sick sinus syndrome?

Question

My mother is suffering from alternating slow and fast heart beats .The doctors diagnosis was sick sinus syndrome .Surgery was performed and she was fitted with a pace maker to regulate her heartbeat and medicines as well .Since then she never recovered fully and recently she was laid up in bed for ten days in pain and completely fatigued . We are from Assam. Does anyone know a good heart surgeon or heart hospital in India ? Please recommend .if there are doctors online can you please suggest what further action should be taken ?

Answer 1

Alternative names
Bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome; Sinus node dysfunction

Definition Return to top

Sick sinus syndrome is a collection of heart rhythm disorders that include:

* Sinus bradycardia -- slow heart rates due to a slowing of your heart's own natural pacemaker
* Tachycardias -- fast heart rates
* Bradycardia-tachycardia -- alternating slow and fast heart rhythms

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Overall, sick sinus syndrome is relatively uncommon. Among the various forms of sick sinus syndrome, sinus bradycardia occurs more often than the other types.

Tachycardias that arise from the upper chambers of the heart (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter/tachycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia) are also common forms. A period of elevated heart rates is typically followed by very slow heart rates when the tachycardia ends.

Abnormal heart rhythms are often worsened by medications such as digitalis, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and anti-arrhythmics. Disorders that cause scarring, degeneration, or damage to the conduction system of the heart can cause sick sinus syndrome.

Sick sinus syndrome usually occurs in people older than 50, in whom the cause is often a non-specific, scar-like degeneration of the heart's conduction system.

In children, a common cause of sick sinus syndrome is heart surgery, especially on the upper chambers.

Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and aortic and mitral valve diseases may be associated with sick sinus syndrome, although those diseases may have nothing to do with the syndrome.

Symptoms Return to top

* Fainting or near-fainting
* Dizziness or light-headedness
* Confusion or other changes in mental status
* Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
* Chest pain or angina
* Shortness of breath
* Fatigue

Usually, no symptoms occur.

Signs and tests Return to top

The symptoms are non-specific and may mimic other disorders. The patient's heart rate may be very slow at any time. Blood pressure may be normal or low.

Sick sinus syndrome may cause symptoms of heart failure to occur or worsen. Sick sinus syndrome is diagnosed when the symptoms occur only during episodes of arrhythmia. However, this often is difficult to prove.

An ECG may show various arrhythmias characteristic of sick sinus syndrome. Exercise testing has not proven particularly effective as a screening tool.

Holter monitoring is an effective tool for diagnosing sick sinus syndrome because of the episodic nature of the disorder. Extremely slow heart rate and prolonged pauses may be seen during Holter monitoring, along with episodes of atrial tachycardias. An EPS (intracardiac electrophysiology study) is a very specific test for this disorder, although it is often unable to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Return to top

If the disorder is not causing symptoms, treatment may not be necessary. Your doctor may evaluate any medications you are taking to make sure they are not worsening your condition. Do not stop taking any medication unless instructed by your doctor.

A permanent implanted pacemaker may be necessary when it has been established that the symptoms are related to bradycardia (slow heart rate).

Any associated tachycardia (a fast heart rate) may be treated with medications. The person will be protected from symptomatic bradycardia by a permanent implanted pacemaker. Sometimes a catheter procedure called radiofrequency ablation is used to eliminate tachycardias.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

This syndrome is slowly progressive. As long as the person remains without symptoms, no treatment is necessary. If a permanent pacemaker is implanted, the long-term outlook is excellent.

Complications

* Inadequate heart pumping
* Heart failure
* Falls or injury caused by fainting
* Angina

Answer 2

There are many good cardiac surgeons in India, but you will have to mention the state too where you want her to be treated.
* Ruby Hall Clinic - Pune based multi-specialty hospital offering IVF, cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, neurology and kidney transplant services

* BBC Heart Care Hospital - Treatment for heart related ailments

* BM Hegde - Cardiologist and Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education

* CardioValens - Online cardiology consulting

* DIAL 105 - Offers free emergency first aid for heart attacks

* Escorts Heart Research Center - Super specialty cardiac hospital

* Harvey Heart Hospital - Cardiac surgery & ancillary services

* IndianHeart.com - Cardiac care services

* Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases - Specializes in cardiology & cardiac surgery

* Jeyalakshmi Heart Centre - Heart care centre

* Krishna Heart Institute - Cardiac care centre

* Narayana Hrudayalaya - Super specialty heart hospital

* Sibia Medical Centre - Heart treatment through Artery Clearance Therapy

* Trichur Heart Hospital - Super specialty heart hospital

THE ABOVE LINK I HAVE SEARCHED OUT FOR YOU, MIGHT HELP YOU OUT.