- Monday - Friday 8:30-4:30pm [Closed for lunch Noon to 12:30-1:30pm]
- 1200 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 100, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Process
First, we clinically diagnose exactly what your symptoms are and how to intelligently move forward to eliminate the causes of your problems. Shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, or anxiety are often manifestations of arrhythmia.
Sometimes, a simple examination, including an electrocardiogram will be enough to suggest what to do next.
Medications
One way to treat arrhythmias is with specific medications called anti arrhythmic drugs.
These may include:
- Amiodarone (Cordarone)
- Norpace
- Rhythmol
- Tikosyn
- Flecainide (Tambocor)
- Procainamide (Procanbid)
- Sotalol (Betapace)
- Multaq
In addition, there are rate slowing medications including:
Beta-blockers such as Metoprolol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol and Nadolol which reduce the heart’s workload and heart rate.
Calcium channel blockers such as Diltiazem and Verapamil, which also can reduce the heart rate.
Because these drugs only control abnormal heart rhythms, not cure them, you may have to take them for life.
Side Effects
Yes, antiarrhythmics do have side effects. Notify us immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
These may include:
- Worsening arrhythmias
- Chest pain
- Swelling of the feet or legs
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Allergic reaction
- Fainting
- Blurred vision
- Abnormally fast heartbeat
When first taking antiarrhythmics, avoid operating heavy machinery (for example, driving) until you know how the medication will affect you. Ask your doctor for advice about what to avoid doing and when you can resume.
Cardiac Ablation
When first taking antiarrhythmics, avoid operating heavy machinery (for example, driving) until you know how the medication will affect you. Ask your doctor for advice about what to avoid doing and when you can resume.
Cardioversion
Electrical cardioversion is a procedure in which an electric current is used to reset the heart’s rhythm back to its regular pattern (normal sinus rhythm). The low-voltage electric current enters the body through metal paddles or patches applied to the chest wall.
Before cardioversion for atrial fibrillation, the patient is sedated by an anesthesiologist to ensure there is no pain. Depending on the duration of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation with blood thinners, the patient may require a TEE , which is an ultrasound probe inserted into the esophagus or food tube to look at the left upper chamber under ultrasound and make sure there is no clot present which may dislodge and cause a stroke.
After cardioversion, you will be monitored to make sure that you have a stable heart rhythm.
You will take an anticoagulant, for at least a few weeks after your cardioversion. This medicine lowers your risk of a stroke.
Additional medicines to help prevent the return of heart rhythm problems (antiarrhythmics) also may be given before and after the procedure.
As a non emergency procedure to stop atrial fibrillation that has not stopped on its own. For people who have just started having episodes of atrial fibrillation, treatment typically includes cardioversion.
As an emergency procedure if atrial fibrillation is causing your heart to pump dangerously fast or causing your blood pressure to drop dramatically.
Cardioversion usually restores normal rhythm in over 95% of cases. How long it will last and how long you will stay in sinus rhythm is unpredictable
Electrophysiology Study
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a minimally invasive procedure which is similar to a heart Cath or Angiogram. We use sedation by anesthesiologist and insert very fine electrical wires, through the veins in the thigh, into various positions within the heart. Electrical impulses are delivered and results are recorded enabling the electrophysiologist to diagnose exactly what the problem is, where it is, and then to destroy it with radio frequency, which is called ablation.
Why You May Need an EP Study?
- To determine the cause of an abnormal heart rhythm
- To locate the site of origin of an abnormal heart rhythm
- To decide the best treatment for an abnormal heart rhythm
There are a number of different causes of arrhythmia; and therefore a number of different treatments.
The most common include atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), atrial flutter, premature ventricular contraction (PVC), and ventricular tachycardia., among others.
Sometimes, we may determine that an EP study will need to be conducted to confirm which implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) device is best for your particular situation.
Depending on the outcome of your EP Study, we will suggest the correct therapy to resolve and often to cure your electrical situation.
We use the newest, safest technology available in medicine, to best serve our patients.
Services
Meet Our Amazing Doctors Team
Eric Berkowitz
Electrophysiologist
M.D., F.A.C.C., F.H.R.S
Melissa Trachtenberg
Physician Assistant
PA-C
Play Video
Alyson Walsh
Physician Assistant
PA-C
Play Video
Sadelyn De Los Santos
Physician Assistant
PA-C
Need a Doctor for Check-up?
Just Make an Appointment and You’re Done!
Schedule your next appointment with us
561 266-0190
Years of Experience
21
Awards
40
Doctors
10
Satisfied Clients
10128
Our
Gallery
