Managing Heart Rhythm Disorders

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a procedure to implant a device in the chest to make the heart's chambers squeeze (contract) in a more organized and efficient way. A device called a biventricular pacemaker, also known as a cardiac resynchronization device, sends electrical signals to both lower chambers of the heart (right and left ventricles). The signals trigger the ventricles to contract in a coordinated way, which improves the pumping of blood out of the heart. Sometimes the device also contains an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which can deliver an electrical shock to reset a dangerous heart rhythm. These devices are placed under the skin with minor surgery.

Catheter ablation is a procedure performed to reproduce and identify abnormal heart rhythms. This allows clinicians to destroy the area of abnormal electrical tissue causing the arrhythmia. The arrythmia team at Trinity Health Of New England has extensive experience performing cardiac ablations for many different arrhythmias, including atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a surgically implanted small electronic device with a primary function of preventing sudden cardiac death. This device monitors each heartbeat and if it detects a dangerously fast, critical heart rhythm, it will give a life-saving shock to restore the normal rhythm. Some common reasons for ICD placement include:

• Serious arrhythmia not controlled by medication
• Underlying heart disease
• Hereditary predisposition to dangerous arrhythmias

• Cardiac Rehab
• Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Losing weight
• Limiting alcohol
• Treating sleep apnea

Doctors may recommend medications based on the type of arrythmia being treated, medical history and current medications and medical conditions.

A pacemaker may be implanted permanently to correct a chronic slow or irregular heartbeat or to help treat heart failure. A pacemaker is a small device placed under the skin. There are many conditions that may cause the heart rate to slow down, and it becomes unable to pump blood through the body efficiently. In these cases, a pacemaker may be recommended.