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Cardiac Electrophysiologic Studies and T-wave Alternans Testing

The cardiac electrophysiology laboratories at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital offer the most advanced diagnostic tools for diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias. Through early detection and treatment, severe arrhythmias can be diagnosed and treated, with the goal of relieving symptoms and preventing the common causes of sudden cardiac death. Included among the advanced diagnostic tests for arrhythmias performed at NewYork-Presbyterian are:

Electrophysiologic Studies. For patients with arrhythmias, electrophysiologic studies can be used to determine the part of the heart that is causing the abnormal rhythm, and which treatments work best to return that rhythm to normal. The test involves placing temporary electrode catheters into blood vessels, typically in the groin, then guiding them into the heart. The electrodes are used to evaluate the electrical system of the heart. The electrodes can also be used to deliver small electrical impulses to the heart, which may trigger an arrhythmia, enabling your physician to evaluate the heart's conduction system under controlled conditions. Such studies help physicians to determine where the arrhythmias originate and provide an important guide for establishing the best course of treatment.

T-wave Alternans Testing. Using T-wave alternans testing, our cardiologists are able to identify those at risk of sudden cardiac death, and formulate the proper treatment strategy to prevent it. This testing modality is effective for identifying those at risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. Electrodes that monitor heart rate and rhythm are placed on the chest; the heart rate is raised to between 90 and 110 beats per minute, either by having the individual walk on a treadmill, or by pacing the heart using catheters. This diagnostic tool is more sensitive than electrocardiography, and performed as well as invasive electrophysiological studies in identifying those at risk for ventricular arrhythmias.

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Cardiology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia
Directions
(212) 305-4736
Cardiology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell
Directions
(212) 746-2150
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