Electrophysiology
Specialized care for cardiac rhythm disorders
Just about everyone experiences a skipped or extra beat now and again. And the symptoms that may accompany such an event, including palpitations or dizziness, don't necessarily indicated the severity of the problem.
The heart is resilient. Yet the balance between the heart's electrical impulses, muscle contraction and blood flow is complex. Coronary artery disease, structural defects and other conditions can bring about an irregular heartbeat. Cardiac arrhythmias can make it difficult to enjoy life fully and can lead to heart attack, heart failure or sudden cardiac death.
Physicians who specialize in the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders are called electrophysiologists. Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias include:
- Palpitations - described as missed beats, skips, thumps, butterflies, fluttering or racing.
- Dizziness - typically expressed as a sensation of falling rather than a sensation of spinning.
- Fainting or syncope - complete loss of consciousness with falling or physical collapse.
- Chest pain - often caused by the heart muscle growing tired after an extended period of rapid beating.
- Shortness of breath - the feeling of not being able to catch your breath.
Treatment
Treatment options for cardiac rhythm disorders vary based upon the type of arrhythmia. The course of treatment may include:
- Watchful waiting and monitoring
- Medications to control heart rate/rhythm
- Medications to reduce stroke risk
- Cardioversion (a procedure that can return the heart to normal rhythm)
- Ablation (a procedure to disrupt the abnormal electrical pathways in the heart that cause the rhythm disturbance)
- Pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
Nationally Recognized Care
The American College of Cardiology has recognized UK King's Daughters for demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to an electrophysiology (EP) lab for care. King's Daughters was awarded Electrophysiology Accreditation in December 2023 based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff's ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who come to the EP lab.
EP labs provide care for patients with arrhythmias, including treatments such as cardiac ablation and implantable devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD).
