Editing Heart (section)

==== Cardiac arrhythmias ====
{{Main|Heart arrhythmia|Radiofrequency ablation|Artificial cardiac pacemaker}}Abnormal heart rhythms ([[Heart arrhythmia|arrhythmias]]) can be treated using antiarrhythmic drugs. These may work by manipulating the flow of electrolytes across the cell membrane (such as [[calcium channel blocker]]s, [[sodium channel blocker]]s, [[amiodarone]], or [[digoxin]]), or modify the autonomic nervous system's effect on the heart ([[beta blocker]]s and [[atropine]]). In some arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation which increase the risk of stroke, this risk can be reduced using anticoagulants such as [[warfarin]] or [[novel oral anticoagulants]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last1=Kirchhof|first1=Paulus|last2=Benussi|first2=Stefano|last3=Kotecha|first3=Dipak|last4=Ahlsson|first4=Anders|last5=Atar|first5=Dan|last6=Casadei|first6=Barbara|last7=Castella|first7=Manuel|last8=Diener|first8=Hans-Christoph|last9=Heidbuchel|first9=Hein|date=November 2016|title=2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS|journal=Europace|volume=18|issue=11|pages=1609–1678|doi=10.1093/europace/euw295|issn=1532-2092|pmid=27567465|doi-access=free}}</ref>

If medications fail to control an arrhythmia, another treatment option may be [[catheter ablation]]. In these procedures, wires are passed from a [[Femoral vein|vein]] or [[Femoral artery|artery]] in the leg to the heart to find the abnormal area of tissue that is causing the arrhythmia. The abnormal tissue can be intentionally damaged, or ablated, by [[Radiofrequency ablation|heating]] or [[Cryoablation|freezing]] to prevent further heart rhythm disturbances. Whilst the majority of arrhythmias can be treated using minimally invasive catheter techniques, some arrhythmias (particularly [[atrial fibrillation]]) can also be treated using open or [[Thoracoscopy|thoracoscopic]] surgery, either at the time of other cardiac surgery or as a standalone procedure. A [[cardioversion]], whereby an electric shock is used to stun the heart out of an abnormal rhythm, may also be used.

Cardiac devices in the form of [[Artificial cardiac pacemaker|pacemakers]] or [[Defibrillation|implantable defibrillators]] may also be required to treat arrhythmias. Pacemakers, comprising a small battery powered generator implanted under the skin and one or more leads that extend to the heart, are most commonly used to treat abnormally [[Bradycardia|slow heart rhythms]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=European Society of Cardiology (ESC)|last2=European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)|last3=Brignole|first3=Michele|last4=Auricchio|first4=Angelo|last5=Baron-Esquivias|first5=Gonzalo|last6=Bordachar|first6=Pierre|last7=Boriani|first7=Giuseppe|last8=Breithardt|first8=Ole-A.|last9=Cleland|first9=John|date=August 2013|title=2013 ESC guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy: the task force on cardiac pacing and resynchronization therapy of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)|journal=Europace|volume=15|issue=8|pages=1070–1118|doi=10.1093/europace/eut206|issn=1532-2092|pmid=23801827|doi-access=free}}</ref> Implantable defibrillators are used to treat serious life-threatening rapid heart rhythms. These devices monitor the heart, and if dangerous heart racing is detected can automatically deliver a shock to restore the heart to a normal rhythm. Implantable defibrillators are most commonly used in patients with heart failure, [[Cardiomyopathy|cardiomyopathies]], or inherited arrhythmia syndromes.