Arrhythmia Treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital

Arrhythmia Treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized evaluation and treatment for irregular, unusually fast or unusually slow heart rhythms. Care may include diagnostic testing, medication, catheter-based procedures, device therapy or other specialized treatments depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost depends on the type of arrhythmia, diagnostic testing, medications, catheter procedures, cardiac devices, hospitalization and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Are Cardiac Arrhythmias?

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly.

Common arrhythmias include:

• Atrial fibrillation

• Atrial flutter

• Supraventricular tachycardia

• Ventricular tachycardia

• Bradycardia

• Other abnormal heart rhythms

Who May Need Arrhythmia Treatment?

Patients may be evaluated when experiencing:

• Palpitations

• Irregular heartbeat

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Shortness of breath

• Chest discomfort

• Fatigue

• Reduced exercise tolerance

Some arrhythmias may also be discovered during routine cardiac testing.

Arrhythmia Evaluation

Evaluation may include:

• Medical history

• Physical examination

• ECG

• Echocardiogram

• Ambulatory rhythm monitoring

• Blood tests

• Electrophysiology testing when appropriate

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An ECG records the heart's electrical activity and can help identify abnormal rhythms.

It may help evaluate:

• Heart rate

• Rhythm pattern

• Electrical conduction

• Certain cardiac abnormalities

Heart Rhythm Monitoring

Patients with intermittent symptoms may require longer-term rhythm monitoring.

Possible monitoring methods include:

• Holter monitoring

• Ambulatory ECG monitoring

• Event monitoring

• Other specialized rhythm monitoring

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib) may focus on:

• Controlling heart rate

• Restoring or maintaining normal rhythm when appropriate

• Reducing stroke risk

• Managing underlying cardiovascular conditions

Treatment is individualized according to the patient's condition.

Atrial Flutter Treatment

Atrial flutter may be treated with:

• Medication

• Cardioversion

• Catheter ablation

• Other rhythm-management strategies

The appropriate treatment depends on the individual case.

Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat selected abnormal heart rhythms.

During the procedure, specialized catheters are used to identify areas responsible for abnormal electrical signals and treat them.

Electrophysiology Study

An electrophysiology study evaluates the heart's electrical system using specialized cardiac catheters.

It may help specialists:

• Identify the source of an arrhythmia

• Determine the type of abnormal rhythm

• Plan catheter ablation

• Guide treatment decisions

Cardioversion

Selected patients with certain abnormal rhythms may undergo electrical or medication-based cardioversion to restore a more normal heart rhythm.

Pacemaker Therapy

Patients with certain slow heart rhythms or conduction problems may require a pacemaker.

A pacemaker helps maintain an appropriate heart rate when the heart's natural electrical system is not functioning adequately.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

Selected patients at risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias may require an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

An ICD can monitor heart rhythm and deliver treatment when certain life-threatening rhythms occur.

Ventricular Arrhythmia Treatment

Ventricular tachycardia and other serious ventricular arrhythmias may require specialized evaluation and treatment.

Treatment can include:

• Medication

• Catheter ablation

• ICD therapy

• Other advanced cardiac interventions

Arrhythmia Medication Management

Depending on the condition, medications may be used to:

• Control heart rate

• Maintain normal rhythm

• Prevent blood clots

• Manage underlying cardiovascular disease

Medication selection depends on the patient's diagnosis and medical history.

Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

Patients with atrial fibrillation may be assessed for stroke risk.

When appropriate, treatment may include medications designed to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke.

Complex Arrhythmia Care

Patients with difficult or recurrent arrhythmias may receive multidisciplinary evaluation involving:

• Electrophysiologists

• Cardiologists

• Cardiac surgeons

• Cardiac imaging specialists

• Other cardiovascular professionals

Arrhythmia Follow-Up

Ongoing care may include:

• ECG monitoring

• Device checks

• Medication adjustments

• Rhythm monitoring

• Assessment of symptoms

• Repeat cardiac testing

Arrhythmia Second Opinion

Patients with a complex rhythm disorder or recommended ablation/device procedure may seek a cardiac electrophysiology second opinion.

Specialists may review:

• ECGs

• Rhythm-monitoring reports

• Echocardiograms

• Electrophysiology studies

• Medical records

• Previous procedures

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cardiac records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• ECG reports

• Holter reports

• Rhythm-monitoring results

• Echocardiogram reports

• Previous electrophysiology reports

• Procedure reports

• Medication list

Benefits of Specialized Arrhythmia Care

Specialized treatment may help:

• Identify abnormal heart rhythms

• Control symptoms

• Manage heart rate

• Restore normal rhythm when appropriate

• Reduce stroke risk

• Treat selected arrhythmias with catheter ablation

• Manage serious ventricular rhythms

• Provide pacemaker or ICD therapy when appropriate

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital for Arrhythmia Treatment?

Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized cardiac electrophysiology services through its Heart Center, with expertise in evaluation and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Electrophysiology consultation

• ECG

• Rhythm monitoring

• Echocardiography

• Electrophysiology study

• Catheter ablation

• Cardioversion

• Pacemaker or ICD procedure

• Hospitalization

• Follow-up care

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the heart may beat too fast, too slowly or irregularly.

2. Can arrhythmias be treated without surgery?

Yes. Depending on the arrhythmia, treatment may include medication, cardioversion or catheter ablation, while some patients may require a cardiac device.

3. What is catheter ablation?

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that identifies and treats areas responsible for certain abnormal heart rhythms.

4. When is a pacemaker needed?

A pacemaker may be recommended for selected patients with slow heart rhythms or electrical conduction problems.

5. How much does arrhythmia treatment cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the arrhythmia, diagnostic tests, procedure, device requirements and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Arrhythmia Treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery

Service Type: Arrhythmia Treatment

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA