Our Electrophysiology (EP) Clinic offers the latest tests and treatments for people experiencing heart rhythm problems known as arrhythmias. Our team has decades of experience diagnosing and treating all arrhythmia types—from the common atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) to more complex problems. We have the only EP clinic in the Lancaster region offering comprehensive care for people experiencing arrhythmias.
What Is Cardiac Electrophysiology?
Your heart has an electrical conduction system that sends signals to regulate your heart’s pumping action. When something disrupts this electrical activity, your heart may beat too slowly, too quickly or out of rhythm. An arrhythmia affects your heart’s ability to pump blood and can sometimes increase your risk of problems like heart failure and stroke.
Electrophysiology is the study of your heart’s electrical patterns. At our EP Clinic, heart rhythm specialists (electrophysiologists) from The Heart Group of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health use the latest technology, including 3D heart-mapping systems, to perform EP studies. These studies help pinpoint where an arrhythmia originates in the heart. Our doctors use this information to customize a treatment plan that gets your heart beating in a stable rhythm.
Arrhythmia Care: Why Choose Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health?
As part of a large academic medical center, our team has the expertise to offer a wide breadth of EP services, but you get the advanced heart care you need closer to home.
You benefit from:
- Team of heart rhythm experts: You receive care from board-certified Electrophysiologists who have advanced training in EP studies and arrhythmia management. Many of our EP team members have been with our health system for decades. Their dedication and experience contribute to our supportive team approach to your care.
- Dedicated hybrid operating room (OR): In one of the only hybrid ORs in the Lancaster region, our electrophysiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons sometimes work side-by-side to perform procedures, and ensuring the safest approach and outcomes.
- Partners in your care: We take the time to understand your future plans and treatment goals, so we can tailor treatments to your unique needs. We involve you in the decision-making process to ensure our recommended treatment plan gets the results you desire.
- Access to the latest advancements: Our doctors are actively involved in research and clinical trials to improve arrhythmia treatments. We’re always current on the latest advancements that can help you get the best results. Our team’s participation in heart and vascular clinical trials and research means you may be able to try promising new treatments still in development.
Arrhythmia Treatments We Offer
We offer a range of procedures to treat all types of heart arrhythmias. These treatments include:
Cardioversion
Cardioversion uses medications (pharmacologic) or electrical impulses to restore a healthy heart rhythm.
Pacemakers
Our doctors were some of the first in the nation to perform left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) when placing pacemaker leads. A pacemaker sends electrical signals to keep your heart in proper rhythm. With LBBAP, we place pacemaker leads directly into the heart wall to work with the heart’s natural electrical signals. We also offer specialized devices for people experiencing arrhythmias and heart failure.
Leadless Pacemakers
We were one of the first in the country to offer Micra®, the world’s smallest leadless pacemaker, during its clinical trial phase. Our doctors implant this device directly into your heart chamber, where it sends electrical signals to heart muscle without the need for leads. We place this device through a blood vessel, so there’s no need to open your chest.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)
An ICD comes in several different forms, but they all can protect you from dangerous and life-threatening heart rhythm changes. Many ICDs also work with a type of pacemaker designed to optimize your heart’s pumping function. We offer traditional transvenous (implanted in the heart through a blood vessel) and fully subcutaneous (under the skin) ICDs, depending on the situation.
Heart Ablation
We were among the first in the U.S. to routinely use fluoroless (radiation-free) heart ablation procedures to treat arrhythmias. Instead of X-rays, our electrophysiologists use advanced 3D heart mapping and imaging technology to treat the heart tissue where an arrhythmia originates.
Maze Procedure
Our cardiothoracic surgeons can perform a type of heart ablation—usually at the same time or as part of another surgery (like a valve repair or replacement)—called the Maze procedure. This procedure can disrupt irregular electrical signals that cause an arrhythmia.
WATCHMAN™ Device
Our electrophysiologists implant the WATCHMAN device to lower the risk of blood clots and strokes in people who have A-Fib. Most people who get this device can stop taking blood-thinning medications.
Contact Us
Our EP Clinic is located on the second floor of Lancaster General Hospital. To learn more our EP services, call 717-544-8300.
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