Arrhythmia Surgery-Hybrid Treatment

A heart arrhythmia is when the heart beats too slowly, too quickly or with an irregular rhythm. An arrhythmia is classified according to the area of the heart from which it originates and how it affects the heart rate:

  • Bradycardia. This type is a slow heartbeat with a resting rate of fewer than 60 beats a minute.
  • Tachycardia. This type is a fast heartbeat with a resting rate greater than 100 beats per minute.

The heart has four chambers. The upper two chambers are called atria and receive blood into the heart. The lower two are called ventricles and pump blood from the heart. Arrhythmia can start in either location.

The Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute electrophysiologists stay at the forefront of technology and surgical techniques to ensure you receive the best treatments possible for arrhythmia with the quickest possible recovery.

Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia

Sinus tachycardia is an overly fast heart rhythm. The condition may be the natural result of several known causes, including strenuous activity, illness or extreme emotion. In those cases, the condition is called normal sinus tachycardia.

Sinus tachycardia that occurs with no known cause is called inappropriate sinus tachycardia. The condition causes a rapid heart rate without any related physical activity.

Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is an overly fast heart rate that originates from the ventricles. It occurs most commonly when the heart's muscle is damaged. The resulting scar tissue creates abnormal electrical pathways in the ventricles.

Brugada Syndrome

Brugada Syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that disrupts the heart's normal rhythm and causes irregular heartbeats in the heart's lower chambers. The condition prevents proper blood circulation and may cause health complications ranging from fainting spells to death.

Treatment Options

Treatment for arrhythmia disorders varies according to the severity of the condition. Mild cases can often be treated successfully with medication and lifestyle changes. When the arrhythmia is more severe, a process called ablation may be used to remove the portion of the heart that is causing the irregular heartbeats. We offer the following treatments:

  • Medication. Prescription medication can change the heart’s signals and prevent rapid or irregular heart rhythms.
  • Radiofrequency ablation. Also called catheter ablation, this procedure uses radiofrequency energy similar to microwave energy to destroy the heart tissue causing the inappropriately rapid heart rate.
  • Cryoablation. A procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy the portions of the heart responsible for the arrhythmia.
  • mplantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). A pacemaker that is implanted in the chest to deliver electrical impulses and restore a regular heartbeat.