Heart Rhythm Disturbances

ARMC electrophysiologists – Cardiologists who specialize in heart rhythm disturbances, or arrhythmias — perform a range of procedures in the electrophysiology (EP) lab to get heart rhythm back in sync. These include:

Permanent and biventricular pacemaker implantation

– Pacemakers are implanted in the upper chest to monitor heart rhythm and send out electrical signals to make the heart beat when needed. Different types of

pacemakers are used for different conditions. ARMC specialists have implanted thousands of pacemakers with excellent outcomes, and we provide comprehensive pacemaker follow-up services.

Automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) implantation

– AICDs are extremely sophisticated devices that function as a pacemaker for heart rates that are too slow and deliver life-saving shocks if the heart

rhythm becomes dangerously fast. They are very successful in treating tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, the main causes of sudden cardiac arrest.

Ablation

– ARMC electrophysiologists use this minimally invasive procedure to treat persistent heart rhythm disturbances that don’t respond to traditional medical treatments. Ablation involves the use of radio frequency waves to eliminate the small area of the heart’s electrical tissue causing the rhythm disturbance, thus restoring normal electrical traffic. “Complex” ablation procedures that make use of sophisticated computer-mapping systems to locate and eliminate the source of the abnormal rhythm also are performed with great success at ARMC.

RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE

Heart failure, the inability of the heart to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the needs of the body’s tissues, is a complex condition requiring multi-faceted and well-coordinated care. The Heart Failure Resource Center at AtlantiCare is staffed by specially trained healthcare providers who offer such care, providing expert treatment and guidance to men and women with this challenging condition.

As a result of our success in this field, ARMC has been recognized for excellence in the treatment of heart failure by two prestigious national organizations:

• The Joint Commission has awarded ARMC the Gold Seal of ApprovalTM for healthcare quality as well as Advanced Certification in Heart Failure, which recognizes exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for heart-failure patients.
• The American Heart Association has recognized ARMC with a Gold Performance Achievement Award for excellence in the treatment of heart failure.