Normally this electrical impulse begins in the upper right chamber of the heart in the right atrium in a place called the sino-atrial SA node. The SA node is the natural pacemaker of the heart. The SA node gives off electrical impulses to generate a heartbeat in the range of 60 to times per minute. If you are exercising, doing strenuous work or you are under a lot of stress, your heart rate may be faster.
When you rest or sleep your heart rate will slow down. If you take certain medications, your heart rate may be slower. All of this is appropriate. It spreads throughout both the right and left atria causing them to contract evenly. When the impulse spreads over the right atrium it reaches the atrio-ventricular AV node. This is a very important structure in the heart because it is the only electrical connection between the top chambers and the bottom chambers. It is therefore the only way in which an electrical impulse can reach the pumping chambers the ventricles.
The impulse spreads through the AV node and down into the lower chambers or ventricles of the heart. This causes them to contract and pump blood to the lungs and body. Click to open image!
In some hearts, an abnormal heart rhythm develops when an electrical impulse either starts from a different location, other than the SA node, or follows a route or pathway that is not normally present. This is what happens in atrial fibrillation. Multiple electrical short circuits develop in the upper heart chambers as shown in the diagram below.
Atrial Fibrillation is due to multiple short circuits in the upper chambers of your heart termed the left and right atria. These rapid short circuits have several consequences:. Atrial fibrillation can be treated with medication.
In some people these medicines can be very effective. In others however, the medications are ineffective and may produce side effects. If you elect to take medication, your doctor will discuss the different options and the possible side effects of these medications. DC Shock. You receive a short general anaesthetic and the shock reverts the rhythm to normal in the majority of cases.
In addition, most patients will also require medication to try to prevent the fibrillation coming back. Blood Thinning medication. Because of the risk that atrial fibrillation may cause blood clots in the heart most patients with this heart rhythm disturbance will require blood-thinning medication to prevent blood clots forming. At your doctors discretion this may either be with aspirin or warfarin.
At the present time only very few patients with atrial fibrillation can be cured. Unfortunately, for the majority of patients with atrial fibrillation this is not possible at the present time. AV node ablation and pacemaker implantation is usually reserved for patients in whom all other treatments of atrial fibrillation have been ineffective. The first step is to implant the pacemaker. By itself the pacemaker will not improve the way you feel.
However, following this a special procedure called AV Node ablation sometimes also called His bundle ablation will be performed. This will prevent any of the electrical short-circuits in the atria from reaching the ventricles. The pacemaker will now have complete control of your heart rhythm.
The heart rhythm will be regular and will no longer race rapidly. What is involved in Pacemaker Implantation? Insertion of a pacemaker is a very common procedure. It is responsible for conducting electrical impulses from the top 2 chambers of the heart, the right and left atria, to the bottom 2 chambers of the heart, the right and left ventricles. Typically it is the only pathway electricity can travel to get from the top to the bottom of the heart.
Fortunately primary disorders of the AV node are uncommon in children. The most common problem associated with the AV node is called AV block. AV block refers to any form of impaired transfer of electricity through the AV node. This includes slower than normal transfer of electricity first degree AV block , as well as completely impaired transfer of electricity third-degree or complete AV block , as well as everything in between.
In many instances first degree AV block and certain types of second-degree AV block can be normal variants found in perfectly healthy individuals. Third degree AV block, or complete AV block complete heart block , is always abnormal. This is what happens in atrial fibrillation.
Multiple electrical short circuits develop in the upper heart chambers as shown in the diagram below. Atrial Fibrillation is due to multiple short circuits in the upper chambers of your heart termed the left and right atria. These rapid short circuits have several consequences:. Melbourne Heart Rhythm has an international reputation as one of the centers of excellence in cardiac arrhythmia research in Australasia and the world. Our friendly team are committed to providing excellence in patient care.
They are all well qualified and knowledgeable about patients and their cardiac conditions. To learn about common arrhythmias and our cardiac procedures, visit our Cardiovascular Library for more information.
We are comprised of a team of highly trained and dedicated health care professionals specializing in heart rhythm management. We have a strong focus on patient education and patient centered care. Our arrhythmia specialists have an international reputation of excellence in arrhythmia research and clinical arrhythmia management.
Melbourne Hearth Rhythm. Conditions Diagnostic Tests Our Procedures.
0コメント