Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing Unit or Cardiology Unit 4 at CMC Vellore, India offers a wide range of services to prevent, diagnose and treat arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms. Our preventive services include a state of the art genetics unit that can screen and council patients for inherited channelopathies [Brugada Syndrome, Long QT Syndrome, and CPVT], hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The non-invasive tests include ECG, ECHO, Treadmill to provoke exercise related arrhythmias, Holter and Head Uptilt test. All these tests are performed using the most advanced equipment currently available. We are also supported by an excellent radiology department that helps with Cardiac CT scan studies to evaluate atrial anatomy prior to atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. The invasive tests include Flecainide Provocation test and Electrophysiology studies. The electrophysiology studies are done to evaluate brady [slow] and tachy [fast] arrhythmias and need for further therapy. Our centre is a pioneer for Transesophageal EP studies in Asia which are performed in those just born to 5 years of age. Our therapeutic services are broadly divided into those involving device implants and radiofrequency ablations. The device implants include pacemakers for slow heart rhythms, cardiac resynchronization devices in those with ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. We also implant ICDs [Implantable cardioverter defibrillators] in individuals with or at risk of life threatening heart rhythms. We also perform device explantations and lead removals percutaneously so as to avoid open heart surgery. Our radiofrequency ablation procedures are performed for patients with fast heart rhythms involving abnormal electric circuits.
