Pacemakers and Electrophysiology

At Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the domain of cardiac rhythm disorders encompasses the Arrhythmia Unit and the Electrophysiology Unit. These units offer a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, consultation, and treatment for various conditions, utilizing state-of-the-art and individualized equipment. The Electrophysiology Unit, led by the center's director and staffed with five specialized electrophysiology physicians, provides care to patients from all across the country.

The unit engages in a wide range of activities, which include:

1. Electro-physiological study (EPS): This test is conducted to diagnose abnormalities in the heart's conduction system, determine the necessity for pacing, or diagnose rapid arrhythmias.

2. Ablation treatment: This procedure involves selectively burning the electrical centers responsible for causing arrhythmias. It is commonly used for the treatment of rapid arrhythmias, including conditions such as supraventricular tachycardia, reentry in the ascending ventricular junctional region (AVNRT), and Wolff Parkinson White syndrome (WPW).

The unit provides a comprehensive range of services related to cardiac rhythm management, including:

1. Implantable pacemakers and defibrillators: This includes the placement of single or dual-chamber pacemakers, as well as implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Additionally, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), often used to treat heart failure, is available in the form of a two-chamber pacemaker.

Fainting, a temporary loss of consciousness caused by decreased blood flow to the brain, is a common occurrence in the general population, often leading individuals to seek emergency medical care. When investigating fainting episodes, it is crucial to consider the presence of rhythm disturbances that can cause loss of consciousness. Detecting these disturbances is vital for appropriate treatment and prevention of future events.

Previously, arrhythmia detection relied on repeated ECGs and 24-hour Holter monitoring. However, even with Holter monitoring, there is a relatively low chance of capturing arrhythmias, especially those that occur infrequently.

• Integrative medicine clinic that integrates with the activities of the cardiac rhythm disorders unit.
• Provides diagnosis and management of unique rhythm disorders, including pacing and ablation.

• Pharmacological tests for the diagnosis of rhythm disorders and inherited diseases. This includes, among others, the Ajmaline test (for Brugada syndrome), the Adenosine test (for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome), and the Epinephrine test for specific stress evaluations.
• Left atrial appendage closure (in collaboration with the structural heart diseases unit) - performed on patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk of stroke and are unable to receive anticoagulation therapy, involving the implantation of a left atrial appendage closure device.