Re: Atrial Fibrilation

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on June 30, 1998 at 00:16:18:

In Reply to: Re: Atrial Fibrilation posted by Lois Harrison on June 29, 1998 at 17:19:32:






I am looking for a portable defibrilator. I am a 66 year old female with
a good heart. I take mixtil 150mgX3. The 24 hour heart monitor showed a
cardic rhythm causing a double beat and skipping.  This causes sudden death.
One of the nerves that goes into value to the heart is defective and it
causes an electrial short. The confusing thing to the Doctors is that
my heart is in good condition.Any suggestions out there?
I have been diagonised as having cardiac arhythm and was considering an implant,
but would rather have a portable.
Thank you for your help in this frighting matter.  
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Dear Lois,
A defibrillator is a device that monitors the heart rhythm and gives it a shock of electricity when it goes into a dangerous rhythm.  The current standard is an implantable defibrillator that is placed under the skin in the upper chest wall (like a pacemaker) .  The procedure is done under local anesthesia and takes about an hour.  Previously the device had to be placed during open heart surgery.    Patients that have been shown to receive benefit (prolongs life) from defibrillators are those with heart failure and inducible ventricular tachycardia (a dangerous rhythm) on electrophysiology study (a study of the electrical system of the heart) and those who have experienced sudden cardiac death with no structural heart disease.
There are currently "portable" defibrillators under investigation but they are available only at centers offering the experimental protocol and to patients with a defined set of criteria.  These defibrillators are built into a vest that one must wear 24-hours a day.  
The type of doctor that deals with these problems is an electrophysiologist.   If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic and considered for a portable defibrillator call the number below and ask to make an appointment with an electrophysiologist.
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist.