Rytmihäiriölaite

Rytmihäiriölaite, meaning "arrhythmia device" in Finnish, is a general term that can refer to various medical devices used to diagnose, monitor, or treat cardiac arrhythmias. These devices play a crucial role in managing irregular heartbeats, which can range from minor inconveniences to life-threatening conditions.

Diagnostic devices include electrocardiogram (ECG) machines, which record the electrical activity of the heart to detect abnormal rhythms. Ambulatory ECG monitors, such as Holter monitors, allow for continuous recording of heart rhythm over a period of 24 hours or longer, capturing intermittent arrhythmias. Implantable loop recorders are even smaller devices that can be implanted under the skin to monitor heart rhythm for extended periods, up to several years.

Therapeutic devices are designed to correct or manage dangerous arrhythmias. Pacemakers are implanted to regulate a slow heart rate. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are designed to detect and treat dangerously fast and irregular heart rhythms by delivering an electrical shock. Catheter ablation is a procedure that uses heat or cold to destroy small areas of heart tissue that cause arrhythmias, and specialized catheters and mapping systems are used in this process. The specific type of rytmihäiriölaite employed depends on the individual patient's condition and the nature of their arrhythmia.