Cardiac arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, is a serious but treatable condition that affects roughly 2.2 million Americans. Using the latest life-saving technology, the physicians at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute specialize in the diagnosis, management and treatment of this disease.
Atrial Fibrillation – Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting more than 2 million Americans. AF is the chaotic quivering of the upper chambers of the heart, the atria. This quivering reduces the efficiency of the heart and can lead to a rapid heart rate. In addition to rate problems, AF causes blood to pool in parts of the atria that increases the risk of forming clots that could lead to a stroke.
Atrial Flutter – Atrial flutter (AFL) is a rapid beating the upper chambers, the atria. AFL is characterized by a fast, very regular atrial rate (close to 300 beats a minute). AFL can also lead to pooling of the blood in the atria that can cause an increased risk of blood clot formation and elevated risk for stroke.
Sick Sinus Syndrome – Sick Sinus Syndrome is a group of symptoms that show that the sinoatrial node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, is not functioning properly. This condition can lead to a decreased response to exercise and a slow resting heart.
Sinus Tachycardia – Sinus tachycardia is typically a benign arrhythmia and is usually due to some other underlying cause. In some cases, sinus tachycardia can be persistent without another cause and be classified as an inappropriate sinus tachycardia that could require treatment.
Supraventricular Tachycardia – Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) generally describes the rapid beating of the upper chambers of the heart and includes AF and AFL. Other common forms of SVT include atrioventricular node reentry (AVNRT), atrioventricular reentry (AVRT), and focal atrial tachycardia.
Ventricular Tachycardia – Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is the rapid beating of the two lower chambers of the heart. VT is can be a life threatening arrhythmia if not treated. In some cases if not treated quickly, VT can degenerate in ventricular fibrillation.
Ventricular Fibrillation – Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the chaotic quivering of lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles. VF will lead to death if not treated immediately as the heart is unable to pump blood to the body. VF is responsible for half of all cardiac deaths and as such poses the greatest risk of all arrhythmias.