Tag: tachycardia

What is Atrioventricular Nodal Tachycardia (AVNRT)?

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Atrioventricular nodal tachycardia (AVNRT) is one of the most common supra ventricular tachycardias (SVT) that we find during electrophysiology studies. Fifteen to thirty percent of the population has “dual AV-node physiology.” Most day-to-day conduction is from “fast” AV node pathway. Patients with “dual AV node physiology” may occasional use the “slow” AV node pathway and this can set up the reentrant arrhythmia.

Atrioventricular nodal tachycardia (AVNRT) is one of the most common arrhythmias. This short video gives an introduction to the mechanism and treatment options that are available.

Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

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This is the final podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and we will be discussing how patients can adjust to living with heart rhythm disorders. We will start with adjusting to life after being diagnosed with heart-rhythm abnormalities. Next, we’ll talk about the quality of life in heart-rhythm patients and how do arrhythmias affect you and your family. Arrhythmias in children and young adults can be challenging and we’ll spend time on this issue. Finally, we’ll examine patients that have palpitations without arrhythmias.

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center as we begin the new series What is a Defibrillator?

Postoperative Care following EP Studies

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This is the eleventh podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and we will be discussing the postoperative care following EP studies. We will cover care of the vascular access sites including showering/bathing restrictions. Other activity limitations including driving issues will be addressed. Finally, the first followup appointment after the EP study will be explained as well as lifestyle limitations that may be recommended.

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for the final podcast in the What are Palpitations? series: Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias.

Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations

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This is the tenth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and we will be discussing the complications that can occur during or after EP studies. We begin the discussion with an explanation of the types of complications and their treatment. We will end by discussing special EP studies and ablations that may have higher rates of complications and lower success rates.

Chest Radiograph Appearance of Large Pericardial Effusion after Cardiac Perforation. (A) Immediately following the implantation of a pacemaker, the chest x-ray (CXR) shows a normal appearance of the cardiac silhouette. (B) At two weeks postoperative, the CXR (performed because the patient reported symptoms of chest pressure) shows an enlarged cardiac silhouette. The patient responded to pericardiocentesis with no lead repositioning. (Figure originally published by Williams and Stevenson 2012.)

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts:

  • Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
  • Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure

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This is the ninth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the preparations necessary before proceeding with an electrophysiology study including elements of the preoperative workup. We will discuss the electrophysiology laboratory where the procedure is performed and steps involved in performing the procedure. We’ll talk about what happens if your doctor cannot find or ablate the arrhythmia as well as postoperative care. Finally, we will discuss advanced treatment options for atrial fibrillation. A brief outline includes:

  1. Preoperative risk assessment
  2. Use of contrast agents during EP studies or ablations
  3. Thyroid issues
  4. Allergies
  5. Registration and check-in
  6. Informed-consent process
  7. The procedure room
  8. The EP study
  9. How does the doctor place catheters inside the heart?
  10. What happens if my doctor cannot successfully find an arrhythmia?
  11. What happens if my doctor cannot successfully ablate the arrhythmia?
  12. Immediately after the EP study
  13. Day after the EP study
  14. Advanced treatment options for atrial fibrillation

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts:

Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

Treatment Options for Arrhythmias

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This is the eighth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the treatment options for arrhythmias. We will be discussing everything from lifestyle modifications that may help reduce arrhythmias as well as medications that are often used in arrhythmia treatment.  A brief outline includes:

  1. Lifestyle
  2. Can exercise cause heart-rhythm problems?
  3. Medications
  4. Anticoagulation
  5. Ablation
  6. Cardioversion

The Vaughan-Williams Classification (Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4) is a system used to classify antiarrhythmics based on their mechanism of action. This Table describes the different classes of antiarrhythmics and how they are used, as well as side effects.

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:

  • The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure
  • Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
  • Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
  • Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

What Are the Common Ventricular (Bottom-Chamber) Tachycardias?

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This is the sixth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the common ventricular arrhythmias that many patients may experience. We will be discussing premature ventricular contractions (called PVC’s) which are very common and thankfully usually quite harmless. We will also be discussing various types of ventricular tachycardias; many are easily treated though some may require defibrillator therapy. A brief outline includes:

  1. Premature ventricular contractions
  2. Ventricular tachycardia
  3. Non–coronary disease VT
  4. What are defibrillators?

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:

  • 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)
  • Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

 

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

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This is the sixth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on atrial fibrillation. We will be discussing the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice. The listener will be introduced to the mechanisms, causes of, and treatments for atrial fibrillation. There are extensive explanations about the noninvasive and invasive treatments available for atrial fibrillation. A brief outline includes:

  1. Normal electrical activation versus atrial fibrillation
  2. Signs and symptoms
  3. Causes of atrial fibrillation
  4. Understanding your risk of stroke
  5. Is there a difference between atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation?
  6. Is there a cure for atrial fibrillation?
  7. What is atrial flutter?

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts to include:

  • 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)
  • Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

 

What are the Common Supraventricular (Top-Chamber) Tachycardias?

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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:

  1. Premature atrial contractions
  2. AV-node reentrant tachycardia
  3. AV reentrant tachycardia
  4. Atrial tachycardia
  5. Atrial flutter
  6. 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)
  • Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

Work-up and Evaluation of Heart-Rhythm Disorders (Meeting the Heart Rhythm Physician)

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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:

  1. History of present illness
  2. Past medical and surgical history
  3. Social history
  4. Family history
  5. Physical exam (including vital signs)
  6. 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)
  • Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias