The cardiac electrophysiologists at Heart Rhythm Consultants offer outpatient and inpatient consultations at hospitals in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and in Bend, Oregon.  Patients are always evaluated in a timely manner.  Pre-evaluation information that is helpful, if available, includes a history & physical, recent ECGs, Holter/Event monitor strips, and echocardiogram report.  Our physicians are always available to discuss cases and answer questions over the telephone.

Procedures

Electrophysiology Studies - Heart catheterization is performed when indicated to evaluate the cardiac conduction system and for determining the mechanism of an arrhythmia.  If indicated, catheter ablation is perfomed at the same setting.

Catheter Ablation  - Catheter ablation is considered first line therapy for the majority of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias, atrial flutter, and for some ventricuclar arrhythmias.  Catheter ablation for both paroxysmal and permanent atrial fibrillation is becoming routine for patients who have failed pharmacologic therapy or for those who are unable to tolerate or refuse medical management.  Success rates for eliminating atrial fibrillation range from 70 - 80% with catheter ablation.

Implantable Defibrillators - ICDs are indicated for patients who have survived a cardiac arrest or ventricular tachycardia which is not hemodynamically tolerated.  Additionally, ICDs are now recommended for primary prevention of sudden death in patients with both ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathys who have left ventricular ejection fractions less than 36%.  Biventricular pacing is indicated for patients with low ejection fractions and symptomatic CHF on appropriate medical therapy with either left bundle branch block or echocardiographic evidence of cardiac dysynchrony.

Tilt table testing - Tilt table tests are considered and performed in appropriate patients with syncope where the history and physical exam do not provide a diagnosis.