Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology

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The Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology at our institute is an internationally recognized leader in the evaluation and treatment of heart rhythm disturbances, known as arrhythmias - a condition which affects millions of people each year. As one of the premiere services of its kind in the country devoted to the care of patients with irregular heart rhythms, heart palpitations and rapid heartbeats, the division of cardiac electrophysiology offers a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services for simple and complex arrhythmias

Facilities & Services

The electrophysiology programme in the department undertakes over 200 pacemaker implants and 250 electrophysiological studies supplemented by radiofrequency ablation each year. This laboratory provides catheter-guided electrophysiology testing and radiofrequency ablation to patients with various cardiac rhythm disorders like atrioventricular re-entry (AVRT), atrioventricular nodal re-entry (AVNRT), atrial tachycardia, atrial flutters, atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias. Our Electrophysiology division is provided with dedicated Cardiac electrophysiology laboratory with state-of-the art 240-channel intracardiac ECG monitoring system (BARD-Pro-EP system) and the 3D Electroanatomic mapping system (EnSite Velocity system).

3D electroanatomic mapping using EnSite or CARTO is a cutting edge technology that makes this centre the only one in the south India under public sector to have this as a regular adjuvant to the ablation of complex arrhythmias.

Electroanatomical mapping of rheumatic atrial flutter with electrogram showing termination of tachycardia on ablation

The division also performs device management of various bradyarrhythmias like sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular block. Various pacing modalities like single and dual chamber implants are being done regularly. The division regularly performs intracardiac cardioverter defibrillators for recurrent ventricular tachycardias not amenable to radiofrequency ablation and Biventricular pacing for congestive heart failure. The pacemaker and arrhythmia clinic is being run every tuesday to ensure meticulous programming of these devices to ensure optimal clinical utility and battery management.

Apart from these, the electrophysiology division maintains a non-invasive cardiac laboratory which has a 24-hour Holter System with advanced features. The division also performs Head-up- tilt-table test (HUTT), an essential test in the diagnostic evaluation of syncope. The additional diagnostic evaluations in the electrophysiology lab include assessment of sinus nodal and AV nodal functions, assessment of inducibilty of ventricular tachycardia, drug challenge (flecainide, adrenaline etc.) tests for channelopathies, autonomic function tests and implantation of loop recorders.

Projects/Consultancies

1. Development of an economically viable indigenous temporary pacemaker system
2. Rheumatic atrial fibrillation- epidemiology, rhythm vs. rate management, electrophysiological characteristics
3. Fusion of 3D electroanatomic mapping systems with cardiac MR acquired images.
4. Endocardial voltage assessment and delineation of electrical scarring in patients with endomyocardial fibrosis

Areas of Ongoing Research

1. Post-atriotomy atrial tachycardias- delineation of the electrophysiological characteristics of complex re-rentrant circuits
2. Post-infarction scar-related ventricular tachycardias - mapping and ablation
3. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias- differential diagnosis in EP laboratory
4. Mahaim fibre atriofascicular pathways - electrophysiological features
5. Channelopathies- recognition, family screening and optimal management
6. Heart failure - Assessment of intra- and interventricular dyssynchrony
7. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia- Magnetic resonance characteristics.

How to contact

Appointments for OPD visits can be taken through the medical records department of the institute (phone 91-471-2524415, mrd@sctimst.ac.in). For other queries regarding electrophysiological problems, the patients are directed to mail at .

Staff