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Treatment for Arrhythmia
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Most people at some point in their lives, will experience episodes of irregular heartbeat or palpitations. Most of these episodes of abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia are harmless and can happen in healthy people. However, some forms of abnormal heart rhythms can be serious or even life-threatening.
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What is Arrhythmia
Arrhythmias are caused by problems in the electrical system of the heart, which is in charge of regulating the heartbeat. The normal heartbeat is generally steady and beats in a regular rhythm. Abnormal heart rhythms may be too fast or too slow; it may remain regular or become irregular and chaotic. While arrhythmias can and often do occur in apparently healthy people, the presence of other heart conditions can also increase the risk of developing arrhythmias.
For most types of fast heart rhythms, a cure can be achieved by performing a catheter ablation procedure, in which several thin tubes (catheters) with electrodes are introduced into the blood vessels and directed into the heart. Small areas of the heart muscle that cause abnormal heart rhythms can be located, and destroyed using bursts of radiofrequency energy. When successful, the condition is usually cured and medications may no longer be necessary. |
What is Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is done after the electrophysiological study (EPS) has determined the exact diagnosis of the cardiac arrhythmia. It is a nonsurgical technique where a small electrode catheter (a specially insulated electrical wire) is used to localise the abnormal site in the heart causing the arrhythmia (electrical disorder of the heart) and radiofrequency energy is then delivered via the catheter to ablate (or destroy) it.
In experienced centres, and depending on the type of arrhythmia, the success rate is about 95-98% and the recurrence rate is <5%. The risk of serious complications such as bleeding, heart block or death for the procedure is <1%. Patients are usually discharged the next day after the ablation procedure. Most patients can return to normal activities within a day or two. |
Who it is for
Patients with cardiac arrhythmias may be at risk for sudden cardiac death, have recurrent attacks of arrhythmia or may need life long drug therapy (and its problem of side effects with long term use of drugs). Radiofrequency catheter ablation is able to cure some of these patients by ablating the abnormal focus of arrhythmia. |
Our treatment centre
Department of Cardiology at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) |
The NHCS Advantage
Local and Regional Pioneer
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| National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) is the first centre to pioneer the use of catheter ablation for arrhythmia in South-East Asia It also assisted hospitals in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand to carry out biventricular pacing, a treatment option for selected group of patients with moderate to severe heart failure who are receiving maximum medical therapy but whose quality of life is still compromised by heart failure symptoms. |
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Leader in Arrhythmia Management
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| NHCS is also the country’s leader in arrhythmia management, which encompasses arrhythmia diagnosis, medical therapy, surgical procedures, and use of medical devices to correct or eliminate abnormal rhythms. It also carries out lead extraction, a complex and risky procedure for patients implanted with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) who develop complications and require the removal of the devices. . |
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Preferred Centre for Post-Graduate Training
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| NHCS has trained numerous doctors from the region including Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Mongolia and China in various cardiac sub-specialties, making it the preferred training centre for postgraduate training in cardiovascular medicine. |
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Find a Doctor
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Call our 24-hr hotline:
+65 6326 5656 |
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