How To Treat Sick Sinus Syndrome

AV Node Ablation

In some cases, abnormal heart rhythm occurs when the electrical impulse starts from another location other than the sinus node. It can also occur when the impulse follows a pathway not normally present. Such cases lead to numerous electrical short circuits in the heart's chambers. These short circuits have several consequences including inadequate pumping of blood to the body.

AV node ablation is used to treat this condition. During this procedure, the doctor will thread one or more catheters through blood vessels to the chambers of the heart. Terminals at the tip of the catheter use heat to destroy a small area of tissue. Once the tissue is dead, it prevents the atria muscles from sending false impulses to the ventricles. Symptoms are likely to improve after AV node ablation, and patients won’t need medicines to control their heart rate, though doctors may prescribe blood thinners to reduce the risk of stroke.

Get the details on more ways to treat sick sinus syndrome now.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is another procedure used to put a patient's heart back into normal rhythm. It ensures electrical signals do not originate from a location other than the sinus node. In radiofrequency ablation, thin wires or catheters are threaded into the heart’s chambers through a vein in an arm or leg.

One of the catheters is used to find the problematic areas in the heart while the other catheter is used to send heat energy. The heat energy (similar to microwave heat) is used to destroy the abnormal cells in the heart that cause rapid and irregular heartbeats. The procedure is minimally invasive and effective in treating the affected area without affecting the rest of the heart.

Continue to discover the next sick sinus syndrome treatment option now.