Arrhythmias
Heart Rhythm Program Helps Patients' Hearts Keep a Steady Beat
The electrophysiologists at the Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute's Heart Rhythm Program help hundreds of patients each year to keep a steady beat - a steady heartbeat, that is. Our specialists treat all types of arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms, including:
- Accessory pathway tachycardias
- Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
- Atrial flutter
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
- Premature atrial contractions (PACs)
- Ventricular tachycardia
Diagnosis
To diagnose a heart arrhythmia, your doctor may ask about - or test for - conditions that may trigger your arrhythmia, such as heart disease or a problem with your thyroid gland. Your doctor may also perform heart-monitoring tests specific to arrhythmias. These may include:
Comprehensive Heart Rhythm Treatment
Drug treatment is often the first option for treating arrhythmias. However medication may not be enough to solve rhythm disorders. When more advanced treatment are needed, physicians at the Torrance Memorial Heart Rhythm Center use the latest technology to diagnose problems and conduct minimally invasive procedure in our electrophysiology laboratories and operating rooms.
These are just a few of the procedures performed:
Advanced Hybrid Ablation Procedures
While other treatment techniques for persistent atrial fibrillation use either a catheter-based approach or a surgical approach, a hybrid ablation combines surgical and catheter-based techniques. During a hybrid ablation, an electrophysiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon work together to create a scar tissue on both the inside and outside of the heart to help restore normal heart rhythm.
Pacemakers
A pacemaker is an implanted medical device that stimulates the heart muscle with electrical discharges that causes the heart to beat.
Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator
An Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) is an implanted electronic device that constantly monitors heart rhythm. It has the capability to work as a pacemaker and/or to defibrillate the heart during very fast abnormal heart rhythm. The device is implanted to protect against sudden cardiac death.
Cardioversion
A procedure performed using a low energy shock to restore the heart to a normal rhythm.
Left Atrial Exclusion
Left Atrial Exclusion consists of excluding or closing the left atrial appendage, which is a normal outpouching of the atria, which may collect blood clots caused by atrial fibrillation. The surgeon does this by suturing the left atria closed or applying a clip to it, which prevents blood clots from entering your circulation and potentially causing a stroke.
State-of-the-Art Facilities & Technology
Our specialists perform electrophysiology treatment procedures in two dedicated, fully staffed electrophysiology labs equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including:
- 3D Electro-Anatomical Mapping System - These advanced systems allow our physicians to create a three-dimensional model of any chamber of the heart, which is then used as a guide during an ablation procedure.
- Topera 3D Rotor Mapping Solution - The Topera provides rotor mapping that helps our physicians deliver effective treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation.
