Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology
The Electrophysiology (EP) Lab in the Providence Heart & Vascular Center in Providence Alaska Medical Center Hospital is one of the longest running and most highly experienced programs in Alaska for the evaluation and management of heart rhythm disturbances.
Our dedicated and highly trained EP team is committed to getting the heart rhythm - and the lives – of our patients back to normal through comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care. We perform a range of specialized services, including electrophysiology studies, pacemaker and defibrillator implantations, and ablation procedures.
- Arrhythmias
- Heart Rhythm Disorders
- Irregular Heartbeats
- Atrial Fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation is a rapid and disorganized heartbeat that may cause everything from heart failure to stroke
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Atrial Flutter
- Bradycardia
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome
- Syncope (Fainting)
- Heart Blocks
- Palpitations
- Cardiac Ablation - Cardiac ablation is a procedure that creates a scar on the area of your heart where your arrhythmia originates. Doctors use either heat or cold to cause the scarring. It’s usually delivered by a thin tube called a catheter that’s inserted through a blood vessel and threaded to your heart. The scarring interferes with your heart’s electrical signals, stopping the arrhythmia.
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) - This is a surgical procedure that includes placing a device in the left upper part of your chest (like a pacemaker) that is designed to synchronize your heart contractions so that your blood is pumped more effectively.
- Electrophysiology (EP) Studies - Electrophysiology testing looks at the electrical activity of your heart when you have an abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. The test involves threading a thin, plastic tube called a catheter through a blood vessel to your heart. A doctor will then send electrical impulses through the catheter to make your heartbeat at different speeds. The signals produced by your heart will help the doctor determine where your abnormal heart rhythm is coming from to determine which treatment is best.
- Cardioversion
- Pacemakers - A battery-powered cardiac pacemaker is surgically implanted under a patient’s skin to correct electrical abnormalities that result in a slow heart rate.
- Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (AICD) - Implantable defibrillators help correct dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to death. We use a surgical procedure to place the device under your collarbone.
- Micra AV Leadless Pacemaker - A leadless pacemaker is a small device that we place directly in your heart’s right ventricle. It may help certain people with slow heart rhythms. Learn more about Micra pacemakers.
- Loop Recorder
Recognition
U.S. News & World Report - High Performing Hospital in Heart Attack (2024-25)
U.S. News & World Report - High Performing Hospital in Heart Failure (2024-25)