Heart Rhythm Disorders
A heart rhythm disorder, known as an arrhythmia, is characterized by abnormal heart beat - too fast, too slow or uneven. Many arrhythmias don't pose a serious health danger, but for patients who require treatment, arrhythmia specialists at ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte have provide advanced care.
Arrhythmia specialists utilize technology to measure the heart's electrical activity and identify damage to the heart. Doctors use tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), or a Holter monitor, which records heart activity over a period of time, to diagnose arrhythmias.
Depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia, there are a range of treatment options. We provide arrhythmia treatment from lifestyle-modification assistance to complex surgical treatment. Our services include:
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Ablation for atrial fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and involves the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. During ablation, thin, flexible tubes are introduced through a blood vessel and directed to the heart muscle. A burst of electrical energy is administered to destroy tissue that triggers abnormal electrical signals or to block abnormal electrical pathways.
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Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) - ICDs are small battery-powered electrical impulse generators which are implanted in patients who are at risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation. The devices are programmed to detect cardiac arrhythmia and correct it by delivering a jolt of electricity.
- Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) – This implant is an innovative alternative for patients with non-valvular AFib at risk for a stroke. The device closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced and, over time, patients may be able to stop taking blood thinners. Learn more about one patient's experience here.
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Pacemakers - A pacemaker is a device that sends small electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate or to stimulate the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). A pacemaker may also be used to treat fainting spells (syncope), congestive heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The types of pacemakers are single chamber, dual chamber and biventricular. Your doctor will decide what type of pacemaker you need based on your heart condition. Your doctor also determines the minimum rate (lowest heart rate) to set your pacemaker. When your heart rate drops below the set rate, the pacemaker generates (fires) an impulse that passes through the lead to the heart muscle. This causes the heart muscle to contract, creating a heartbeat.
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Radiofrequency ablation - This procedure treats rapid or irregular heartbeats. It involves using mild, painless radiofrequency energy to destroy cells in the heart that are creating the extra impulses causing the irregular rhythms.