The human body runs by some of the same basic systems as a home, including plumbing and electrical. Many people are surprised when they find out their heart’s rhythm is managed by electrical impulses. When a person’s heart gets out of rhythm, they are encouraged to see a cardiac electrophysiologist, a specialist who treats issues affecting the electrical activity of the heart.
The Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) staffs four skilled cardiac electrophysiologists with many years of experience addressing irregular heart rhythms. Often dubbed as the “electricians of the heart,” the experienced team of electrophysiologists at PMC utilize state-of-the-art technology to treat patients from Eastern Kentucky facing conditions affecting their heart’s rhythm.
PMC’s four electrophysiologists are Michael Antimisiaris, MD, Chase Reynolds, MD, Joseph Souza, MD, FACC, FHRS, and Rahul Dhawan, MD. This team of highly-trained, experienced physicians provides life-changing care for patients and has played a major role in the growth of the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC.
PMC electrophysiologists have multiple intervention options at their fingertips, many of which are used to treat atrial fibrillation (Afib), the most common type of irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. A few options for Afib treatment include cardioversions, defibrillators, ablations and pacemakers. Cardioversions are electrical pulses sent to jolt the heart back into regular rhythm. Ablations are tiny burns meant to create scars in the heart to stabilize electrical circuits. There are several ablation therapies used at Pikeville Medical Center.
Recently, PMC was recognized as one of the first hospitals in the country and one of only three hospitals in Kentucky to offer a Hybrid AF Therapy. This procedure is for qualifying patients with long-standing, persistent AFib, and is proving to be a game changer for qualifying patients.
Pacemakers, implantable devices that support the heart’s electrical system, are another form of treatment for AFib that has proved beneficial for many patients . PMC uses several pacemaker devices including the well-known Micra Leadless Pacemaker.
PMC remains in the top percentage of hospitals in the state for volume of advanced procedures including WATCHMAN, Hybrid Ablation, leadless pacemakers, Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) implementation, Cryoablation Therapy and much more.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (606)-430-2201 or visit www.pikevillehospital.org/services/heart-and-vascular-institute/electrophysiology/
