Electrophysiology

Natural Electrical Currents are Working in the Body

Your heart is a complicated machine, and to work properly it depends on getting the right electrical signals to stimulate activity. Electrophysiology is the study of how natural electrical currents are working in the body. We use electrophysiology to study the currents that control the beating of your heart. We can detect abnormal rhythms (heart arrhythmias) and correct them, either by correcting your body’s natural electrical currents or by installing a device (such as a pacemaker) to supply more rhythmic currents.

At Colorado Springs Cardiology, we offer the latest proven technologies. We can detect, diagnose, and treat heart arrhythmias. We treat you as a whole person and an individual, with a dedicated care team that gets to know you. We also offer telemedicine visits for consultations.

Contact Us

Want to learn more about what sets Colorado Springs Cardiology apart? Please contact your primary care provider for a referral to an electrophysiologist or cardiologist for a consultation.

Electrophysiology Services

Electrophysiology includes diagnosing and treating heart arrhythmias. Colorado Springs Cardiology offers a full range of diagnostic electrophysiology and electrophysiology treatments.

Some of the electrophysiology procedures we offer include:

ECG/EKG
Electrophysiology Studies
Implantable Loop Recorder
Atrial Fibrillation/Atrial Flutter Treatment
Arrhythmia Ablation
Pacemaker/Defibrillator Implantation
External Heart Monitor

ECG/EKG

An electrocardiogram (called ECG or EKG—the same term using German spelling) is the most basic electrophysiology diagnostic procedure. To measure the electrical signals governing your heart, electrodes are placed on your skin. These electrodes don’t provide any current themselves – they passively measure the current produced by your body. Colorado Springs Cardiology offers 12-channel ECGs, which let us collect detailed information about the currents in and around your heart.

Electrophysiology Studies

An electrophysiology study is an attempt to get even more detailed information about how your heart behaves under certain conditions. This helps us not only detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), but determines their nature so we can determine the best treatment to control them. During an Electrophysiology Study, electrodes are inserted into your heart using catheters. The electrodes stimulate your heart to mimic situations such as strenuous exercise. This aids in detecting the source of irregular heartbeats. We may immediately perform arrhythmia ablation (see below) to treat arrhythmias that are manifested.

Implantable Loop Recorder

An implantable loop recorder is a heart measuring device that is surgically placed in your chest. It has a similar function to an ECG, but it continually records, providing 24-hour data for extended periods of time – up to three years!

Atrial Fibrillation & Atrial Flutter Treatment

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia, and occurs when the top chambers of the heart beat irregularly. It may affect as many as one in four Americans. If left uncontrolled, this condition can lead to inefficient blood flow, damage to the heart, stroke, and other complications. We might recommend medications, ablation, or other treatment options for atrial fibrillation. Atrial Flutter is similar to Atrial Fibrillation but is usually a regular rhythm.

Arrhythmia Ablation

For some arrhythmias, the best treatment approach is to burn (radiofrequency ablation) the source of the irregular currents. We do this with catheterized tools that are passed through your blood vessels to your heart. This typically is done at the same time as an electrophysiology study. Our team utilizes state-of-the art procedure labs with advanced mapping and ablation therapy.

Pacemaker or Defibrillator Implantation

Pacemakers prevent your heart from beating too slowly. A pacemaker provides steady electric impulses to maintain an adequate heart rate. The pacemaker is implanted in the chest with electrodes connecting it to your heart via your blood vessels, or it could be a wireless type implanted directly into the heart. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can generally perform the functions of a pacemaker, but additionally detects life-threatening fast arrhythmias and attempts to terminate them by delivering a controlled shock.

Why Choose Colorado Springs Cardiology for Electrophysiology?

Colorado Springs Cardiology deploys the latest proven technologies and techniques to ensure you get state-of-the-art care for your heart. We have more physicians per specialty than any other cardiology practice in Southern Colorado or Western Kansas. This helps you find a doctor that not only gives you confidence in their expertise, but one you feel comfortable working with.

Successful electrophysiology care depends on treating you as a whole person. In addition to your chosen specialist, you will have a dedicated care team. They don’t just get to know your condition, they get to know you. This ensures we treat you not just as a patient, but as a whole person.

During your consultations, we will explain everything to you in clear, precise language, making sure you understand your procedure in enough detail to make important decisions. We will give you an information packet so you can go back and refresh yourself on any information. You can always call us with questions.