In this Article

• What causes an arrhythmia?
• What are the types of arrhythmias?
• What are the symptoms of arrhythmias?
• How are arrhythmias diagnosed?
• How are arrhythmias treated?
• What medications are used to treat arrhythmias?
• What lifestyle changes should be made?
• What is electrical cardioversion?
• What is a pacemaker?
• What is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?
• What is catheter ablation?
• What is heart surgery?
• Patient Discussions: Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) - Symptoms Experienced
• Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) Glossary
• Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) Index

What is catheter ablation?

During an ablation, high-frequency electrical energy is delivered through a catheter to a small area of tissue inside the heart that causes the abnormal heart rhythm. This energy "disconnects" the pathway of the abnormal rhythm. Ablation is used to treat most PSVTs, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and some atrial and ventricular tachycardias. Ablation may be combined with other procedures to achieve optimal treatment.

What is heart surgery?

Heart surgery may be needed to correct heart disease that may be causing the arrhythmia. The Maze procedure is a type of surgery used to correct atrial fibrillation. During this procedure, a series (or "maze")of incisions are made in the right and left atria to confine the electrical impulses to defined pathways. Some people may require a pacemaker after this procedure.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.
Reviewed by David W. Stein, MD on December 01, 2006
Edited by Tracy C. Shuman, MD, on October 01, 2005

Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2004

Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat) - Symptoms Experienced

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