Group Six Presentation on Arrhythmia

8/2/2019 Group Six Presentation on Arrhythmia

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What is ArrhythmiaWhat is Arrhythmia

Heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) occur Heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) occur when the electrical impulses in your heart thatwhen the electrical impulses in your heart that

coordinate your heartbeats don't work properly,coordinate your heartbeats don't work properly,causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow or causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly.irregularly.



What causes ArrhythmiaWhat causes Arrhythmia

Scarring of heart tissue (such as from a heart attack)Scarring of heart tissue (such as from a heart attack)

Changes to your heart's structure, such as from cardiomyopathyChanges to your heart's structure, such as from cardiomyopathy

Blocked arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease)Blocked arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease)

High blood pressureHigh blood pressure DiabetesDiabetes

Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)

SmokingSmoking

Drinking too much alcohol or caffeineDrinking too much alcohol or caffeine

Drug abuseDrug abuse

StressStress MedicationsMedications

Dietary supplements and herbal treatmentsDietary supplements and herbal treatments

Electrical shockElectrical shock



What effect does it haveWhat effect does it have

on the body?on the body? Heart failureHeart failure, also known as congestive heart, also known as congestive heart

failure (CHF), means your heart can't pumpfailure (CHF), means your heart can't pump

enough blood to meet your body's needs.enough blood to meet your body's needs. Heart diseaseHeart disease is a broad term used to describeis a broad term used to describe

a range of diseases that affect your heart. Thea range of diseases that affect your heart. The

various diseases that fall under the umbrella of various diseases that fall under the umbrella of

heart disease include diseases of your bloodheart disease include diseases of your bloodvessels, such as coronary artery disease; heartvessels, such as coronary artery disease; heart

rhythm problems (arrhythmias).rhythm problems (arrhythmias).



How is it treated?How is it treated?

Treating slow heartbeatsTreating slow heartbeatsslow heartbeats (bradycardias) This is treatedslow heartbeats (bradycardias) This is treatedby a pace maker. A pacemaker is a small,by a pace maker. A pacemaker is a small,

batterybattery--powered device that's usuallypowered device that's usuallyimplanted near your collarbone. One or moreimplanted near your collarbone. One or moreelectrodeelectrode--tipped wires run from the pacemaker tipped wires run from the pacemaker through your blood vessels to your inner heart.through your blood vessels to your inner heart.If your heart rate is too slow or if it stops, theIf your heart rate is too slow or if it stops, the

pacemaker sends out electrical impulses thatpacemaker sends out electrical impulses thatstimulate your heart to beat at a steady, proper stimulate your heart to beat at a steady, proper rate.rate.



Medications.Medications.

Medications.Medications. Many types of tachycardiasMany types of tachycardiasrespond well to antirespond well to anti--arrhythmic medications.arrhythmic medications.Though they don't cure the problem, they canThough they don't cure the problem, they canreduce episodes of tachycardia or slow downreduce episodes of tachycardia or slow downthe heart when an episode occurs. Somethe heart when an episode occurs. Somemedications can slow down your heart somedications can slow down your heart somuch that you may need a pacemaker. It's verymuch that you may need a pacemaker. It's very

important to take any antiimportant to take any anti--arrhythmicarrhythmicmedication exactly as directed by your doctor,medication exactly as directed by your doctor,in order to avoid complications.in order to avoid complications.



Implantable DeviceImplantable Device

Pacemaker.Pacemaker. A pacemaker is an implantable device that helps A pacemaker is an implantable device that helpsregulate slow heartbeats (bradycardia). A small batteryregulate slow heartbeats (bradycardia). A small battery--drivendrivendevice is placed under the skin near the collarbone in a minor device is placed under the skin near the collarbone in a minor surgical procedure. An insulated wire extends from the device tosurgical procedure. An insulated wire extends from the device to

the right side of the heart, where it's permanently anchored.the right side of the heart, where it's permanently anchored. If a pacemaker detects a heart rate that's too slow or no heartbeatIf a pacemaker detects a heart rate that's too slow or no heartbeat

at all, it emits electrical impulses that stimulate your heart to speedat all, it emits electrical impulses that stimulate your heart to speedup or begin beating again. Most pacemakers have a sensingup or begin beating again. Most pacemakers have a sensingdevice that turns them off when your heartbeat is above a certaindevice that turns them off when your heartbeat is above a certainlevel. It turns back on when your heartbeat is too slow. Mostlevel. It turns back on when your heartbeat is too slow. Mostpeople stay in the hospital one to two days after a pacemaker ispeople stay in the hospital one to two days after a pacemaker is

implanted.implanted.



Surgical ProceduresSurgical Procedures

Maze procedure.Maze procedure. This involves making a series of This involves making a series of surgical incisions in the upper half of your heart (atria).surgical incisions in the upper half of your heart (atria).These heal into carefully placed scars in the atria thatThese heal into carefully placed scars in the atria that

form boundaries that force electrical impulses in your form boundaries that force electrical impulses in your heart to travel properly to cause the heart to beatheart to travel properly to cause the heart to beatefficiently. The procedure has a high success rate, butefficiently. The procedure has a high success rate, butbecause it requires openbecause it requires open--heart surgery, it's usuallyheart surgery, it's usuallyreserved for people who don't respond to other reserved for people who don't respond to other

treatments. The surgeon may use a cry probe antreatments. The surgeon may use a cry probe aninstrument for applying extreme cold to tissue or ainstrument for applying extreme cold to tissue or ahandhand--held radiofrequency probe, rather than a scalpel,held radiofrequency probe, rather than a scalpel,to create the scars.to create the scars.



Pace maker Pace maker

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Group Six Presentation on Arrhythmia