Cardiovascular Services
Arrhythmia - irregular or abnormal heartbeat
Beverly Hospital's Arrhythmia Service offers advanced care for
individuals diagnosed with an irregular or abnormal heartbeat, also
known as an arrhythmia, in a convenient and easily accessible
location. In collaboration with Lahey Hospital and Medical
Center's Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, the Service works as a
team with the patient, their family, and physician to help the
individual continue or return to normal daily activities as soon as
possible.
The primary goal of our Arrhythmia Service is to improve the
quality of life of patients with our state-of-the-art program. We
also strive to provide patients with timely, accurate diagnoses and
therapies to treat these arrhythmias.
The Arrhythmia Service's program begins with a comprehensive
evaluation of the individual's specific problem and medical
history. Our multidisciplinary team, including specially
trained, board-certified cardiologists and specialized clinicians,
will develop an arrhythmia treatment plan tailored to the patient,
in conjunction with the referring physician.
Heart Arrhythmias We Treat
The Arrhythmia Service specialists, utilizing advanced
technologies, have the ability to treat the following heart rhythm
disturbances, among others:
- Tachycardia - an abnormally fast heart rhythm
- Bradycardia - an abnormally slow heart rhythm
- Supraventricular arrhythmias - arrhythmias that begin above the
ventricles, such as in the upper chambers, or atria. "Supra" means
above; "ventricular" refers to the lower chambers of the heart
(ventricles). Examples include, but are not limited to Paroxysmal
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
(PAT), Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter.
- Ventricular Arrhythmias - arrhythmias beginning in the
ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart).
- Ejection Fraction < 35% - a weakened heart, termed "Heart
Failure" may be helped through this Service.
Diagnosis & Options For Treatment
Sophisticated and timely diagnostic and treatment technologies
are of paramount importance in assuring the most accurate
evaluation and management of common and uncommon heart
arrhythmias. The following diagnostics are available
onsite:
- Event Monitor
- Holter Monitor
- Electrophysiologic Study
- Trans-thoracic and Trans-esophageal Echocardiography
- Tilt-Table Testing
As indicated by the diagnostic evaluation, the following
treatments are available:
- Ablation
- Cardioversion
- Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICD)
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiac Pacemakers
Ongoing Care
The Arrhythmia Service also offers outpatient specialty
consultative services and ongoing monitoring, support, education
and guidance to ensure a swift recovery. The patient is also
taught the skills necessary to manage their personal heart health
through:
- Onsite Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) Monitoring and
Evaluation
- Onsite and Telephonic Pacemaker Monitoring and Evaluation
- Counseling and Education Services
We consider the patients' needs and lifestyle to insure a
personal arrhythmia management plan that is designed to help
maintain the best health possible.