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Electrophysiology Clinic
Electrophysiology is a method of measuring the complex electrical activity of the heart through electrode catheters in the heart using various mapping and diagnostic tools. Arrthymias can be treated with interventions such as defibrillators, pacemakers, re-synchronization therapy and catheter ablations.
The pumping of the heart muscle generates a pulse, or heartbeat. The normal pattern of muscle contraction begins in the upper chambers the (atria), which pump blood into the lower chambers or the ventricles. The ventricles pump blood to the body and lungs. This coordinated action occurs because the heart is "wired" to send electrical signals that tell the chambers of the heart when to contract.
You may not be aware of your heartbeat most of the time. If you run up and down a flight of stairs, you may notice the pulse in your neck or chest becomes strong and rapid. Your heartbeat is able to speed up and slow down because it is wired with electrical tissue, similar to the wires that connect a stereo.
There are thousands of substances that have the potential to affect the heart's electrical system and alter its ability to pump blood through the body. Caffeine is the most common substance associated with heart arrhythmias. Some people feel palpitations when they eat chocolate or drink coffee, tea or red wine. Tobacco causes more heart and blood vessel disease, stroke and heart-related deaths than all illegal drugs combined.
Jeffery P. Courson, D.O. is the medical director of the electrophysiology program at Mid-Ohio Heart Clinic.
Electrophysiology services:
- Comprehensive diagnosis and management of cardiac arrhythmias
- Pacemaker and internal defibrillator implantation
- Electrophysiologic testing and radiofrequency ablation
- Pacemaker and implantable defibrillator clinic, including transtelephonic monitoring
- Ambulatory arrhythmia monitoring
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