Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Synphaet Ramintra Hospital

Comprehensive care, accurate diagnosis, and targeted treatment by a team of cardiac electrophysiology specialists.

Many people have experienced palpitations, rapid heartbeat, slow heartbeat, easy fatigue, or dizziness, thinking it was just stress or lack of sleep. In reality, these symptoms can be warning signs of Cardiac Arrhythmia, caused by abnormalities in the heart’s electrical system. If left undiagnosed and untreated, it can increase the risk of heart failure, stroke, fainting, or sudden cardiac arrest.

The Cardiac Arrhythmia Center at Synphaet Ramintra Hospital is fully equipped to provide comprehensive care—ranging from risk assessments and advanced diagnostic technologies to medical therapy, catheter ablation, pacemaker implantation, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) insertion. Led by cardiologists, cardiac electrophysiology specialists, specialized nurses, and a multidisciplinary team, we ensure patients receive precise, safe treatments, allowing them to return to their daily lives with confidence.

Arrhythmias and Heart Rhythm Conditions We Manage

We provide screening, diagnosis, and treatment for all forms of cardiac arrhythmias, categorized by symptoms and causes.

Types of Cardiac Arrhythmia:

• Tachycardia (Heart beating faster than normal):

  Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Atrial Flutter, Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW), Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

• Bradycardia (Heart beating slower than normal):

  Sick Sinus Syndrome, Complete Heart Block, AV Block

Causes and Related Heart Conditions:

• Congenital or Structural Heart Defects:

  Congenital heart muscle defects, leaky heart valves, abnormally thick heart walls, and coronary artery disease.

• Systemic Conditions Affecting the Heart:

  Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hyperthyroidism (toxic goiter), and blood electrolyte imbalances.

• Palpitations Stimulated by Certain Substances:

  Medications, caffeine (in tea, coffee, sodas), stress, and anxiety.

Diagnostic Tools and Methods for Cardiac Electrophysiology

To capture intermittent heart abnormalities accurately, our center provides the following diagnostic services:

• History Taking and Basic Laboratory Tests:

  Evaluating risk behaviors (consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol, smoking) and screening for coexisting conditions.

• Electrocardiogram (EKG / ECG):

  Recording the heart’s electrical activity while symptoms are present.

• 24- or 48-Hour Holter Monitoring:

  For patients whose symptoms are frequent but not constant, capturing abnormal heart rhythms during daily activities.

• Exercise Stress Test (EST):

  Evaluating heart and electrical system responses during treadmill exercise.

• Echocardiogram:

  Evaluating heart structure, contractility, and valves.

• Cardiac Electrophysiology Study (EP Study):

  In-depth evaluation to locate electrical short circuits inside the heart.

• Cardiac CT Scan and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR):

  To identify causes and lesions of the heart muscle in depth.

Technology and Approaches for Arrhythmia Treatment

The Cardiac Arrhythmia Center provides all treatment approaches, ranging from lifestyle modifications to advanced medical device implantations:

• Medical Therapy and Lifestyle Modification:

  Utilizing medications to control heart rate or rhythm to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms, prescribing blood thinners, encouraging regular exercise, avoiding triggers, and eating a healthy diet.

• Cardioversion:

  If the heart beats too fast, doctors use electrical currents from an external device via chest patches to reset the heart’s rhythm.

• Catheter Ablation:

  A potentially curative option where a catheter is threaded to the short-circuit site, releasing high-frequency radio waves in small spots to destroy the problematic heart tissue.

• Permanent Subcutaneous Device Implantation:

  • Pacemaker (Pacemaker): Implanting a tiny device under the collarbone to send electrical impulses when the heart beats too slowly.
  • Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): Implanted for patients at risk of life-threatening ventricular fibrillation; the device automatically delivers an electrical shock when a severe arrhythmia occurs.

Why Choose the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center at Synphaet Ramintra Hospital?

• Managed by Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialists:

  Confident in diagnostic accuracy with a team of highly experienced specialists in EKG reading and complex arrhythmia management.

• Complete Diagnostic Tools and Specialized Cath Lab:

  Equipped with comprehensive tracking technologies, from 24-48 hour Holter monitoring to Electrophysiological (EP) studies.

• Cure-Oriented Treatment Paths:

  Offering diverse treatment options, particularly radiofrequency catheter ablation, which helps patients avoid lifelong medication.

• Joint Care by a Multidisciplinary Team under International Standards:

  Comprising cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, specialized nurses, and cardiac rehab specialists, with a dedicated Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) ready 24/7.

Q&A Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of palpitations require immediate medical attention?

A: If palpitations are accompanied by dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, shortness of breath, fainting, or chest pain, or if the palpitations start suddenly without cause and are fast enough to make you feel exhausted, you should see a doctor immediately.

Q: Does radiofrequency catheter ablation hurt, and is it dangerous?

A: It is not as scary as you might think. Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure. The doctor makes a tiny puncture in the groin to insert a wire-sized catheter into the heart. The patient does not feel pain during the procedure due to sedatives. There is no large surgical wound, and the success rate for a complete cure is very high.

Q: Can someone with an implanted pacemaker lead a normal daily life or drive a car?

A: Yes, they can perform daily tasks, work, and drive normally. The main precautions are avoiding areas with very strong electromagnetic fields and preventing direct impact to the implantation site. The doctor will provide a pacemaker ID booklet and detailed guidelines after the surgery.