If you have symptoms of a problematic heart rhythm, you may be referred to a Cardiac Electrophysiology department. Heart rhythm issues cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or fatigue. These can be due to a range of conditions, like arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, heart block, and other heart rhythm disorders. Remedies include medication and lifestyle changes, or advanced treatments like pacemakers or defibrillators .
Cardiac electrophysiology is the study of the electrical properties of the heart. It explores how the heart generates and conducts electrical impulses that control the heartbeat. This field involves the study of the heart's electrical system and the various electrical signals that govern its rhythm and function.
Pacing refers to the use of electrical impulses to stimulate the heart to beat when the heart rhythm is irregular. Pacemakers are electrical signalling devices implanted to regulate the heartbeat. They are often used to treat conditions such as bradycardia, or a slow heartbeat.
In addition to pacemakers, other devices used in cardiac electrophysiology include:
- Defibrillators: used to restore the heart's rhythm in cases of life-threatening arrhythmias, and
- Implantable loop recorders: used to track the heart's rhythm over a prolonged period.
Cardiac electrophysiology and pacing are important, and rapidly developing fields, in cardiology. They are used to diagnose and treat a range of heart conditions, including arrhythmias, heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases.
At Blackrock Health, we have some of Ireland's most respected cardiologists, and cardiac & vascular surgeons on our team. No other hospital group in Ireland has as many female cardiologists. The Blackrock Clinic, in particular, has a long history of pioneering the newest heart treatments and procedures. Our three hospitals, the Blackrock, Galway, and Hermitage Clinics, ensure best practice in care. We provide minimally invasive treatments and the latest technology as well as traditional open-heart techniques. Blackrock Health also offers fast access to the five cath labs in our three hospitals. We provide the most accurate diagnostics and effective care plan possible, with the least possible delay. We offer easy access to our teams of consultants and clinical experts and are committed to helping you achieve optimal heart and vascular health.
We offer a range of treatments for heart rhythm disorders, including Pacemaker Implantation, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), Cardioversion, Loop Recorder, EP Study, and Cardiac Catheter Ablation. Our team of experts will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, using the latest technology and evidence-based practices. Our goal is to help you achieve optimal heart health and improve your quality of life. Below is a partial list of some of the diagnostic tests and treatments we can provide.
EP Study
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a medical procedure used to check the electrical activity of the heart. It can diagnose certain heart rhythm disorders or arrhythmias. During an EP study, thin, flexible wires called catheters are inserted into a vein in the leg or arm and threaded up to the heart.
The catheters can record the electrical signals generated by the heart. Small electrical pulses stimulate the heart to provoke or reproduce arrhythmias. This allows the doctor to find the origin of the abnormal electrical activity in the heart. They can then determine the best treatment options.
EP studies are performed in a hospital setting under local anaesthesia. They may be recommended for people who have symptoms of arrhythmia. These can be palpitations, dizziness, or fainting. Patients may also have a known heart rhythm disorder. The procedure takes several hours, and recovery time varies depending on the individual.
Pacemaker Implantation
A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is implanted under the skin, usually in the chest area, to regulate the heart's rhythm. Pacemaker implantation is a surgical procedure that is performed by a cardiologist or a cardiac surgeon.
The procedure involves making a small incision under the collarbone. The surgeon then inserts the pacemaker device into a pocket created beneath the skin. The pacemaker is connected to one or more leads, which are thin wires that are threaded through a vein and into the heart.
When the pacemaker is in place, it begins to track the heart's electrical activity. It sends electrical signals to the heart muscle when needed to help it beat in a regular rhythm. It can also record the heart's electrical activity and store this information for later analysis by the cardiologist.
Pacemaker implantation is typically performed under local anaesthesia. It takes place in the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) under the care of your cardiologist and cardiac team. It takes about one to two hours. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital within one to two days and can resume normal activities.
Pacemaker implantation is used to treat various heart conditions, including:
- Bradycardia (a slow heart rate),
- Heart block (a condition where the electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of the heart are disrupted), and
- Certain arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
It is a safe and effective procedure that can improve the quality of life for many people with heart conditions..
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
An ICD is a small electronic device that is implanted under the skin of the chest to track and regulate the heart's rhythm. It is used to treat people who are at high risk of sudden cardiac death due to a history of heart attacks, heart failure, or other heart conditions.
The ICD is programmed to detect and treat abnormal heart rhythms. These include ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, which can cause the heart to stop beating. If the ICD detects an abnormal rhythm, it will deliver an electrical shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm.
ICDs are similar in size to a pacemaker and are implanted through a minor surgical procedure. They can track and treat the heart's rhythm for several years before the battery needs to be replaced.
An ICD procedure takes place in the Cath Lab under your Cardiologist and cardiac team. It takes 1 to 2 hours. You will then remain an inpatient in the hospital overnight.
Cardioversion
Cardioversion is a medical procedure used to treat certain heart rhythm disorders. These are commonly atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or supraventricular tachycardia. During this procedure, a device called a cardioverter is used to deliver an electrical shock to the heart. This resets the heart's electrical activity and allows the heart to resume a normal rhythm.
This is a non-invasive procedure performed under sedation or anaesthesia. The patient is closely monitored during and after the procedure. It is performed in the Cath Lab by a Cardiologist and cardiac team specialising in Electrophysiology. It only takes a few minutes. You remain under surveillance and monitoring afterwards, which may prolong the stay to 4 to 6 hours.
Loop Recorder
Cardioversion is a medical procedure used to treat certain heart rhythm disorders. These are commonly atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or supraventricular tachycardia. During this procedure, a device called a cardioverter is used to deliver an electrical shock to the heart. This resets the heart's electrical activity and allows the heart to resume a normal rhythm.
This is a non-invasive procedure performed under sedation or anaesthesia. The patient is closely monitored during and after the procedure. It is performed in the Cath Lab by a Cardiologist and cardiac team specialising in Electrophysiology. It only takes a few minutes. You remain under surveillance and monitoring afterwards, which may prolong the stay to 4 to 6 hours.
Cardiac Ablation
Cardiac ablation is a medical procedure increasingly used to treat certain types of heart rhythm disorders (or arrhythmias) such as atrial fibrillation. It works by destroying or isolating the specific heart tissue that is causing the abnormal heart rhythm.
The procedure involves the use of a catheter, which is a long, thin, flexible tube inserted into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or neck. The catheter is then guided through the blood vessels to the heart. Imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy are used to guide its placement.
A special electrode is used to deliver a mild electrical current to the heart tissue that creates a small scar or lesion. This disrupts the abnormal electrical signals that were causing the arrhythmia. This process is repeated at various locations in the heart, depending on the specific arrhythmia and its location.
There are an increasing number of cardiac ablation techniques, such as:
- Radiofrequency ablation, in which a high-frequency electrical current is used to create the lesions, and
- Cryoablation, in which extreme cold is used instead of heat.
The choice of ablation technique depends on several factors. This includes the location and extent of the abnormal heart tissue, the experience of the team, and the availability of the technology.
New technology is developing rapidly in this area. Blackrock Health aims to adopt the best of these to provide the best cardiac care to our patients. This hospital also added a programme of electroporation using pulsed-field ablation. This involves using heat generated from an electrical current to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing the problem. The heat is delivered through a catheter inserted into the heart, and the procedure is typically done under local anaesthesia with sedation. The system used in Blackrock Clinic achieves more controlled cauterisation and less damage to healthy tissue.
Cardiac ablation is a safe and effective treatment for certain types of heart rhythm disorders. It can often help patients to control their symptoms, reduce their dependency on certain medications and improve their quality of life.
How do I get this?
You will need a referral letter from your GP or consultant before you make an appointment.
Is this insured?
Not all services are covered by health insurance. To find out if you're covered, please check your health insurance before your visit. You can do this on our health insurance cover check page, or by contacting your health insurer.
How do I pay?
If you do not have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the full cost, you will need to pay the balance due before your treatment or procedure. You may be able to claim back some fees on your insurance. To pay an excess not covered by your insurance or any other inpatient fees, please visit our payment page. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.