Electrophysiology at Phoebe
At Phoebe, we offer complete consultative, diagnostic and disease management services for patients with heart rhythm disturbances. Our EP physician is board-certified in electrophysiology and exclusively focuses on heart rhythm or arrhythmia. Many of these involve heartbeats that are irregular or too fast. Some conditions are more dangerous than others.
Heart rhythm-related conditions include:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Atrial flutter
- Atrial tachycardia
- Heart block
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- Premature atrial contractions
- Premature ventricular contractions
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Long QT syndrome
Diagnostic Services and Treatments for Heart Rhythm Disruptions
An electrophysiologist can do rhythm recording or heart imaging to look for the cause of your issue. Many of these procedures are noninvasive. Some may require an IV in your arm.
Tests may include:
- Electrophysiology study
- Ablations
- Tilt table test
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Holter monitor
- Event monitoring
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Pacemaker, loop recorder and defibrillator placement
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Lead extraction
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Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE)
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Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
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Computed tomography (CT)
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Cardiac MRI
When should you see a cardiac electrophysiologist?
It is important to see a heart rhythm specialist if you or a loved one is experiencing any issues such as fatigue, dizziness, fainting or a slow, irregular or rapid heartbeat. Many heart rhythm issues have similar symptoms in common. It takes an electrophysiologist’s expertise to determine which kind of abnormal heart rhythm you’re having.
Without treatment, arrhythmias can lead to a heart attack or stroke. In many cases, an isolated treatment such as an ablation or device placement such as a pacemaker, will correct your heart rhythm disturbance for optimal heart health.
Treatments include:
- Medicine. You take this regularly or receive it in an IV when the need is urgent.
- Pacemakers. These use electrical impulses to correct an issue with your heart’s electrical system.
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). These can shock your heart when you need it.
- Cardioversion. An external device shocks your heart to get its rhythm back to normal.
- Catheter ablation. A provider uses this to make scars that keep irregular impulses from getting through and causing abnormal heart rhythms.
- Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) therapy. Through a minimally-invasive procedure a small device is implanted that vastly improves heart function.
Your physician may refer you by calling 229-312-7790.