Simple surgery to correct rapid heart beat?

Question

This is a minimal invasive surgery that corrects the electroids causing a rapid heartbeat.

If you have any information about this surgery, please advise.

Answer 1

In some cases it is necessary to have a procedure called an ablation. In basic terms the doctor burns out an extra electrical path in your hearts electrical system that is causing the fast heart beat. It is done by passing a catheter from your groin to the necessary area on your heart. It is usually done as a day procedure. Whilst there are risks to all invasive procedures this procedure has few risks and the benefits could be huge if you are symptomatic with the fast heart beat.

Answer 2

My mum suffered from rapid heartbeat and had a special pacemaker fitted that keeps it regular. its worked fine for years.

Answer 3

get two more medical opinions before you do this. sounds unnessecary.

there is nothing minimal about any surgery. Make sure this is really nessesary first.

Answer 4

Eat less animal fat such as cheese, eggs and meat.

Answer 5

Yes there is an implant defibrillator which I will recommend for you here is the detail:



Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

Definition:

An ICD is an electronic device that constantly monitors your heart rate and rhythm. When it detects a very fast, abnormal heart rhythm, it delivers energy to the heart muscle. This causes the heart to beat in a normal rhythm again.

The ICD has two parts: the leads and a pulse generator.


How an ICD works

The ICD is an amazing little computer. It monitors the heart rhythm, identifies abnormal heart rhythms, and determines the appropriate therapy to return your heartbeat to a normal heart rhythm. Your doctor programs the ICD to include one or all of the following functions:

* Anti-tachycardia Pacing (ATP) – When the heart beats too fast, a series of small electrical impulses are delivered to the heart muscle to restore a normal heart rate and rhythm.
* Cardioversion – A low energy shock is delivered at the same time as your heartbeat to restore a normal heart rhythm.
* Defibrillation – When the heart is beating dangerously fast, a high-energy shock is delivered to the heart muscle to restore a normal rhythm.
* Bradycardia pacing – When the heart beats too slow, small electrical impulses are sent to stimulate the heart muscle to maintain a suitable heart rate.

Why you need an ICD

ICDs are used for:

* people who have had an episode of sudden cardiac death or ventricular fibrillation
* people who have had a heart attack and are at high risk for sudden cardiac death
* people who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and are at high risk
* people with at least one episode of ventricular tachycardia

To prepare for an ICD:

* ask your doctor what medications you are allowed to take. Your doctor may ask you to stop certain medications one to five days before your test (such as aspirin products). If you are diabetic, ask your doctor how you should adjust your diabetic medications.
* do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your test. If you must take medications, drink only with a sip of water.
* when you come to the hospital, wear comfortable clothes. You will change into a hospital gown for the procedure. Leave all jewelry or valuables at home.

What to expect:

* You will lie on a bed and the nurse will start an intravenous line (IV) into your arm or hand. This is so you may receive medications and fluids during the procedure. You will be given an antibiotic to prevent infection and a medication through your IV to relax you and make you drowsy, but it will not put you to sleep.
* The nurse will connect you to several monitors. The monitors allow the doctor and nurse to check your heart rhythm, blood pressure and other measurements during the pacemaker implant.
* Your left or right side of your body, from your neck to your groin will be shaved and cleansed with a special soap. Sterile drapes are used to cover you from your neck to your feet. A strap will be placed across your waist and arms to prevent your hands from coming in contact with the sterile field.

The ICD may be implanted in two ways:

Endocardial (transvenous) approach most common

* A small incision is made under the collar bone
* Lead is placed into a vein and guided inside your heart chamber
* generator is placed under skin in upper chest and attached to the lead(s).



On rare occasion, it may be necessary for your doctor to implant your ICD by epicardial approach (outside your heart). this requires open heart surgery. Instead of placing the lead through a vein and guiding it to the heart, it is sewn onto the heart. Your doctor will decide if this approach is necessary for you.

The ICD implant takes about two to five hours to perform.

After the procedure:

* Hospital stay: you will be admitted to the hospital for about one to three days. The nurses will monitor your heart rate and rhythm. The length of your hospital stay depends on the type of ICD procedure you had. The morning after your implant, you will have an EKG, blood tests and a chest x-ray to ensure the leads and/or patches and ICD is in the proper position. You will also go to the electrophysiology lab to have your ICD checked. This will involve testing the ICD and programming it to your needs.

* Wound care: keep your wound clean and dry. After five days, you may take a shower. Look at your wound every day to make sure it is healing. Call your doctor if you notice:
o Redness
o Swelling
o Drainage
o Fever
o Chills

You will have a slight bulge under the skin where the generator is located. It will not be noticeable under clothes. If the ICD implant is in your abdomen, avoid wearing tight fitting clothing or tight belts so your wounds will not be irritated.

* ICD Identification: You will be given information about:
o the type of ICD and leads you have
o the date of implant
o the doctor who implanted them.

In about three months you will receive a permanent card from the company. It is important that you carry this card at all times in case you need medical attention.

* Activity: you may move your arm normally. You can do most activities when you return home.
o Avoid lifting objects that weigh more than 20 pounds or pushing or pulling heavy objects.
o If you had heart surgery, it may take longer to get back to some activities.
o Your doctor or nurse will discuss specific activities with you before you leave the hospital.

* Electrical interference: most electrical devices, such as microwave ovens, do not interfere with ICD function. You need to avoid strong electric or magnetic fields such as:

o Some industrial equipment, high output ham radios, high intensity radiowaves (found near large electrical generators, power plants or radiofrequency transmission towers), and arc or resistance welders

Stay at arm’s length away from less powerful electric or magnetic fields such as:

o Large magnets, stereo speakers, airport security wands, antennas used in ham or CB radios.

o Cellular phones should kept at least 6 inches from your ICD and not on the same side as your ICD.

Do not undergo any tests that require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). You may have CT ("CAT") scans done if necessary

If you have concerns about your job or activities, ask your doctor.

* ICD therapy: You may or may not be aware of when your ICD detects and corrects your heart rhythm. Often it depends on the type of therapy you receive:

o Pacing – you may or may not feel the impulses – usually they are not detectable
o Cardioversion – shock feels like a thump on the chest; discomfort does not linger
o Defibrillation – you may be unconscious (passed out) and not feel the shock. If you are awake, the shock feels like a kick in the chest; felt for only a moment.

If you receive a shock:

* Stay calm. Sit or lie down.
* Ask someone to stay with you.
* If you do not feel well after the shock, call your doctor or an ambulance (Dial 911 in most areas).
* If you feel fine after the shock, you do not need to seek immediate medical attention. Call your doctor within 24 hours.

If someone is touching you when the ICD fires, they may feel a tingling feeling. This is not harmful to them.

* Follow-up: Regular follow-up is important after an ICD implant. Your doctor will tell you how often you will need to have the ICD checked. During ICD checks, the doctor will determine if the ICD had detected or treated any abnormal heart rhythms and will check the ICD battery. These visits are very important. You will also need to see a cardiologist at least once a year.

Click here to:

* Learn more about abnormal heart rhythms
* Find a Cleveland Clinic Heart Center doctor who performs this procedure

Sending you the link so you can understand it:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/tests/procedures/icd.htm