Conditions and Treatments

Inova Medical Group Arrhythmia helps patients who are living with a variety of conditions and diseases that affect their heart health.

Sinus node dysfunction

The sinus node is the normal pacemaker of the heart, which is responsible for maintaining a normal heart rate. Damage to the sinus node leads to an abnormally low resting heart rate or the inability to increase one's heart rate adequately with activity. Fatigue and syncope are signs of sinus node dysfunction and may require a permanent pacemaker for treatment.

Heart block

The heart has an electrical conduction system, which allows the impulse from the sinus node to travel to the rest of the heart. Damage to the conduction system from hypertension, coronary artery disease, or other processes can result in heart block, which results is an abnormally slow heart and may require a permanent pacemaker for treatment.

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an abnormal rapid heart beat originating from a single focus in one of the top chambers of the heart. SVT can be treated with either medication or a catheter-based cardiac ablation procedure.

Atrial flutter

Atrial flutter, a form of SVT, is an abnormal rapid heart beat originating from an abnormal electrical circuit in one of the top chambers of the heart. There is a risk of stroke associated with atrial flutter and a blood thinner is often required. Atrial flutter can be treated with medications, a cardioversion or a catheter-based cardiac ablation procedure.

Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic heart rhythm often originating from the pulmonary veins and affecting the top chambers of the heart. There is a risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation and a blood thinner is often required. Atrial fibrillation can be treated medications, a cardioversion, or a catheter-based or surgical cardiac ablation procedure.

Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW)

WPW is the presence of an abnormal accessory pathway (extra electrical connection), which can participate in the creation of abnormal rapid heart rhythms. There is small risk of sudden death associated with WPW syndrome. WPW can be treated with medications or a catheter-based cardiac ablation procedure.

Ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia is a rapid heart rhythm originating from the bottom chambers of the heart. They can occur in both patients with normal hearts and well as in patients with structural heart disease. There is a risk of sudden death in patients with ventricular tachycardia and structural heart disease. Ventricular tachycardia can be treated with medications, catheter-based cardiac ablation procedure, and most often with implantable defibrillators.

Vasovagal syncope

Vasovagal (or neurocardiogenic) syncope is also known as a common fainting spell. It can be seen in normal healthy persons, who can faint at the site of blood or during a stressful or fearful situation. Vasovagal syncope is often a benign condition and can be treated with adequate hydration, avoidance of triggers and certain medications. In special circumstances, a pacemaker is required for treatment of recurrent and persistent vasovagal syncope.

Device treatment

Implantable device therapy allows us to monitor and regulate our patients’ hearts as they go about their everyday lives.

• Implantable loop recorder
• Pacemakers
• Implantable defibrillator (ICD)
• Sub-cutaneous defibrillator (S-ICD)
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
• Device generator change or replacement