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A member asked:
Please explain how a pacemaker does/does not control atrial fib. also, other than heart cath, how can plaque be detected? thanks these questions are in regards to my father's health. he has a pacemaker to control low heart rate, but pacemaker output has
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Yes, : Yes, there are other options for treating atrial fibrillation as well as other diagnostic tests that can be performed to detect clots int the heart. Atrial fibrillation is an arrythmia where the person is a high risk for developing clots within the heart because the heart is unable to effectively pump blood to the body, leading to pooling of blood in the heart. Atrial fibrillation can be treated with medication or ablation, which work to get the heart's primary pacemaker to resume function. Another procedure that can be done is cardioversion. In a cardioversion, an electric shock is delivered to the heart to 'shock' the heart back to the person's normal rhythm. This procedure can be done for a person with a pacemaker, however the doctor must take measures to ensure no damage to the device. There are imaging tests, such as an echocardiogram, that can help a physician to determine the presence of clots in your heart. Echocardiography uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart. This test can detect areas of the heart where blood is not flowing properly, indicating a possible clot or blockage. Also, this test is useful for identifying parts of the heart that are not contracting well.
Answered 10/3/2016
5.4k views
Pacemaker: A pacemaker can keep the heart rate from getting too slow. It doesn't prevent or treat atrial fibrillation. Plaque in vessels can be seen on xray, ct, ultrasound and mri, there are lots of ways to detect plaque and atherosclerosis.
Answered 9/7/2013
4.9k views
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