There is no field within cardiology that has undergone as much change in the last decade than the field of electrophysiology (EP). With advances in catheter-based ablation and implantable cardiac devices, we are able to tackle diseases previously considered untreatable.
Our cardiac specialists remain at the cutting edge of arrhythmia management and perform not only simple ablations such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and atrial flutter, but also complex ablations including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
One method known as cryoablation involves using a catheter or probe that is cooled to sub-zero temperatures to alter the cells in the heart responsible for conducting arrhythmia so that they no longer conduct electrical impulses. Cryoablation patients benefit from:
- Reduced hospital stay (one day) and faster healing
- Less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication
- Shorter recovery time
- Quicker return to normal activity (about a week) and work (about two weeks)
- Smaller incisions and less scarring
- Fewer complications
If you or a loved one needs to see a heart rhythm specialist, the UT Health East Texas Cardiovascular Institute will provide you with the best care available. Please call 903-596-DOCS for more information.
Heart Monitoring
Do you have irregular heartbeats? Do you experience dizziness, palpitation, fainting or chest pain? These symptoms may suggest cardiac arrhythmia and can be potentially life threatening.
The Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) System is the newest monitor, approximately 1/3 the size of an AAA battery, that helps physicians accurately diagnose irregular heartbeats. Cardiac monitors have advanced from an external, wired monitor to a small, insertable device that is nearly invisible to the naked eye. Long gone are the days of external wires and 30-day monitoring. With the Reveal LINQ, you will not have to worry about the external, non-waterproof wires, and the monitor detects abnormal heart rhythms for up to three years. Benefits of the device include:
- Small and minimally invasive
- Technologically advanced
- MRI compatible
- Continuous data collection
- Improved efficiency
Talk with your physician for more information. If you do not have a physician, call UT Health East Texas Physicians at 903-596-DOCS, or click here to schedule an appointment online.