BHS Electrophysiology Services

The skills and equipment for treating irregular heart rhythms are highly specialized, but must be tightly integrated with the patient's overall health and treatment for other conditions. Our services specialize in conditions and procedures that require a high level of expertise, and offer a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options for patients who suffer from an abnormal heart rhythm.

Telehealth

Telehealth describes a way to deliver and get healthcare from a distance using telecommunications technology (audio and video). Nurses or clinical support staff will facilitate your telehealth visit with a specialist, increasing access and reducing travel time and costs, particularly for people in rural and remote areas. BHS Electrophysiology is pleased to offer Telehealth services at the following location:

Butler Health System Medical Suites
2 Park Way, Seneca Commons
Seneca, PA 16346

To learn more about Telehealth, click here.

BHS Device Management Clinic

The BHS Device Management Clinic is a team of specially-trained Registered Nurses that work closely and collaboratively with your doctor to provide care to patients with Implanted Cardiac Devices such as pacemakers, internal cardiac defibrillators (sometimes referred to as ICD), and implantable loop recorders. Care is provided both in the Electrophysiology office and at home using remote home monitoring technology.

What We Do

The staff of the BHS Device Management Clinic utilize the latest technology to ensure that patients with Cardiac Implanted Devices are receiving the appropriate treatment based on your individual needs. The device management team will work collaboratively with your physician to ensure you are receiving seamless care and will ensure proper open lines of communication among all providers.

Appointments

Anyone can make an appointment simply by calling the office. You do not need a doctor referral. You will be asked a few simple questions and will be given an appointment within a few days. The office has early morning appointments as well as afternoon appointments, 5 days a week.

BHS Device Management Clinic
One Hospital Way, First Floor
Butler, PA 16001
724.431.0550

Electrophysiology Procedures:

• Diagnostic EP Study - Special catheters are placed into the heart which allow the physician to diagnose abnormal heart beats.
• RF Ablation Including SVT - Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure using a catheter which heats abnormal heart tissue, creating a small scar and eliminating the source of arrhythmias (abnormal rhythms). Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) are fast heartbeats originating in the upper half of the heart.
• Complex Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) Ablation - An ablation procedure using either cold (cryo) or heat (radiofrequency) energy to create scar tissue in the left atrium to stop atrial fibrillation. Typically this involves stopping rapid triggers coming from the pulmonary veins that have been shown to cause atrial fibrillation. The procedure is often referred to as pulmonary vein isolation or "PVI".
• Convergent Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation - This is a procedure for patients with more advanced and/or longstanding atrial fibrillation. It is a two step procedure. The first procedure is performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon and involves performing RF ablation of the posterior wall of the left atrium through a small incision under the ribs. The second procedure typically performed 6 weeks later by an electrophysiologist, involves pulmonary vein isolation using 2-3 small IVs placed in the femoral vein. The procedure offers the potential advantage of improved success rates and lower complication rates for patients with atrial fibrillation. Please talk to your doctor to see if you may be a candidate for this procedure.
• Pacemaker - An implanted device which makes sure the heart beats at a specific rate. Small wire(s) are advanced through the vein under your collarbone down to the heart, then attached to a small device placed under the skin of the upper chest.
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) - An ICD Implant is an implanted device which can detect and treat very rapid (life threatening) heartbeats. All ICDs also function as pacemakers. As with pacemakers, small wires are advanced through a vein under the collar bone to the heart, then attached to a device implanted under the skin of the upper chest.
• Leadless Pacemaker - This is a pacemaker that is about the size of a large medication capsule. It is implanted in the right ventricle of the heart through an IV in the femoral vein. Some of the potential advantages of leadless pacemakers are: no visible scar or lump under the skin, less post op restrictions such as restricting arm motion or keeping an incision dry, less overall complications. Since there is no pocket and there are no leads, many complications of conventional pacemakers such as pocket infections, lead fractures or dislodgements are reduced. Ask your doctor if you may be a candidate for a leadless pacemaker.
• Pacemaker and ICD Lead Extraction - This procedure involves removal of pacemaker and/or ICD leads. Some indications for lead extraction include: Infection, lead fracture, need to add more leads with an occluded vein. Over time leads can become attached to the inner wall of the venous system between the implanted device in the upper chest and the heart. Extraction usually involved using mechanical tools and/or lasers to help free up the leads from the vein so they can be removed. This procedure is done in collaboration with a cardiothoracic surgeon usually in the Operating Room.
• Cryoablation - This is a procedure that freezes abnormal heart tissue responsible for abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias). Most often used as a treatment for atrial fibrillation.
• PVC Ablation - This is an RF Ablation treatment for extra heartbeats which originate in the lower half of the heart.
• Complex Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Ablation - A VT Ablation is a treatment for a sustained rapid heartbeat originating in the lower heart.
• Cardioversion - Cardioversion is a procedure that can be used to correct abnormal timing when the heart beats unusually fast. Click here to learn more.
• Catheter ablation - This procedure corrects a disturbance in the heart rhythm by curing short circuits. Click here to learn more.
• Implantable electrocardiographic monitoring device - Some patients can benefit from continuous, ongoing electrocardiogram monitoring, which can be accomplished using a device implanted under the skin.
• LifeVest™- Patients at risk of sudden heart attack could benefit from use of the LifeVest™, a personal defibrillator that provides continual monitoring of the heart and can deliver life-saving shock treatment.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) - The TEE is an advanced test that produces images of the patient’s heart using ultrasound technology. The images produced by a TEE are more advanced and clear than those possible from a regular echocardiogram.

Electrophysiology Conditions:

• Atrial fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation is a condition that affects the heart’s electrical system. It is a type of arrhythmia that usually occurs when the heart’s upper chambers are driven rapidly by a renegade timer or timers. Click here to learn more about this condition.
• Bradycardia - Bradycardia means a slow heartbeat. There can be a number of underlying causes, such as an electrical problem, anorexia, sleep apnea, or a heart attack. Your doctor can diagnose bradycardia using an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Click here to learn more about this condition.

Medications:

• Amiodarone - This medication may be used to treat abnormal heartbeats. It is a drug with dangerous side effects, and for this reason it is always started in a hospital setting so a doctor can closely monitor the patient’s initial response. Click here to learn more about Amiodarone.
• Apixaban - Apixaban is a blood thinner medication that is used to prevent blood clots. It is also known by the brand name Eliquis. Click here to learn more about Apixaban.
• Warfarin - Also known by the brand names Coumadin and Jantoven, Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots by thinning the blood, thereby lowering the risk of stroke or cardiac arrest. Click here to learn more about Warfarin.