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19
Dec

Bradycardia Part III of III

Using the ACLS Bradycardia Algorithm for Managing Bradycardia The ACLS Bradycardia Algorithm outlines the steps for assessing and managing a patient who presents with symptomatic bradycardia. It begins with the decision that the patient’s heart rate is < 60 bpm and that is the reason for the patient’s symptoms. Steps Decision: Heart rate is < [...]

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26
Sep

Ablation Part II

There are a many types of ablations available to patients with abnormal heart rhythms. Atrial fibrillation ablation Pulmonary vein isolation – Most atrial fibrillation (AFib) signals originate in the pulmonary veins.  Ablations are performed to create many lesions (scars) to form a circular scar around the four pulmonary veins during this procedure.  The scar thereby blocks any impulses firing from within the pulmonary veins [...]

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22
Sep

Ablation Part I

A normal heartbeat is controlled by a regular and constant flow of electricity all through the heart.   A short circuit at any location along this electrical pathway can disrupt the normal flow of signals, causing an arrhythmia (ie. an irregular heartbeat).   Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to destroy these short-circuits and [...]

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18
Sep

Cardioversion Part II

Cardioversion Part II of II   Electrical cardioversion–Known as “direct-current” or DC cardioversion, a perfectly timed, synchronized electrical shock is delivered through the chest wall to the heart through paddles or special electrodes that are applied to the skin of the chest and back.   The procedure disrupts the abnormal electrical circuits in the heart; [...]

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14
Sep

Cardioversion Part I

Cardioversion Part I of II   Cardioversion is a quick, corrective, procedure where an electrical shock is applied to the heart to convert an abnormal heart rhythm into normal sinus rhythm.   Elective or “non-emergency” cardioversions are mostly performed to treat atrial flutter (AFL) or atrial fibrillation (A Fib), non-life threatening abnormal rhythms that originate in the top portion [...]

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10
Sep

Treatment for Arrhythmias Part II of II

Devices for Heart Failure – A cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device is a special pacemaker for patients with heart failure.   The implanted device paces the left and right ventricles together.   This helps to resynchronize muscle contractions and improve the efficiency of a weakened heart. Cardioversion – Cardioversion is when an electrical shock is given to the heart to convert an abnormal rhythm back to [...]

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07
Sep

Treatment for Arrhythmias Part I of II

Treatment for Arrhythmias To select the best treatment plan it is important to know the underlying cause of the heart rhythm disorder.   In general, it is best to treat with the least invasive option that effectively controls the heart rhythm disorder.  There are several options for treatment.   Listed below are treatment options from the least [...]

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04
Sep

Bradycardia Part II of III

First-degree heart block:  The electrical impulses slow down as they pass through the conduction system, but the signals all eventually and successfully reach the ventricles.   First-degree heart block infrequently causes problems or symptoms.  Trained athletes may have first-degree heart block.   Some medications are known to cause this condition and treatment is generally not needed.   Second-degree heart block (Type [...]

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01
Sep

Bradycardia Part I of III

A slow heartbeat (heart rate) is called bradycardia and is an arrhythmia, or a heart rhythm disorder.   A normal heart beats about 100,000 times per day, at a usual rate between 60 to 100 times per minute.   Changes in heart rate caused by diet, activity, age and medications are common and normal.   What [...]

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28
Aug

Skipped Heart Beats

Skipped Beats and Extra Heart Beats It is interesting that both extra heart beats/palpitations and skipped beats are typically due to the same cause: the regular heart rhythm is interrupted by a premature or early beat.   When the premature beat arises in the atria (upper heart chambers), it is called a premature atrial contraction (PAC). [...]

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