non obstrictive HCM

my name is warda sajjad from Oman. my husbaned is 29 year old he was diagnosed to have HCM since 10 years ago, to prevent sudden death an ICD was implanted since then it was changed towice last one in 2007. in May 2009 he had three attacked of VT it was treated by shock. the doctors here thinh that he dose not need an ablation.
i want to what kind of test he can do know if the ablation can help to stop VT thak you my e-mail is ***@****

[kenkeith]

Uaually an EKG is the medium to diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia is made based on the rhythm seen on either a 12 lead EKG or a telemetry rhythm strip. Additionally, for consideration is whether there is a past history of a heart attack (heart cell negrosis...scarred tissue does not permit electrical conduction), congested heart failure or recent angina (chest pain from lack of oxygen to heart cells).  In cardiac ablation, a form of energy renders a small section of damaged tissue inactive. This puts an end to arrhythmias that originated at the problematic site.

Tests should show electrical flow that gets blocked or travels the same pathways repeatedly creating something of a “short circuit” that disturbs normal heart rhythms. Medicine often helps. In some cases, however, the most effective treatment is to destroy the tissue housing the short circuit. This procedure is called cardiac ablation.

For some insight, when is ablation appropriate? Many people have abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that cannot be controlled with lifestyle changes or medications. Some patients cannot or do not wish to take life-long antiarrhythmic medications and other drugs because of side effects that interfere with their quality of life.

Other consideration for cardiac ablation does rapid heartbeats that begin in the upper chambers, or atria, of the heart.

Less frequently, ablation can treat heart rhythm disorders that begin in the heart’s lower chambers, known as the ventricles, and apparently that is your husband's situation. The most common, ventricular tachycardia, may also be the most dangerous type of arrhythmia because it can cause sudden cardiac death...therefore a need for ICD.

Drugs such as amiodarone or procainamide may be used in addition to defibrillation to terminate VT while the underlying cause of the VT can be determined. As hypomagnesia is a common cause of VT, stat dose magnesium sulphate can be given for torsades or if hypomagnesia is found/suspected.

Long term anti-arrhythmic therapy may be indicated to prevent recurrence of VT. Beta-blockers and a number of class III anti-arrhythmics are commonly used. Lidocaine is now being replaced by amiodarone as the first line anti-arrhythmic treatment of VT.

For some of the rare congenital syndromes of VT, other drugs, and sometimes even catheter ablation therapy may be useful. The implantation of an ICD is more effective than drug therapy for prevention of sudden cardiac death due to VT.