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Cardiac Care - February '08
Diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias with electrocardiograms
Rajmohan Karnik, MD
Cardiac arrhythmias affect millions of Americans. Although some arrhythmias are harmless, others can severely diminish a person’s quality of life and can even be life-threatening. At The University of Toledo Medical Center, cardiologists use the most advanced technology and techniques to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias and improve the lives of their patients.
What is a cardiac arrhythmia?
“Cardiac arrhythmia simply refers to a disturbance in the heart’s rhythm,” says Rajmohan Karnik, MD, cardiologist and assistant professor of medicine at UT Medical Center. This could mean recurring episodes of rapid heartbeats, combined with lightheadedness and dizziness. In contrast, a patient’s heartbeat could be extremely slow, causing fatigue, which sometimes results from improper medication doses. Although some patients can tolerate cardiac arrhythmias, it can be bothersome or life-threatening for others. “If it is persistent, it can cause significant reduction in overall longevity, including permanent heart muscle damage,” he adds.
What is an electrocardiogram?
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is the test used to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias, as well as other conditions. “An EKG is a basic and fundamental tool to get an overall idea of the electrical activity within the heart,” says Dr. Karnik. With every beat, an electrical impulse passes through the heart. By measuring the intervals, a doctor can determine how long it takes a wave to pass through the heart. It not only gives insight into its electrical system, but also offers an understanding into the presence of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, possible blockages and previous silent heart attacks.
An EKG is a simple procedure and is used as an initial screening in a large number of patients, with or without cardiac problems, including electrolyte disturbances, low calcium levels or high potassium levels. “Minor changes in the body’s internal environment can affect the electrical conduction of impulses in the heart, manifesting itself in the form of an abnormal EKG,” says Dr. Karnik. “A simple medical tool like an EKG can be a great benefit in making the correct diagnosis.”
What is the best treatment?
In any rhythm disturbance, treating the underlying disorder is key. For example, atrial fibrillations are abnormal heart rhythms caused by conditions such as hypertension, coronary disease or a thyroid disease. “If you can fix the underlying cause, like hypertension, that can often be the permanent fix for atrial fibrillation,” Dr. Karnik says.
However, for patients who are unable to control atrial fibrillations, specialists at UT Medical Center have pioneered a technique that focuses on a complete cure. This is addressed with a catheter-based radio frequency ablation. “For people who have scarred heart muscle, sometimes you cannot control or get rid of the rhythm disturbance,” he says. For those circumstances, defibrillators, pacemakers and certain medications can control abnormal heart rhythms.
At UT Medical Center, developing leading-edge treatments for cardiac arrhythmias remains at the forefront. In addition to having advanced treatment centers for autonomic disorders, UT Medical Center is the only hospital in northwest Ohio to perform atrial fibrillation ablations. Through these means, they hope to improve the longevity and overall quality of life for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
To make an appointment with a UTMC cardiovascular physician, please call 877-451-2299.
