• Cardioversion
• Electrocardiogram
• Cardiac Monitoring
  1. Holter Monitor
  2. Event Recorder

CARDIOVERSION
Occasionally patients develop abnormal heart rhythms which do not respond to traditional medication and require cardioversion. After careful evaluation and thorough consultation we may present this rather effective option to the patient.
The procedure is performed as an outpatient in the setting of controlled gentle sedation. A very light DC charge is passed across the heart-after which the patient is recovered and sent home. The total time involved is less than 3 hours. The procedure is successful in at least 70% of cases.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
The electrocardiogram (EKG) is one of the oldest and yet reliable tests in cardiology. Certain patterns on the EKG are diagnostic of heart disease-such as acute myocardial infarction(heart attack). Other patterns, although less specific, help us to diagnose a variety of problems associated with the heart and blood vessels. The test requires no preparation and takes less than 5 minutes. The EKG is often repeated frequently to observe changes that may indicate improvement or worsening of a heart problem. Many EKG tracings that are considered abnormal have no underlying related heart problem. In these situations, our cardiologists and staff will carefully explain this and reassure the patient and their family.

ARRHYTHMIA MONITORING SYSTEMS
Many patients experience irregularities of their heart rhythm, often accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness, or passing out. To properly evaluate these symptoms we provide several types of monitors that can record all or portions of your heart rhythm. This technology has been developed largely from the space program which used this type of monitoring for the astronauts.
The most common type of monitor is a 24 hour recording device (called a Holter Monitor, about the size of a walkman.. With this the patient is able to record the time of their symptoms and we can then correlate that with the findings on the monitor.
We also have event recorders that can be worn for a longer period of time or that can be used at the time the patient experiences symptoms.(King of Hearts Heart card). These are small devices used for symptoms which occur only intermittently.