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Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Care at Riverside offers state-of-the-art technology to address the needs of patients with heart rhythm abnormalities. Because we are a site for clinical research trials, patients and referring physicians receive a wide range of cutting-edge treatments.
On this page
Tests to diagnose heart rhythms
Treatment for abnormal heart rhythms
When to call the doctor or 911
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Tests to diagnose heart rhythms
During a holter monitor test, electrical patches are placed on the chest and a small tape recorder is carried for 24 hours. This makes a tape of your heart rhythm. You may be asked to keep a diary of your activity during this time.
Loop Recorder is a small device that is placed under the skin on the chest. It is used to look for the cause of lightheadedness, dizziness, heart palpitations or fainting. When you have these signs, you start the device and it will record and store your heart rhythm for your heart doctor to review.
Tilt test is a 1 hour test to find out the cause of fainting. The person lies on a table and then the table moves from flat to nearly upright. This checks the body’s reaction to the change in position. You can learn more about this test from these OhioHealth patient information sheets: A Guide to a Tilt Table Study and also Tilt Table Testing & Vasopressor Syncope.
Electrophysiology Study (EPS) is a test that shows details of the electrical activity of the heart. A catheter is inserted into a vein in the groin area. This test takes 1-4 hours and is done by a cardiologist.
Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) is an ultrasound test to check your heart. During the test, a flexible probe is put down the throat so parts of the heart can be seen without the skin, ribs or muscles interfering with the pictures. The back of the throat is numbed and you are given a light sedative.
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Treatment for abnormal heart rhythms
- Medicines may be ordered to:
- Make the heart rate regular (called anti-arrhythmics)
- Slow down the heart rate
- Prevent clot formation (called blood thinners or anti-coagulants)
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is often done with an electrophysiology study. Radiofrequency energy is given to irritable areas in the heart’s electrical system to destroy the irregular rhythm pathways. This test can take a few hours. There is little discomfort.
- Cardioversion gives an electrical current to the chest to stop the heart so that it can restart in a normal pattern. Medicine is given so you will not feel or remember the electrical current. You will wake up soon after the procedure. Medicine is used with this procedure to help the heart keep a normal rhythm afterwards.
- A Pacemaker Placement is used to treat a slow heart rate. In surgery, the battery device or generator is placed under the skin in the left chest area and then wires, called coated leads, are connected to the heart. The pacemaker will monitor the rhythm of the heart. If the heart rate goes too slow, it will give an electrical impulse to make the heart speed up.
- Biventricular pacemaker is a device that makes both lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart pump at the same time. This is used to help weak heart muscles pump together for a more powerful contraction. The battery device or generator is placed under the skin. One coated wire (called a lead) is attached to each ventricle. This makes the ventricles contract at the same time causing the chambers of the heart to empty better. This treatment is also called cardiac resynchronization therapy or CRT.
- Implantable Cardiovertor Defibrillator (ICD) is a device to stop life-threatening heart rhythms. It is the best treatment of ventricular fibrillation which is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death. In surgery, a battery device, called a pulse generator, is placed under the skin. One, 2, or 3 coated wires (called leads) are connected to the heart. The pulse generator monitors the heart rhythm. If your heart goes into a life-threatening rhythm, the device gives an electrical current or shock to start your heart into a normal pattern. This shock is strong and may feel like a quick kick in the chest.
- Sensei (tm) Robotic Catheter System is used to treat heart arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation. The physician guides a small catheter from the leg into the heart. The physician then destroys tiny areas of heart muscle that are causing the abnormal rhythms.
Pacemakers, defibrillators and CRT systems are sensitive to strong electrical or magnetic fields. If you have one of these devices, use your cell phone on the ear farthest away from the device. Always show your device card at the airport security systems check. You will get more information about your device – read it carefully!
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When to call the doctor or 911
- Learn to take your pulse.
- Count the number of skipped or missed beats that you are having in 1 minute. If you feel you are having 5 or more skipped beats per minute, call your doctor.
- If your resting heart rate is less than 50 or above 120 beats per minute and you do not feel well call the emergency squad (911).
- If you have an ICD and get a shock, let your heart doctor know. If you get more than one shock in a row or do not feel good after a shock, call the emergency squad (911).
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