A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems

by Cohen, Todd J., M.D.

• ISBN13: 9780801897757
• ISBN10: 0801897750
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-01
• Publisher: JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV PRESS

Summary

Heart rhythm problems can be a matter of life or death. In this easy-to-read guide, Dr. Todd Cohen provides comprehensive information to help people with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Dr. Cohen tells readers what they need to know about palpitations, rapid heart rhythms (tachycardias), slow heart rhythms (bradycardias), cardiac arrest, and other conditions related to irregular heartbeats.With the goal of informing and empowering heart patients, Dr. Cohen describes the heart's basic function, the various conditions associated with arrhythmia, and recommended courses of treatment. He discusses such procedures as tilt table testing, electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation, and device implantation (including cardiac monitors, pacemakers, defibrillators, and biventricular devices); explains the essentials of CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs); and presents the latest guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and the Heart Rhythm Society.A Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems will help readers understand• how the heart works and what can go wrong• the tests and other diagnostic procedures they may undergo• how their doctor reaches a diagnosis• what their diagnosis means• how their doctor might treat the problem• when medication alone is sufficient treatment• when pacemaker, defibrillator, or biventricular therapy is appropriate• how to get the best possible medical care -- in and out of the hospitalEndorsed by the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, this essential resource features tables highlighting key information, as well as patient narratives that provide personal insight into arrhythmia tests, treatments, and technologies.

Author Biography

Todd J. Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.H.R.S., is the director of Electrophysiology, director of the Pacemaker-Arrhythmia Center, and director of Advanced EP Technology and Innovations at Winthrop-University Hospital. He is an associate professor of medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the author of Practical Electrophysiology, and the inventor of a number of medical devices.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
The Basics
Overview	p. 3
Who is Your Cardiologist?	p. 8
The Pulse: Heartbeat and Rhythm	p. 10
Heart Rhythms	p. 13
The Pump	p. 15
Heart Rhythm Abnormalities
Slow Rhythms: Bradycardias	p. 21
Fast Rhythms: Tachycardias	p. 24
Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation	p. 27
Supraventricular Tachycardia	p. 30
Atrial Fibrillation	p. 32
Atrial Flutter	p. 37
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Arrest	p. 43
Syncope
Syncope	p. 53
The Tests
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)	p. 59
Stress Test and Related Procedures	p. 63
Continuous Monitoring Devices	p. 66
Echocardiogram	p. 68
Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) Angiogram and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)	p. 71
Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiogram, Left Ventriculogram, Angioplasty, and Stenting	p. 73
T-Wave Alternans (TWA)	p. 77
Electrophysiology Study (EP Study)	p. 78
Tilt Table Test	p. 82
Procedures and Medications for Treating Heart Problems
Catheter Ablation	p. 87
Electrical Cardioversion and Defibrillation	p. 90
Heart Medications	p. 93
Devices for Treating Heart Problems
Pacemakers	p. 105
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)	p. 109
Biventricular Devices	p. 114
Implantable Cardiac Monitors	p. 117
Device Implant Procedures	p. 119
Device Replacement and Lead Extraction	p. 124
Recalls	p. 126
The Diseased Heart
Heart Failure	p. 131
Cardiomyopathy	p. 135
Hereditary Conditions	p. 142
Prevention and Resuscitation
Preventing Heart Disease	p. 153
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)	p. 155
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)	p. 160
Follow-up and Patient Care
Patient Follow-up	p. 165
Support Groups	p. 169
Defensive Patienting 101: A Primer on Patient Safety	p. 171
Acknowledgments	p. 175
Appendixes
When an Electrophysiology Study Is Appropriate	p. 177
When an Implantable Permanent Pacemaker is Appropriate	p. 178
When an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator is Appropriate	p. 179
When Biventricular Therapy is Appropriate	p. 181
Glossary	p. 183
Bibliography	p. 197
Index	p. 201
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