Cardiac EP and Arrhythmias
Overview
Cardiac electrophysiology (EP) is a sub-specialty that concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm related disorders. Heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias) occur both in young and older individuals. Conditions affecting the heart’s rhythm may be associated with troubling symptoms such as palpitations (skipped beats or racing), dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort or fainting. Dangerous and in certain individuals, inherited heart rhythm disorders may result in sudden cardiac arrest. Unlike a heart attack, cardiac arrest occurs when the heart beat is very fast and results in ineffective contraction resulting in collapse and possible death.
The vast majority of heart rhythm abnormalities can be readily treated and patients can either be cured of or successfully managed with excellent long-term outcomes. Treatments take the form of cardiac ablation which uses either heat energy (radio-frequency) or cold treatment (cryoenergy) to modify the heart’s electrical signals. Pacemakers are sometimes implanted to help keep a normal heart beat. A defibrillator is used to prevent sudden cardiac death.
Mission
The mission of the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia section is to provide world-class comprehensive heart rhythm care ensuring the medical readiness of our nation’s active duty war fighters. We also provide lifesaving and quality of life restoring heart rhythm care to our active duty service members and their dependents and our distinguished TRICARE retiree community.
Vision
To be the premier Cardiac Electrophysiology division within the Department of Defense’s military health system delivering state of the art, highly specialized arrhythmia care.
To develop a global referral network within the military health systems in order to optimize the delivery of advanced electrophysiology services.
Conditions we treat:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Atrial tachycardia
- Bradycardia
- Brugada syndrome
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy
- Fainting
- Heart block
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Idiopathic ventricular tachycardia
- Left bundle branch block
- Long QT syndrome
- Pacemakers
- Premature Ventricular Contractions
- Short QT syndrome
- Supraventricular tachycardia
- Syncope
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Torsade de pointes
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome
Recommended Websites for Patients
Please contact our service should you have any questions or concerns.
Front Desk: 210-916-0935