For patients in an abnormal heart rhythm, cardioversion utilizes medication or electricity to restore the rhythm back to normal. Pharmacologic cardioversion attempts to convert the rhythm using medication; electrical cardioversion converts the rhythm by delivering an external electric shock to reset the rhythm. External cardioversions must be done in a hospital setting so that you can be adequately sedated to make the procedure painless. This is an outpatient, same-day procedure.

This is a minimally invasive procedure done by Dr. Flyer and Dr. Marshall in our group that uses catheter technology to visualize the coronary arteries under flouroscoscpy. If needed, stents can be placed to open blocked coronary arteries during this procedure.

In patients with blocked coronary arteries, heart bypass surgery may be necessary. In this surgery, a patient’s veins and/or arteries are used to create a detour or “bypass” around the blocked part of the artery. The surgery is commonly called Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, or CABG (pronounced “cabbage”). If it is determined that CABG is the best treatment option for you, we will refer you to our surgical colleagues for the procedure. Because CardioCare is an independent group, we are not restrained as to who we refer to. We will recommend the best surgeons in the area as well as around the country.

This test allows us to see the anatomy of the coronary arteries, great vessels, and heart chambers in a non-invasive manner.

This tests allows us to assess the extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries in a non-invasive way. It is used most often to better define risk of significant coronary artery disease.

This is a minimally invasive study that provides information about electrical signals and pathways in the heart. An EP study can also guide an intervention called an ablation that aims to correct an electrical disorder. This procedure is done in a hospital setting by one of our electrophysiology colleagues.

An ICD is used to treat serious, life-threatening rhythm abnormalities. Similar to a pacemaker, an ICD is a small device that is implanted under the skin of the chest or abdomen. The ICD has wires with electrodes that connect to the chambers of the heart. The ICD continually monitors the heart’s rhythm. The defibrillator can function as a pacemaker to back-up the electrical system of the heart and to potentially correct an abnormal rhythm. When a dangerous rhythm occurs, the ICD has the capacity to shock the heart with a high-energy electrical pulse. An ICD is placed in a hospital setting and is usually an outpatient, same-day procedure.

A pacemaker is used to treat slow heart rhythms. It is a small device implanted under the skin of the chest with wires into the chambers of the heart. Depending on the electrical conduction it is treating, a pacemaker be continuously signaling the heart to beat. In the majority of cases, however, it serves as a safety net by constantly monitoring the heart rhythm and triggering the heart to beat if the heart is beating too slowly on its own. A pacemaker is placed in a hospital setting and is usually an outpatient, same-day procedure.

This is an ultrasound of your heart that is done via a probe that is put into your esophagus and stomach. This allows for very clear pictures of the heart chambers and valves. A TEE is often required prior to a cardioversion to ensure there are no clots in the heart. A TEE is done while you are sedated and comfortable. It is done in the hospital setting as an outpatient procedure.