Electrophysiology – Cardiac Monitoring Device Department

Electophysiologists with long experience, accredited by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) as Certified Electrophysiology Specialists and Certified Cardiac Device Specialists / Level 2, offer their services at the Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing Department. All procedures are performed in the fully equipped Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory, with the aim of investigating and offering interventional treatment for complex cardiac arrhythmias.

The Department offers the following services for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias:

• Electrophysiology studies

An electrophysiology study is a minimally invasive diagnostic exam performed at the Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory. This diagnostic study is painless and safe, and is performed on patients who have fainted (syncopal attacks) or have developed pathological tachycardia. In certain occasions, it is also performed to assess arrhythmic risk in patients with inherited and/or structural heart disorders.

• Ablation of atrial fibrillation with cryoablation, radiofrequency energy and newer 3D electroanatomic mapping systems.
• Ablation of supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias using 3D electroanatomic mapping systems.

Ablation is a minimally invasive method used to identify arrhythmia sources and eliminate them permanently using radiofrequency energy or cryoablation. Currently, it is the safest and most advanced and efficient method to treat certain cardiac arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardias, ventricular tachycardia), leading to permanent cure with exceptionally high success rates, over 95% in some cases. The qualified cardiologists leading the Cardiac Electrophysiology Department have long experience in interventional electrophysiology and perform all the therapeutic ablation procedures using the most advanced pertinent technology incorporating 3D electroanatomic mapping systems.

• Implantation of pacemakers, defibrillators and biventricular systems

A pacemaker is a very small electronic device that protects you in the event of bradycardia. It is implanted under the skin through a small incision on the upper part of the chest, while special fine electrodes are advanced and placed in the heart chambers under fluoroscopy. Every time this smart device promptly identifies and senses an anomaly in the electrical activity of the heart, it causes an electrical stimulation, ensuring normal heart rate.

• Implantation of leadless pacing systems
• Subcutaneous implantation of internal loop recorders (ILRs)