Treating Rhythm Disturbances 

A disturbance in the timing (rhythm) or force of a heartbeat is called an arrhythmia. When the heart beats too fast it's called tachycardia, and when it beats too slowly it's called bradycardia. Fibrillation means the heartbeats are fast and uncoordinated. All forms of arrhythmia are skillfully diagnosed and treated by electrophysiologists (cardiologists specializing in heart rhythm disturbances) at the Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital

How are arrhythmias treated at Doylestown Hospital?

Ongoing advances in medications to treat arrhythmias, combined with appropriate lifestyle changes, have meant that many people with arrhythmias can lead full and active lives without more invasive treatment. However, for the most serious types of arrhythmias, patients find help and hope in the leading-edge, minimally invasive procedures performed in our new, state-of-the-art electrophysiology lab.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)

ICDs are implanted much like a pacemaker, but in this case to prevent sudden cardiac arrest. If the heart begins to beat too rapidly or irregularly, the ICD detects this and passes an electrical current through the heart to restore normal rhythm or instead of shocking, tries to pace the heart out of an undesirable rhythm. 

Bi Ventricular (BiV) Pacemakers

BiV pacemakers are similar to ICDs but have an extra lead inserted into the coronary sinus so the heart is paced on both left and right sides.  This is very important for those patients who are suffering from severe heart failure and their heart muscle is weak.

Ablation

Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to eliminate the small area of heart tissue causing the rhythm disturbance, thus restoring normal rhythm.

Pacemakers

Pacemakers are implanted under the skin just below the collarbone to treat a heartbeat that is too slow. A wire going from the pacemaker to the heart delivers a stimulus if the heart misses a beat.

Where are the procedures performed? 

EP procedures are performed in a dedicated electrophysiology lab, one of the newest cath labs at the Heart Institute. Our electrophysiologists have access to specialized imaging technology as well as the latest version of cardiac mapping software. During a cardiac mapping procedure, the electrophysiologist inserts a thin wire (catheter) into a leg vein and threads it up into the heart. Miniature electrodes on the tip of the catheter feed information to a computer, which generates a 3-D image that shows exactly where the abnormal rhythm is originating.

The following electrophysiology specialists are on staff at The Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital. 



John D. Harding, MD
Andrew G. Rudnick, MD
Robert M. Sangrigoli, MD
Stephen B. Sloan, MD