RF ablation is radiofrequency catheter ablation. It is an important method to treat heart rhythm disorders. Classical example is the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Small electrodes are placed in various regions of the heart to record the electrical activity within the heart. This helps the cardiac electrophysiologist to localize the origin of the heart rhythm disorder. Once the location is identified by this technique known as cardiac mapping, tiny superficial burns are produced in the region by radiofrequency current so that the abnormal focus or pathway for intracardiac currents is eliminated. This produces permanent cure in most cases of supra ventricular tachycardia. As in any modality of treatment there is some risk and some failure rate associated with this procedure, though quite small and with good benefit / risk ratio.
Category Archives: Heart Rhythm Disorders
What is right ventricular conduction delay?
The signals from the sinoatrial node reach the ventricles through the atrioventricular node via the bundle of His and its branches. The right bundle branch taking signals to the right ventricle can often have a conduction delay and the manifestation on ECG is called right bundle branch block (RBBB). It has a characteristic pattern on the ECG with an rSR’ pattern in the lead V1. Right bundle branch block can exist in the absence of any other significant heart disease and may not do much harm by itself. Right ventricular conduction delay can also be there in conditions in which the right ventricle is enlarged as in case of atrial septal defect (ASD).
Paradoxical decrease in heart rate with low dose atropine
Atropine is a drug which blocks the parasympathetic nervous system and increases the heart rate due to the unopposed action of the sympathetic system. But in low doses, atropine can have the opposite effect of increasing the discharge through vagus, the tenth cranial nerve, an important parasympathetic nerve. This can result in a paradoxical decrease in heart rate with low doses of atropine by a vagotonic effect.
What happens to irregular pulse with exercise?
Some forms of irregular pulse become regular with exercise while others remain so may even worsen. Those with irregular rhythm due to abnormal beat originating from certain parts of the ventricle disappear with exercise. They are generally considered as a harmless irregularity. This is because the increase in heart rate with exercise suppresses the abnormal focus of electrical activity by over riding it with higher rate. But certain irregularities due to disease states increase with exercise and they could be more harmful. Certain other forms of irregularity remain unchanged with exercise.
Can the heart rate be low in a person taking medication for high blood pressure?
The common reason for low heart rate in a person on treatment for high blood pressure is treatment with a group of beta blockers which slow the heart rate. An unrelated reason like an intrinsic slow rate of the sinus node due to sinus node disease can also be there.