Program details
Arrhythmia Treatment【Kishiwada Tokushukai Hospital】
Internal medicine
Kishiwada Tokushukai Hospital（Kinki/Osaka）
Cutting-Edge Arrhythmia Treatment
Safe and Rapid Response
At our hospital, we utilize advanced techniques such as pacemaker therapy and catheter ablation to effectively treat arrhythmias. We perform safe and efficient procedures in a short time and provide a rapid response to life-threatening arrhythmias.
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- Program Summary
- Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heart rhythm or an irregular heart rate, which occurs when the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial (SA) node, fails to generate electrical impulses correctly, or when electrical signals do not pass through the conduction pathway properly. This causes an abnormal rhythm or heart rate. When electrical impulses do not originate from the sinoatrial node or do not propagate correctly through the conduction pathways, the heart's rhythm and rate become irregular, leading to arrhythmia.
Symptoms of arrhythmia include chest pain or discomfort, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting. In cases of tachycardia (fast heart rate), symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting can occur. In bradycardia (slow heart rate), symptoms such as shortness of breath and near loss of consciousness may appear. Particularly dangerous symptoms include fainting, near fainting, or feeling lightheaded, as these may indicate the presence of a severe arrhythmia that could lead to cardiac arrest.
For arrhythmia diagnosis, electrophysiological studies (EPS) are conducted. Thin tubes called electrode catheters, a few millimeters in diameter, are inserted through veins in the groin or neck and directed toward the heart. These catheters have small metal tips (electrodes) that, when placed in contact with the heart’s inner walls, provide detailed information about the heart's electrical activity. This test is crucial and effective in diagnosing arrhythmias.
For arrhythmia treatment, pacemaker therapy is used for bradycardia (slow heart rate). A pacemaker takes over the heart's electrical system, transmitting electrical impulses from an external source to the heart muscle to generate the necessary heartbeats. For tachycardia (fast heart rate), catheter ablation is performed. A thin catheter is inserted into the blood vessels, and high-frequency energy is applied to burn the heart muscle causing the arrhythmic circuit, effectively blocking or cutting off the abnormal pathway. In addition to traditional myocardial ablation, atrial fibrillation treatment uses a cryoballoon to perform pulmonary vein isolation, shortening treatment time and improving outcomes compared to older methods.
Even in cases of life-threatening arrhythmias, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are available, which continuously monitor the heart rate and detect dangerous arrhythmias to stop them. Recently, biventricular pacemaker implantation has been performed for heart failure caused by severe myocardial damage, as part of cardiac resynchronization therapy.
- Medical Institutions
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Kishiwada Tokushukai Hospital
〒596-0042
4-27-1 Kamoricho, Kishiwada City
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1. Medical Information:
- Diagnosis (type of arrhythmia: tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, etc.)
- Details of symptoms (presence of palpitations, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, etc.)
- Test results from other facilities (e.g., ECG, Holter ECG, cardiac ultrasound, electrophysiological studies)
- Presence of comorbidities (e.g., heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension)
2. History of Treatment:
- Previous arrhythmia treatments (e.g., pacemaker implantation, catheter ablation, medication therapy)
- Current medications (e.g., antiarrhythmic drugs, anticoagulants)
- History of allergies or drug reactions
3. Age and Physical Condition:
- Confirm if elderly patients or those with underlying conditions have the physical capacity to undergo surgery or treatment.
- Evaluate overall health and cardiac function to determine if the patient can tolerate catheter-based treatment or surgery.
4. Treatment Duration, Days, and Time:
- Treatment schedule (hospitalization period for catheter ablation or pacemaker surgery, postoperative follow-up period)
- Estimate hospitalization duration and rehabilitation period after surgery.
5. Urgency:
- Determine if emergency care is required (e.g., life-threatening arrhythmia, need for implantable cardioverter defibrillator).
- Confirm cases requiring 24-hour emergency response.
6. Other Conditions:
- Suitability for specialized treatments such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for heart failure patients.
- Adjust treatment plans based on the patient’s lifestyle and preferences.
- Precautions / Contraindications
- [Precautions and Contraindications]
1. Cases Not Suitable for Surgery or Treatment:
- Patients with severe comorbidities (e.g., untreated infections, advanced renal failure, cancer) may have limited indications for pacemaker implantation or catheter ablation.
- Catheter-based treatment may be challenging due to vascular conditions or anatomical characteristics of the heart.
- Patients unable to discontinue anticoagulants (e.g., those with high thrombosis risk) may face increased bleeding risks during treatment, requiring careful management.
2. Precautions Related to Medication Therapy:
- Patients taking anticoagulants or antiarrhythmic drugs must adhere to the prescribed discontinuation period before treatment. Following medical instructions is crucial.
- Patients with allergies or hypersensitivity to medications require special attention in drug selection and administration.
3. Contraindications for Pacemakers and Defibrillators:
- Strong electromagnetic fields (e.g., MRI) are contraindicated for pacemakers and defibrillators. Patients must avoid such environments after implantation.
- Mobile phones and electronic devices may interfere with the operation of pacemakers and defibrillators. Maintaining an appropriate distance during use is necessary.
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[Important Pre-Treatment Information]
1. Preoperative Preparation:
- Preoperative tests (e.g., ECG, Holter ECG, electrophysiological studies) are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning and must be completed.
- Follow the physician’s instructions regarding the discontinuation period for anticoagulants or antiarrhythmic drugs and manage appropriately.
2. Postoperative Complication Risks:
- Risks such as bleeding, infection, and thrombosis require adherence to postoperative instructions and immediate reporting of any abnormalities.
- Regular follow-ups and lifestyle management are crucial to address risks of recurrence or restenosis.
3. Lifestyle Precautions:
- After pacemaker implantation, avoid environments with strong electromagnetic fields (e.g., MRI machines, industrial equipment).
- Maintain a safe distance when using mobile phones and other electronic devices, as they may affect pacemaker or defibrillator function.
4. Hospitalization and Postoperative Schedule:
- Confirm the duration of hospitalization and rehabilitation before surgery and plan the postoperative lifestyle schedule accordingly.
- Follow instructions on activity and lifestyle restrictions after discharge.
5. Emergency Response:
- Contact a medical facility immediately if symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting occur after discharge.
- Confirm emergency medical facilities and contact information in advance.
