Rhythm surgery, pacemakers + defibrillators
| Focuses |
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| Surg. therapy of dysrhythmia |
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| Defibrillators |
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Treatment focuses at a glance
- Preventive atrial therapy in case of Sick-sinus-syndrome and intermittent atrial fibrillation. Here the selective atrial stimulation as well as the vast majority of currently available prevention algorithms of the respective manufacturers is being offered.
- Implantation of the respectively aggregates, which individually have been agreed upon with the attending cardiologists
- A special expertise is given in the field of revision interventions including probe corrections and extractions or complete changes of the system as well in case of old electrodes
- Implantation of biventricular resynchronization systems. The implantation is being performed either interventionally in cooperation with the cardiology department (application of 3 transvenous electrodes, right atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle via coronary sinus) or by means of an epicardiac electrode attachment via a leftlateral small thoracotomy
Surgical therapy of cardiac dysrhythmia
The clinic offers all kinds of therapy concepts for the surgical treatment of cardiac dysrhythmia. These include e.g. the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker in case of too slow heartbeat or for the co-treatment of atrial fibrillation. For patients with alternating cardiac rhythm and temporary tachycardias we use special two-chamber pacemakers, which provide antitachycardic therapy options.
In cooperation with the cardiologists of the MHH biventricular pacemaker systems for the cardiac resynchronization therapy are being implanted. In this connection the efficiency of the heart is improved in case of patients suffering from cardiac power failure and certain disorders of the conduction (left bundle-branch block, LBBB).
Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD)
For the treatment and prevention of critically rapid cardiac dysrhythmia, e.g. ventricular fibrillation (sudden cardiac death), automatic defibrillators are being implanted. The selection of devices and manufacturers takes place in close collaboration with the attending cardiologist of the patient, so that a smooth post intervention therapy is warranted.
Obliteration in case of chronic atrial fibrillation (ablation)
For patients suffering from chronic atrial fibrillation within the scope of bypass or valve operations we apply an technique in order to obliterate (ablation) the diseased parts of the myocardium (Maze procedure). Techniques like e.g. cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation or ultrasound are being applied. The success rate of these procedures, concerning the durable healing of atrial fibrillation and therefore the avoidance of therapy with Marcumar in many cases, is up to 80%.
Revisions, changes and system removals
In the last 20 years we developed a special expertise within the scope of revision interventions with lead corrections, explantation of electrodes, or entire system changes. These interventions are required in case of electrode malfuntions, electrode failure or in case of a system infection. In most of the cases we succeed in removing also the old electrode interventionally via special extraction systems. In doing so open-heart surgery can be avoided also in case of electrodes, which are already implanted for years.
The excellent results during the treatment of chronic or acute pacemaker system infections without recurrence of infections prove the high competence and accuracy of the clinic.