While much of cardiology is focused on keeping veins and arteries open so blood can flow, another aspect is on the electrical signals that keep the heart pumping in its regular rhythm. When a patient has an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, a cardiac electrophysiologist can help.
Our electrophysiologists can perform an electrophysiology study to map the electrical functioning of your heart and then use radiofrequency energy (similar to microwave heat) to destroy, or ablate, a small area of heart tissue causing rapid or irregular heartbeats in order to restore your heart’s regular rhythm.
Cardiac electrophysiologists (EP’s) specialize in treating patients with heart rhythm disorders. These disorders can result in morbidity, stroke or sudden death.
With a team of 6 physicians and over 100 years of combined experience in the field, we are the largest and most experienced provider of heart rhythm care statewide.
We are a leading center for cryo-ablation, radiofrequency ablation, stereotactic ablation, device implantation, and extraction. We offer :
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Ablation
A Fib can be ablated with a cryo-balloon (freezing) or radiofrequency ablation. The procedure has become safe enough that patients are usually discharged the same day.
Atrial Flutter Ablation
Simple or complex atrial flutters can be ablated manually or stereotactically with excellent results.
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) Ablation
Most SVT can be easily ablated with minimal risk and patients can go home the same day.
Premature Ventricular Conatraction (PVC) Ablation
Stereotactic ablation of PVC’s has outperformed manual ablation. We are a global leader in stereotactic ablation.
Ventricular Tachyardia (VT) Ablation
Ventricular tachycardia, typically in patients with implantable defibrillators (ICD’s), is often treatable with ablation.
Pacemakers
Devices that pace the heart faster if it goes too slowly.
Implantable Defibrillators (ICD’s)
Devices, that in addition to being able to pace, can deliver a shock to stop life threatening rapid rhythms such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.
Biventricular Pacing or Cardiac Resyncronization Therapy (CRT)
Can markedly improve heart function and symptoms in a subset of heart failure patients who have ‘left bundle branch block.’
Lead Extraction
At times pacemaker or defibrillator leads have to be removed. This often requires laser lead extraction.