One of the busiest programs in the area, the electrophysiology team at Rush provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options — from medications to ablation therapy — for patients with irregular heartbeats and congestive heart failure. They provide care for people with abnormally rapid heartbeats (atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation) as well as those with abnormally slow heartbeats (bradycardia).

Diagnostic services include:

• Complete electrophysiology testing of the electrical conduction system of the heart.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) tests of the heart's rhythm.
• Monitoring of heart rhythms by telephone or Holter monitor, a device attached to the patient's chest.
• Implantable monitors for recurrent syncope (fainting) or palpitations of the heart.
• Monitoring of implantable devices used to treat arrhythmias, such as pacemakers, defibrillators and biventricular pacemakers.

Treatment services include:

• Implantation of defibrillators, devices that bring the heart back into normal rhythm using electric shocks.
• Implantation of cardiac resynchronization devices, such as pacemakers, which improves the heart's function for those patients with congestive heart failure.
• Ablation of diseased heart tissue through a catheter to treat such arrhythmias as ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.
• Surgical ablation for some patients with atrial fibrillation.
• A new robotic system that allows physicians to treat complex arrhythmias with greater precision.

Information for referring physicians:

• Download the brochure at left (under "Related Topics") for life-saving information for with patients with heart failure and an ejection fraction of 35 percent or less.

The Electrophysiology, Arrhythmia & Pacemaker Program team at Rush includes board-certified electrophysiologists, certified technicians and nurses certified by the Heart Rhythm Society.