Prof. from Memorial Şişli Hospital Cardiology Department. Dr. Sabri Demircan gave information about heart rhythm disorder and treatment methods.
The most common complaint in rhythm disorder is palpitation.
Stating that the rhythm disorder, also called arrhythmia, is the deterioration of the regular heartbeat, Prof. Dr. Sabri Demircan said, “The rhythm disturbance can be in the form of a decrease in the pulse (bradycardia) or an increase in the pulse (tachycardia). It can also be seen in the form of palpitations called extrasystole, which is known as misfire in the community and is a very common cause of complaints. The first complaint of patients with rhythm disorder is palpitation. Palpitation is defined as feeling the person's heartbeat, and the heart can beat slowly, forcefully, fast or irregularly. Palpitations may begin and end abruptly while the patient is at rest, regardless of movement. Depending on the type and severity of the rhythm disorder, complaints such as low blood pressure, weakness, fatigue and even fainting can be seen. For the diagnosis of arrhythmia, a detailed examination is performed first and help can be obtained from laboratory tests. It is possible to diagnose arrhythmia with ECG, Echocardiography and 24-hour Rhythm Holter follow-up. Treatment is shaped according to these data.” he said.
Interventional methods can be applied to arrhythmias where the drug is insufficient
prof. Dr. Mentioning that many arrhythmias can be so innocent that they do not require treatment, Sabri Demircan said, “In cases where the person feels very uncomfortable, rhythm disorder can be treated with medication. In rhythm disturbances that can cause life-threatening rhythm, pacemakers with shock delivery feature may be required. In people with rhythm disorders, the diagnosis and treatment method can be determined by a process called electrophysiological study. It is an interventional method, which is generally performed by entering the leg veins and reaching the heart by passing through the veins and placing thin cables called electrode catheters into the heart. Electrical signals received directly from the heart are evaluated by advanced computers and deviations from normal are investigated. If the arrhythmia is caused by disruptions and malfunctions in the electrical circuit of the heart, an electrode, that is, a pacemaker, is placed in the defective room. he said.
Blocking abnormal electrical signals in heart tissue
"Rhythm disorders that occur as a result of increased heart rate can be treated with drugs or ablation method," said Prof. Dr. Sabri Demircan continued his words as follows:
“If the patient has tachycardias that cannot be controlled with medication, catheter ablation may be recommended. Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive intervention that aims to stop the arrhythmia by destroying the electrical cells responsible for the arrhythmia. Ablation treatment is applied in cases where it is certain that the rhythm disorder in the heart is caused by excessive foci. The purpose of this procedure is to block abnormal electrical signals in the heart tissue. With the ablation method, these excess foci are removed. A variety of catheter ablation devices and techniques can be used. It is divided into two categories, heat-based radiofrequency (RF) ablation and cold-based cryoablation, depending on the type of energy applied.”
Return to daily life within a few days after ablation treatment
Emphasizing that the ablation method is performed with local anesthesia whenever possible, Prof. Dr. Sabri Demircan said, “The main purpose in this is to make patients experience rhythm disturbances somehow. A catheter is inserted through the veins in the groin or arm, up to the heart. After the area to be treated is numbed with a local injection, the procedure is applied. Since the procedure is performed through the groin, the patient may feel pain in the groin area for a few days. The patient can return to his daily life in a few days. If the patient smokes after arrhythmia ablation therapy, he or she should quit smoking. Excessive consumption of tea and coffee should be avoided. If there are concomitant diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes, control should be ensured. " said.