Heart Rhythm Disorders

At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, we perform advanced procedures that allow patients with heart rhythm disorders to live normal lives, often without medication.

Arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms, are caused by changes in the electrical impulses that flow through your heart. These abnormal rhythms can cause your heart to beat irregularly, too quickly (called tachycardia) or too slowly (called bradycardia).

What heart rhythm disorders does UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Institute treat?

Using the latest diagnostic technology, the team at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute will find the cause of your arrhythmia and develop a treatment plan. We use the latest techniques and therapies to control or eliminate heart rhythm disorders including:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Supraventricular tachycardia, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Long QT syndrome
• Sick sinus syndrome
• Conduction block
• Premature heartbeats

How are heart rhythm disorders diagnosed and treated?

If you or a loved one is suffering from an arrhythmia, you can trust our Heart Rhythm Disorders program to provide advanced, comprehensive care for both common and complex conditions. Our services include:

Diagnostic Procedures

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Holter monitor
• Event recorder
• Echocardiogram
• Electrophysiology (EP) study

Medications

• Medications can be used to control your heart rhythm and prevent blood clots that can lead to a stroke.
• If your doctor prescribes blood thinners for you, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute offers a telephone-based anticoagulation clinic (PDF) to help regulate your blood-thinner dosage.

Nonsurgical Procedures

• Cardioversion
• Catheter ablation 

Hybrid Procedures

• Hybrid ablation

Surgical Procedures

• Surgical ablation of A-fib (MAZE)
• Total thoracoscopic MAZE
• Concomitant MAZE with valve or CABG
• Left atrial appendage ligation (LAL)
• Watchman procedure
• Implantables

How can we help?

If you or a loved one is living with a heart rhythm disorder, our Heart Rhythm Disorders program can help. For more information or to set up a consultation, call UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute closest to you.

Need more information?

Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Practices
Cumberland/Dauphin/Franklin/Perry Counties: 717-731-0101
Pediatric : 717-761-0200
Hanover: 717-637-1738
Lancaster/Lititz: 717-299-5000
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery: 717-231-8555

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