Maryland Heart Center
Arrhythmias
What are Arrhythmias? | Types
of Arrhythmias | Causes and Symptoms | Tests
and Evaluations | Arrhythmia Treatments
| Services | Pacemakers
& Defibrillators
Tests and Evaluations
For More Information
If you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about our services,
please call 410-328-6056 (patients) or 410-328-6056 or 1-800-318-1019 (physicians).
At the Maryland Heart Center, patients have access to the very latest diagnostic
technology. We offer multiple tests that reveal and differentiate the types
of arrhythmia, including:
- Electrophysiologic studies to evaluate the conduction system and
arrhythmia potential. To do the electrophysiology study, a cardiologist places
the small wires in the veins of the leg and threads them to the heart to record
how electricity moves around. Then the heart is paced in various ways in order
to identify the abnormal heart tissue electrically.
- Tilt table studies: A test performed while the patient is connected
to electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure monitors and strapped to a table
that tilts. This test is to determine if the patient is prone to sudden drops
in blood pressure or slow pulse rates.
- 24-hour cardiac and event recorder monitoring: A small, portable,
battery-powered ECG machine worn by a patient to record ECGs on tape over
a period of 24-48 hours, or a monitor that can be placed on the chest to record
the heart rhythm during symptoms. At the end of the time period, the monitor
is returned to the doctor's office so the tape can be read and evaluated.
- Implantable heart monitoring to identify arrhythmic causes in people
who pass out. The monitor sits under the skin and will record all tachycardias
and bradycardias. It can record for about 1-2 years.
- Echocardiogram: A test that uses sound waves to produce a study
of the motion of the heart's chambers and valves. It is used to evaluate the
heart structure and function.
- Coronary angiography: A procedure in which a contrast material that
can be seen using X-ray equipment is injected into one of the arteries of
the heart. This allows your health care provider to view the flow of blood
through your heart.
- Exercise stress tests (treadmill tests): A test that is given while
the patient walks on a treadmill to see if exercise brings on changes to the
ECG.
Various tests may be appropriate to confirm or rule out suspected causes of
the arrhythmia.
This page was last updated on: June 28, 2007.
Please call if you would like to make an
appointment or talk to someone about our services. Patients dial 1-800-492-5538
or 410-328-5842, physicians dial 410-328-6622 or 1-800-318-1019.
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