Treating cardiac arrhythmia

Cardiac arrhythmia, where the heart beats too fast, too slow or at an irregular pace, is a serious heart condition that can affect individuals of any age. Caused by abnormalities in the heart’s electrical system, diagnosis can be difficult for practitioners, as an irregular heartbeat doesn’t always present itself during routine examinations.

With recent advances in medical technology, however, cardiac specialists are now able to effectively diagnose and treat heart arrhythmias with an Electrophysiology Study (EP Study).

At Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, a specialist team led by cardiologist Dr. Koonlawee Nademanee is successfully using this new technique on their patients to identify and treat abnormal heart rhythms at their source.

What causes cardiac arrhythmias?

Cardiac arrhythmias are heart rhythm disorders that vary from being completely benign to potentially life-threatening, like in the case of ventricular tachycardia or atrial fibrillation. The exact reasons why patients develop an arrhythmia however varies between individuals.

Arrhythmia’s can be caused by congenital heart defects or an abnormal heart structure that affects the electrical system, such as a narrowed heart artery or a heart attack, which directly affects the heart muscles. High blood pressure, thyroid disorder or even electrolyte imbalance can also cause the heart’s electrical impulses to go awry.

What is an EP Study?

An EP Study is a medical test that helps diagnose and treat the exact cause of a cardiac arrhythmia. During the study, electrodes are placed on the chest to monitor a patient’s heart rate and rhythm while a catheter is inserted and positioned in the heart to monitor how and where electrical pulses are generated.

This minimally invasive, relatively painless procedure generates a virtual image of the heart complete with electrical activity. When the abnormality is located, it is marked with color codes before radiofrequency energy is applied from the tip of a catheter to dissolve the abnormal tissues that cause the arrhythmia, resetting the heart rhythm back to normal.

With accurate electrical mapping, doctors can identify the exact location where the abnormal rhythm occurs and perform the treatment right at the spot, allowing them to alleviate the problem.

However it is important to note that an EP Study only helps in fixing abnormal heart rhythm, and that it doesn’t help solve other problems contributing to heart disease. If a patient has high blood pressure, narrowing heart artery, or heart scar, an EP study will not change that.

The Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab at Bumrungrad Hospital

Home to a team of cardiac electrophysiology specialists, Bumrungrad’s Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab is one of the most advanced medical science facilities in Southeast Asia.

Equipped with the latest equipment and technology, the facility allows for more accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment of heart arrhythmias. This has led to fewer complications for patients and ultimately, better health outcomes. For some patients, it can even offer a complete cure for cardiac arrhythmia since the root cause of the problem is eliminated.

Bumrungrad International Hospital – Arrhythmia Center
Bumrungrad International Clinic, 14th floor
33 Sukhumvit 3, Wattana, Bangkok, 10110 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2667 2851
www.bumrungrad.com