Pharmaceutical And Surgical Treatment For Atrial Fibrillation?

Answer 1

Atrial fibrillation is the term used for an irregular heartbeat. The condition can be permanent, chronic, or temporary. The cause of most cases of atrial fibrillation is the generation of random electrical signals in the sinus node of the heart that causes irregular beating of the atria as it travels across the atrioventricular node. The actual condition does not, in and of itself, pose a large health risk. Over time, and in patients that have other medical conditions, atrial fibrillation can lead to a host of problems including stroke and heart attack.

The basic treatment for atrial fibrillation involves a regiment of medications, usually accompanied by suggested dietary and lifestyle changes. The medications that are given can either attempt to better regulate the heart rate, slow down the heart rate, or speed it up. Often, there are situations where more than one type of medication is prescribed so that they work in tandem to stabilize an irregular heartbeat.

For chronic, life threatening, or more severe cases, the treatment for atrial fibrillation can involve surgery or an equally complex procedure. Electro cardioversion is a procedure that applies electrical impulse to the chest over the atria in an attempt to reset the beating pattern of the heart. The procedure, however, is not always successful and sometimes provides only temporary relief.

Ablation therapy is a treatment for atrial fibrillation that involves inserting wires or catheters into the heart valves. In this procedure, portions of the atrioventricular node are identified as being the source of any stray electrical pulses to the heart. These areas are then cauterized, after which scar tissue will form in time, blocking any stray signals from passing into other nodes of the heart, eliminating the irregular heartbeat. If all other options fail, however, it is possible that a pacemaker might need to be permanently implanted to regulate the heart.

With almost all forms of treatment for atrial fibrillation, one of the common factors is placing the patient on anticoagulant medications that thin the blood and prevent clots from forming that could cause strokes. Additionally, most patients who have to undergo treatment for atrial fibrillation usually have to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and restricting intake of medications that might contain stimulants.