What is Atrial Fibrillation?
Electrophysiology Physicians at NHI:
Stephen J. Ackerman
Rhythms of the Heart:
Each minute, the human heart pumps approximately five quarts of blood throughout the body. This translates to about 1,800 gallons each day. The blood
carries oxygen and nutrients vital to the body's organs as they perform their function in sustaining human life.
The heart's four chambers, the two atria and two ventricles, work together in concert to deliver the oxygen-enriched blood. Orchestrating this effort
is the heart's electrical system.
The sinoatrial node or natural pacemaker of the heart initiates these electrical signals and works with the atrioventricular node in coordinating the
pumping action between the atria and ventricles.
In a normal heart, when the body is at rest, these electrical signals are responsible for a rhythmic beat of 60 to100 times per minute. When there is
an irregularity in the electrical system, whether the heart is beating too fast or too slow or possibly erratically, then an
arrhythmia or heart rhythm disorder can occur.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias can impede the blood flow the body requires, both in the heart and throughout the body's organs. This can cause dizziness, palpitations or
fainting and in some circumstances a serious condition may exist.
Cardiologists that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders are called electrophysiologists. The
Arrhythmia & Syncope Clinic of the Nebraska Heart Institute specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients
with arrhythmias.
Types of arrhythmias include:
Bradycardia; an abnormally slow heart rhythm. This generally results from the failure of either, the SA node to start the normal pacemaker impulse or
the AV node to transmit the signal to the ventricles.
This condition will slow the heart's rhythm and can cause the symptoms described above.
Tachycardia; an abnormally fast heart rhythm. This can initiate either in the atria or in the ventricles.
With either, symptoms occur because of inefficient pumping of blood.
Diagnostics & Treatment
There are several diagnostic tests that electrophysiologists use to determine the exact cause of an arrhythmia. Noninvasive testing includes Holter
monitor, event recorder, treadmill testing, and tilt table testing.
NHI electrophysiologists can also perform an electrophysiology study to 'map' out the hearts electrical abnormality. This is done in the cardiac
catheterization laboratory, where the electrophysiologist can use a catheter and x-rays to determine the exact point of the heart's arrhythmia.
The treatment of arrhythmias can involve medications or a cardiac ablation. An ablation is a process where the microscopic area, causing the electrical
abnormality, can be eliminated. Other arrhythmias can be treated with devices such as a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
To schedule an appointment, contact the Arrhythmia & Syncope Clinic at (402) 328-3900. |
