ARRHYTHMIA
ARRHYTHMIA
The Electrophysiology ( EP ) Section at UAB Medicine is the largest and most experienced program of its kind in Alabama . UAB ’ s electrophysiologists are leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation / flutter , premature ventricular contractions ( PVC ), ventricular tachycardia , Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome , and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia . These internationally acclaimed physicians work within a multidisciplinary group of scientists and with other UAB departments , such as Biomedical Engineering , to provide extensive diagnostic and therapeutic care to patients with complex arrhythmias . Approximately 2,400 rhythmrelated procedures are performed in the four EP suites in the UAB Heart and Vascular Center each year , with welldocumented success .
HIGHLIGHTS
• History of innovation with scientific and clinical contributions to the field of catheter ablation
• Current mapping technology allows for limiting the use of contrast and fluoroscopy with atrial fibrillation ablation , making procedures safer for patients .
• Advanced mapping technology allows for successful ablation of complex tachycardia .
• First in Alabama to implant the leadless pacemaker
• Early experience with subcutaneous ICD implantation
• Major referral center for pacemaker and ICD lead extraction , with approximately 80 procedures performed annually . All procedures are performed with the CV Surgery team on standby , in case surgical intervention is required .
• Watchman device procedures are performed to close the left atrial appendage , to help reduce the incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation .
ELECTROPHYSICIOLOGY PROCEDURES , 2018 – 2020 ( N = 7672 )
14 UAB Cardiovascular Institute Annual Report