaker because there are no medications that can reliably speed up the heartbeat.

Treatment of rapid heartbeat:

For tachycardia (fast heartbeat), the following treatments methods can be included:

• Vagal maneuvers: Supraventricular tachycardia is a type of arrhythmia which initiates above the lower part of the heart because of maneuvers such as holding the breath, dipping the face in ice, or coughing. These maneuvers affect the nervous system that controls the heart rate (vagus nerve) often slowing the heart rate. However, vagal maneuvers do not work for all types of arrhythmias.
• Medications: For many types of tachycardia, medications may be prescribed to control the heart rate or restore a normal heart rhythm. It is important to take any antiarrhythmic medication prescribed by the doctor to reduce complications. If a patient is suffering from atrial fibrillation, the doctor may prescribe blood thinning medications that prevent the formation of serious blood clots.
• Cardioversion: If a person has atrial fibrillation, the doctor may use cardioversion, which can be performed either by a procedure or through medications. During this procedure, shock is delivered to the heart by paddles or patches on the chest. The current affects the electrical impulses in the heart and can restore a normal rhythm.
• Catheter ablation: During this procedure, the doctor will insert one or more catheters into the heart through blood vessels. The electrodes on the ends of the catheter can use heat, extreme cold, or radiofrequency energy to damage or shrink a small area of ​​heart tissue (that causes arrhythmia) and create an electrical blockage.

Implantable devices

The use of implantable devices in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia may also include:

• Pacemaker: A pacemaker is a small device that is implanted near the collarbone. One or more electrode leads run from the pacemaker through the blood vessels to the heart. If the heart rate is too slow or stops, the pacemaker sends out electrical impulses that make the heartbeat at a steady rate.
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD): The doctor may recommend this device if a patient is at risk of developing a fast or irregular heartbeat in the lower part of the heart (ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation). If an individual is in sudden cardiac arrest or has certain heart conditions that increase the risk, the doctor may recommend an ICD. 

Surgery or Other procedures

In some cases, surgery can be recommended or ideal treatment for cardiac arrhythmia. These include:

Maze procedure: During the maze procedure, a surgeon will make a series of surgical incisions in the heart tissue at the top of the heart to create a pattern or maze of scar tissue. As the scar tissue does not conduct electricity, it interferes with stray electrical impulses that cause certain types of arrhythmias. This procedure is effective, but because it requires surgery, it is usually suggested for people who do not respond to other treatments or for those who are having heart surgery because of other medical conditions.

Coronary bypass surgery: If a patient has severe coronary artery disease in addition to arrhythmia, the doctor may perform coronary bypass surgery. This procedure may improve the blood flow to the heart.

Certain medications are used to control abnormal heart rhythms, yet ablation procedures can completely cure some types of arrhythmia. After the treatment, with ablation or continued medication, most patients with problems in the heart rhythm can return to their normal activities.

Heart palpitations can cause rapid heartbeat, tingling sensation in the chest or a pounding heart. While medical help or assistance can be necessary, some home remedies can help to cease palpitations and prevent the worsening of patient’s condition.

Some of the methods that can stop palpitations include:

• Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, etc.
• Reduce or eliminate stimulant intake such as tobacco products, high blood pressure medications etc.
• Stimulate the vagus nerve.
• Keep electrolytes balanced.
• Keep hydrated.
• Avoid excessive alcohol use.
• Exercise regularly.

Some arrhythmias can increase the risk of developing other heart conditions such as:

• Stroke: Cardiac arrhythmia increases the risk of blood clots. If a clot breaks, it can travel from the heart to the brain. There it blocks blood flow, causing a stroke. If a patient is 65 years of age or older along with heart problems, then there is an increasing the risk of stroke.
• Heart failure: Bradycardia, tachycardia, or atrial fibrillation can cause the heart to stop if the heart is pumping inefficiently for a long time. Sometimes, controlling the heart rate can improve heart function preventing the cause of heart failure.