Cardiac Electrophysiology Services & Patient Preparation

We specialize in the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, or arrhythmias.

These disorders can include skipped or extra beats, slow heart beats or fast heart beats. They can present in a variety of ways including palpitations, fatigue, lightheadedness, or fainting spells. Some may not be noticed by the patient at all!

Due to the wide range of symptoms and conditions, a variety of testing and therapeutic options are available.

We also manage an arrhythmia device clinic for long-term management of patients with implanted devices including pacemakers and defibrillators.

More information can be found at http://www.hrsonline.org/PatientInfo/

Electrocardiogram

ECGs (or EKGs) are noninvasive tests which measure the heart’s electrical activity. They may also be part of a stress test.

Ambulatory heart monitors

These are devices that can be used to monitor your heart’s rhythm for an extended period of time, typically from 24 hours to 30 days. Occasionally when longer monitoring periods are needed, a small procedure can be done to place a small device just under the skin which allows us to monitor your heart rhythm for up to 3 years.

Tilt table testing

This is a test used to carefully observe changes in your heart rate and blood pressure that occur upon standing. It is usually done for patients with fainting spells.

Imaging

Determining the overall structural function of your heart is important in searching for a cause and choosing a treatment option for a particular heart rhythm disorder. A variety of tests may be performed including echocardiography, angiography, cardiac CT scan, and cardiac MRI.

Genetic testing

For patients with known or suspected familial disorders, blood can be obtained to help determine the specific genetic abnormality, which can help in screening family members as well as provide prognostic information.

Electrophysiology testing

This is a heart catheterization whereby small catheters are threaded through a vein into the heart. The catheters can provide important diagnostic information regarding the arrhythmia.

Catheter ablation

This is a heart catheterization whereby small catheters are threaded through a vein into the heart. The catheters are used to determine the type and origin of the heart rhythm disorder. A special catheter can then be used to cauterize the abnormal heart rhythm.

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is an implanted device designed to treat patients with slow heart beats. The surgery is generally done with intravenous sedation and takes an hour.

Defibrillator

A defibrillator (also known as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or ICD) is a device designed to treat patients diagnosed with or who are at risk for life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. The device will provide a shock if it detects these arrhythmias. Thousands of lives have been saved due to the use of ICDs. The surgery is generally done with intravenous sedation and takes an hour.

Biventricular devices

These can be a type of specialized pacemaker or defibrillators. They are designed to help a weak heart muscle pump more efficiently and improve the quality of life for patients with congestive heart failure.