Electrical Cardioversion
Electrical cardioversion is a procedure designed to restore normal heart rhythm, usually in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, rhythms in which irregular heart beating originates in the small chambers (the atria) of the heart. Cardioversion is performed on a fasting patient who has received intravenous sedation anesthesia, and involves placing pads on the chest/back and applying a shock in order to restore normal heart rhythm. The patient will require a ride home and should not work that day, as he/she will have received sedation anesthesia.
Preparation for Cardioversion
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the procedure, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the procedure
- It is okay to take sips of water prior to the procedure
- You will require a ride home following the procedure, and should remain at home for the rest of the day
Transesophageal Echocardiogram
A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is a more precise test than a regular echocardiogram, and is utilized when additional clarity of heart structural information is required. The test is performed on a fasting patient who has received intravenous sedation anesthesia, and involves placing a thin tube down the patient’s throat (much like an upper endoscopy), with the tube having a small ultrasound at its end. The test takes approximately 30 minutes, and the patient will require a ride home, and should not work that day, as he/she will have received sedation anesthesia.
Preparation for Transesophageal Echocardiogram
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the test, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the test
- You will require a ride home following the procedure, and should remain at home for the rest of the day
For more extensive information about Transesophageal Echocardiography, click here.
Cardiac Catheterization
Information Provided by Cardiac Catheterization
A cardiac catheterization is usually performed due to symptoms of chest discomfort or following abnormal heart testing. A cardiac catheterization test is a definitive test assessing for coronary artery disease, or blockages, within one or more of the 3 major heart blood vessels, or arteries, and their branches. Treatment for coronary artery disease can consist of medication, coronary artery stenting, or bypass surgery.
What to Expect During Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization, typically accompanied by coronary angiography, is performed in patients with known or suspected blockages within one or more of the 3 heart blood vessels, or arteries. The test is performed in the fasting state using local anesthesia, usually through a small incision above the wrist or leg artery, and x-ray dye is injected through a thin tube, a catheter, allowing the cardiologist to visualize each of the heart arteries, looking for blockage. The test typically takes 20 minutes to perform, and is followed by several hours of bed rest. The results of the test are available at the conclusion of the test. We ask that patients arrange for a ride home, and take the rest of the day off.
Preparation for Cardiac Catheterization
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the test, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the test
- It is okay to take sips of water prior to the test
- You will require a ride home following the procedure, and should remain at home for the rest of the day
For more extensive information about Cardiac Catheterization, click here and here.
Coronary Stenting and Angioplasty
Coronary artery stenting and angioplasty are typically performed following a cardiac catheterization procedure, when heart blood vessel blockages are found and felt to have the potential to cause heart symptoms or damage if left alone. Typically, the blockage is opened by placing a balloon across it, the balloon is deflated and removed, and a stent, made up of a thin wire mesh, is placed across the area of blockage to keep it open. The procedure usually takes 45 – 60 minutes to perform, and is followed by several hours of bed rest.
Preparation for Stenting and Angioplasty
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the procedure, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the procedure
- It is okay to take sips of water prior to the procedure
- You will require a ride home following the procedure, and should remain at home for the rest of the day
For more extensive information about Coronary Stenting and Angioplasty, click here.
Reversing Heart Disease
Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR)
Your rehabilitation will begin soon after you are discharged so you can return to living the life you are accustomed to, but with the added knowledge, confidence and strength attained by participating in this life-changing program. Your participation in cardiac rehabilitation is important. According to the American Heart Association, cardiac rehabilitation can reduce cardiovascular mortality by over 50% compared to those who don’t participate.
St. Luke’s Hospital offers our patients both Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) and Traditional Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR). The patient will be referred to the appropriate program by their physician depending upon their individual needs and capabilities. Both programs, however, concentrate on strengthening both your heart and your spirit through lessons focused on three areas of concentration: eating heart-healthy meals, proper exercise and modified behaviors that lead to longer and healthier lives.
Patients will have access to monitored exercise sessions and education. The security of being monitored will help reduce your anxiety about exercise and physical activity at home. Spouses and family members are encouraged to attend group education classes.
For more information about Cardiac Rehabilitation, click here.
Pacemaker Placement
Our board certified electrophysiologists can often insert a pacemaker in an outpatient setting, allowing the patient to avoid an overnight hospitalization. The typical one hour procedure is followed by several hours of bedrest, and is usually performed with local anesthesia and mild sedation. A pacemaker is placed in order to treat slow heart rates.
Preparation for Pacemaker Placement
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the test, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the test
- It is okay to take sips of water prior to the test
- You will require a ride home following the procedure, and should remain at home for the rest of the day.
For more extensive information about Pacemaker Placement, click here.
Implantable Loop Recorder Placement
Our board certified electrophysiologists insert an implantable loop recorder in an outpatient setting. The typical 5 minute procedure is performed with local anesthesia, and involves placing a small metal device just underneath the skin of the upper chest. The device records a patient’s heart rhythm continuously, allowing his/her cardiologist to monitor for slow or fast heart rhythms. If a slow heart rhythm is detected, a pacemaker may be recommended. If a fast heart rhythm is detected, medication or an ablation procedure may be recommended.
Preparation for Implantable Loop Recorder Placement
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the test, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the test
- It is okay to take sips of water prior to the test
Defibrillator Placement
Our board certified electrophysiologists can often insert a defibrillator in an outpatient setting, allowing the patient to avoid an overnight hospitalization. The typical one hour procedure is followed by several hours of bedrest, and is usually performed with local anesthesia and mild sedation. A defibrillator is placed in order to treat potentially life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities.
Preparation for Defibrillator Placement
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to defibrillator placement, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the procedure
- It is okay to take sips of water prior to the procedure
- You will require a ride home following the procedure, and should remain at home for the rest of the day
For more extensive information about Defibrillator Placement, click here.
Electrophysiology Testing (EP Study)
An electrophysiology study is a catheter-based procedure where thin tubes are placed in the leg blood vessels and advanced to the heart electrical system, so that precise measurements of electrical activity can be made and allow the doctor to determine the best way to treat heart rhythm abnormalities.
Preparation for Electrophysiology Testing (EP Study)
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the test, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the test
- It is okay to take sips of water prior to the test
For more extensive information about Electrophysiology Testing, click here.
Ablation Procedures
Ablation procedures are catheter-based procedures where thin tubes are placed in the leg blood vessels and advanced to the areas in the chest where heart rhythm abnormalities originate. Following this, and after the patient has been put to sleep with anesthesia, tiny burns are made in the electrical system in order to prevent the abnormal heart rhythms from recurring. The procedure typically takes 1 – 4 hours.
Preparation for Ablation Procedures
- Take your usual medications at the usual time prior to the ablation, unless told to do otherwise
- Do not eat for 6 hours prior to the procedure
For more extensive information regarding Ablation Procedures, click here.
Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device (WATCHMAN™)
The WATCHMAN™ left atrial appendage closure device is used to decrease stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation without having to use blood thinners. The device is implanted in a hospital setting, followed by overnight observation. For more information on the WATCHMAN™ device, watch the video below.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery
CABG surgery is performed on patients with extensive atherosclerosis, or blockages, in one or more of the 3 main heart blood vessels (arteries) or their branches. During surgery a bypass graft is created by connecting one end of a vein or artery to an area above the blockage, and the other end is connected to an area below the blockage, thus restoring good blood flow to the blocked heart artery. CABG surgery can be performed at the same time as Heart Valve Surgery.
For more extensive information about Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery, click here.
Heart Valve Surgery
Heart valve surgery involves either repairing or replacing one or more of the 4 heart valves. A damaged heart valve can sometimes be repaired by loosening parts of the stiffened valve leaflets or by tightening parts of the loose valve leaflets. When a heart valve is damaged beyond repair, heart valve replacement surgery can occur, at which time a mechanical (metal) or biologic (tissue) valve is placed in the heart, replacing the damaged valve. Heart valve surgery can be performed at the same time as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery.
For more extensive information about Heart Valve Surgery, click here.