Abnormalities in the "electrical" conducting system can cause arrhythmias, causing your heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. Your body may not get the blood it needs causing you to become dizzy or faint, and, sometimes causing debilitating, life-threatening situations including sudden death.

Electrophysiologic tests are utilized by LewisGale Heart Center to find out why your heart is not beating in a normal way. These tests study the electrical flow in your heart. They tell your physician what he or she needs to know, what the problem is, and how it may be corrected. They also tell the doctor if medicine is working. These tests occur in a catheterization laboratory.

Our Heart Center recently opened a new electrophysiology laboratory where the latest in diagnostic and treatment procedures are offered:

Electrophysiology Studies - A non-surgical procedure in which an electrophysiologic test "maps" the electrical system of your heart. Thin tubes, or catheters are inserted through your groin or arm and guided to the problem area in your heart.

Catheter Ablation - A procedure used to fix an arrhythmia and restore proper heart rhythm. One or more catheters are guided into one or more veins and the end of the catheter, which includes a special tip, destroys the part of the heart that's causing the abnormal beat.

Pacemakers

Implantable defibrillators