ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Arrhythmias are disturbances in the heart's rate or rhythm that are caused by problems with the heart's electrical system. Electrophysiology is the study and treatment of arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can originate in the heart's upper chambers (the atria), in the heart's lower chambers (the ventricles), or on the path between the two chambers (called atrioventricular or heart block). An arrhythmia that causes the heart to beat rapidly is called tachycardia and an arrhythmia that causes the heart to beat slowly is called bradycardia. The physicians at the Electrophysiology Lab at Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute (LHHVI) are highly skilled at diagnosing and treating common arrhythmias including:

• Atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia and a risk factor for stroke, which occurs when an electrical signal that usually causes the atria to contract in an organized way circles through the atria in an uncoordinated way;
• Premature atrial contraction, in which a heartbeat originates in the atria, but not in the sinus node;
• Supraventricular tachycardia, which occurs when an electrical signal that causes contractions reenters the atria;
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, in which abnormal electrical pathways between the atria and ventricles allow electrical signals to arrive in the ventricles without pausing in the atrioventricular node.
• Heart block, an abnormality of the spread or flow of electrical activity from the atria to the ventricles;
• Premature ventricular complex, which occurs when the ventricles contract before the next normal heartbeat is due;
• Ventricular tachycardia, in which the ventricles beat between 100 and 250 times per minute, and can lead to ventricular fibrillation; and
• Ventricular fibrillation, which occurs when the ventricles, the heart's main pumping chambers, quiver instead of contract, and can cause sudden death.

Arrhythmias can be complex medical conditions, their effects ranging from annoying to life threatening, and not all treatments are right for everybody. It is important to choose a medical team that has the skills and experience necessary to accurately diagnose your arrhythmia and provide the right treatment in a caring environment. With the Electrophysiology Lab at LHHVI, you can rest assured that you have entrusted your care to one of the premier electrophysiology centers in the country. The Electrophysiology Lab is a state-of-the-art facility that offers the latest techniques and devices for the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. The Electrophysiology Lab is composed of physicians and nurses who bring decades of training and experience in electrophysiology, providing a comprehensive approach to your care that is second to none.

Electrophysiology is a technology-driven, rapidly evolving medical specialty that allows physicians to diagnose and treat arrhythmias in ways that weren't possible until recently. Treatments that once required open surgery can now be performed using minimally invasive techniques: tiny instruments and devices delivered through small incisions, which offers less discomfort and recovery time. The medical professionals at the Electrophysiology Lab stay on the cutting edge of this fast-paced specialty to ensure that you have the full spectrum of diagnostic and treatment options, including:

• Electrophysiology testing, in which the electrode-tipped catheters are threaded to the heart to record the heart's electrical activity and to simulate arrhythmias to map the area of the heart where the arrhythmia is occurring;
• Tilt table testing, in which a patient lies on a table that moves from parallel to the floor to nearly perpendicular to determine the cause of fainting;
• Defibrillator implantation, a device that monitors the heart for rhythm abnormalities and delivers an electrical pulse to restore normal rhythm when one occurs;
• Pacemaker implantation, which regulates a slow or erratic heartbeat;
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy, in which a pacemaker-like device restores synchronization of the ventricles to certain heart failure patients; and
• Ablation, which uses ultrasound to destroy the specific heart tissue that causes the arrhythmia.

The medical team at the Electrophysiology Lab offers more than technology and medical techniques, however. They offer a consultative, comprehensive approach to your care. That means that your medical team will meet with you before any testing or procedure, educate you about your condition, work with you to choose the right treatment, and provide the necessary follow-up. The team at the Electrophysiology Lab combine decades of training and experience, the latest in medical techniques, facilities, and technologies, and an environment that is patient- and family-friendly to ensure the best possible outcome for you.

Lenox Hill Hospital
130 East 77th Street,
13th floor
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 434-3420
Fax: (212) 434-3410
map and directions