Implantable Loop Recorders

An Implantable Loop Recorder (also known as an ILR) is a small device, about the size of a USB stick, which constantly monitors your heartbeat. The ILR device is inserted underneath your skin, on the left side of your chest. When you’re experiencing symptoms, you can capture and record your heart rate simply by placing […]

Subcutaneous ICD

The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (SICD) provides an alternative option for patients who are recommended for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The SICD consists of an ICD generator and a defibrillation lead, similar to a traditional ICD. However, the defibrillation lead remains completely outside the chest cavity.

Electrophysiology / Ablation

Electrophysiology sounds over-complicated but is working with the heart-rhythm and is a branch of cardiology that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.  Heart rhythm problems can be non-acquired (congenital) problems or where the heart’s rhythm is affected by environmental factors, both cardiac and non-cardiac. For instance, hardening of the arteries and […]

Biventricular Pacemakers

Biventricular pacemaker is a special pacemaker, which is used to synchronize the contractions of the left ventricle with the right ventricle, to improve the blood flow in patients with severe and moderately severe symptoms of heart failure.  These symptoms include shortness of breath, dry cough, swelling of the ankles and legs, weight gain, increased urination, fatigue […]

Cardiac Defibrillators

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small electronic device installed inside the chest to prevent sudden death from cardiac arrest due to life threatening abnormally fast heart rhythms (tachycardias). The ICD is capable of monitoring the heart rhythm. When the heart is beating normally, the device remains inactive. If the heart develops a life-threatening […]

Cardiac Neurostimulators

Heart failure is a chronic progressive disease in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body.  The cardiovascular disease has been shown to be associated with an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system that controls cardiac activity. This imbalance, a reduction in parasympathetic activity and an increase […]

Permanent Pacemakers

What is a Permanent Pacemaker? The pacemaker is an electronic device that continuously monitors your heart rhythm and prevents it from beating too slowly. There are two parts of a pacemaker, the generator (battery and electronic microchip) and the electrodes. The battery is usually placed under the skin beneath the collarbone on one or other […]