This is the fifth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on what are the most common supraventricular (top-chamber) tachycardias (SVT). We will be discussing a variety of the more common SVT seen in clinical practice and clinical scenarios are used to introduce the listener to these types of arrhythmias. A brief outline includes:
Premature atrial contractions
AV-node reentrant tachycardia
AV reentrant tachycardia
Atrial tachycardia
Atrial flutter
Atrial fibrillation (will be discussed in great detail in podcast 6)
Electrocardiograms of Common Arrhythmias. Panel A, shows normal sinus rhythm, which is the heart’s baseline rhythm; the tall, narrow spikes are the QRS complexes. Panel B shows what a supraventricular tachycardia (in this case, atrioventricular nodal tachycardia) looks like; notice how narrow the QRS complex is. Panel C shows atrial fibrillation with the very irregular-appearing QRS complexes. Panel D shows ventricular tachycardia; note the very wide QRS complexes, especially when compared to the narrow QRS complexes after the VT stops. The main difference between SVT and VT is the wide QRS complexes, but some SVTs may have wide QRS complexes (this is called aberrancy). Panel E shows atrial flutter, which has a “sawtooth” appearance of the baseline between QRS complexes. Atrial flutter is treated using the same techniques and medicines as those for atrial fibrillation.
Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias?
Treatment Options for Arrhythmias
The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure
Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
This is the fourth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on what to expect during a visit with the heart rhythm specialist. We will be discussing the information we hope to glean from the patient during our initial visit and what may help us determine if one is at risk for heart rhythm disorders. A brief outline includes:
History of present illness
Past medical and surgical history
Social history
Family history
Physical exam (including vital signs)
Pertinent studies
Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:
What Are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias?
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias?
Treatment Options for Arrhythmias
The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure
Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
The third podcast in the What are Palpitations? series focuses on what tools/techniques your care providers have to diagnose abnormal heart rhythms. A brief outline includes:
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
Twenty-four-hour Holter monitor
Two- to four-week outpatient telemetry monitor
Hospital telemetry
Smartphone-based applications
Tilt-table test
Implantable loop recorders
Summary
Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:
Work-up and Evaluation of Heart-Rhythm Disorders (Meeting the Heart-Rhythm Physician)
What Are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias?
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias?
Treatment Options for Arrhythmias
The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure
Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
This second podcast in the What are Palpitations? series focuses on palpitations and other symptoms that may represent heart-rhythm abnormalities. A brief outline includes:
Introduction
What is a normal heart rhythm?
What are abnormal heart rhythms?
What are palpitations?
Other symptoms that may represent heart-rhythm abnormalities
Know your ejection fraction
What are ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia?
Is there a difference between atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation?
Congestive heart failure and risk of arrhythmia
Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:
How Are Heart-Rhythm Abnormalities Diagnosed?
Work-up and Evaluation of Heart-Rhythm Disorders (Meeting the Heart-Rhythm Physician)
What Are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias?
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias?
Treatment Options for Arrhythmias
The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure
Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
Thousands of patients every year are admitted to hospitals because of irregular, fast, or strong heartbeats. For the portion that will eventually be diagnosed with a heart condition, there are important choices to make moving forward. But there is rarely time in a short doctor’s visit to go over all the details.
The Heart Rhythm Center’s podcast What are Palpitations? serves as a comprehensive overview fills that information gap by imparting everything there is to know about abnormal heart rhythms through all stages of care. Dr. Jeffrey L. Williams, MD, MS, FACC, FHRS, CPE, has worked to provide patients with complete information. There are various types of arrhythmias, and the benefits and risks of treatments for each will vary for each individual patient. Patients, as well as their families, need a thorough understanding to make a fully informed decision.
Along with types of treatments, Dr. Williams discusses what is happening on a physiological level and explains the full evaluation process that doctors use. His knowledge, gained over years of study and practice, offers the what, why, and how of this medical issue, so anyone can make the best decisions for the health of his or her family.
Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:
Palpitations and Other Symptoms That May Represent Heart-Rhythm Abnormalities (Arrhythmias)
How Are Heart-Rhythm Abnormalities Diagnosed?
Work-up and Evaluation of Heart-Rhythm Disorders (Meeting the Heart-Rhythm Physician)
What Are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias?
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias?
Treatment Options for Arrhythmias
The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure
Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
Heart Rhythm Center 