In this section
The Heart Rhythm service at Manchester Royal Infirmary diagnoses and treats people with abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias. These are conditions in which the heart beats too fast, too slowly, or irregularly. People who have arrhythmias may experience palpitations (a sensation of fluttering or skipped beats in the chest), dizziness, faints, or shortness of breath. Some people with heart rhythm problems may not initially experience any symptoms, but may be at risk of stroke or cardiac arrest in the future if not properly treated.
Investigations performed by the heart rhythm service include:
- 12 lead ECG: a very commonly performed test in which the electricity that flows through the heart is measured by placing stickers on the chest.
- Ambulatory ECG monitoring: a small ECG monitor that a person can wear for 24 hours or longer that can detect intermittent arrhythmias – heart rhythm problems that are not present all the time.
- Exercise stress ECG: a series of ECGs that is recorded while someone is exercising on a treadmill to detect heart problems that reveal themselves during exercise.
- Implantable loop recorder: a miniaturised ECG monitor that is small enough to be injected under the skin of the chest, allowing continuous monitoring of the heart rhythm for up to 3 years.
Arrhythmias are treated across sites in Manchester. Some treatments are performed at Manchester Royal Infirmary:
- Pacemaker implantation: a pacemaker is a tiny electronic device usually used to treat conditions in which the heart beats too slowly. Conventional pacemakers include a small box that sits under the skin under the shoulder, connected to wires that travel through a patient’s veins down to the heart. In some circumstances a pacemaker may be implanted that does require wires (leadless pacemakers).
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): most ICDs are similar to a larger version of a pacemaker, that has the additional ability to detect if someone is having a cardiac arrest and automatically deliver an electric shock to restart the heart. Some ICDs are implanted so that there are no wires within the heart (S-ICDs)/
Other treatments for arrhythmias are only performed at Wythenshawe hospital
- Catheter ablation: wires are brought to the heart through small tubes at the top of the leg. These wires are used to measure the electricity that flow through the heart. Short circuits or irritable spots within the heart can be identified and then heating or freezing technology can be used to destroy these abnormal areas.
The department includes Consultant Cardiologists with expertise in heart rhythm problems, as well as specialist nurses and physiologists. Patients may be seen in clinic by a Consultant, a specialist doctor in training, a specialist nurse, or a specialist physiologist. All these professionals have expertise in their area, and there is always oversight from a Consultant.
Research is conducted by the Heart Rhythm service, with a particular focus on implantable device therapy including research into remote monitoring and novel means of pacing.
Contact Details
| Manchester Heart Centre Reception | 0161 276 4132 |
| Arrhythmia nurses | 0161 276 4657 |
| Pacemaker Physiologists | 0161 271 7535 |