Cardio-Rhythm SA

At Cardio Rhythm, we specialize in cardiology, a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart-related diseases. The heart conditions most commonly seen in our practice are

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve disease
‍•  Heart failure
‍•  Heart rhythm disorders (see cardiac electrophysiology)
‍• Sudden death
‍•  Diseases resulting from cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, etc.).

Certain genetic heart diseases.

Cardiac electrophysiology is a subspecialty of cardiology that deals with disorders of the heart's electrical conduction system (i.e., rhythm disorders, cardiac arrhythmias).

What types of arrhythmias can be diagnosed and treated?

• Atrial fibrillation is a rapid and irregular rhythm disorder that originates in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria).
• Atrial flutter is a rhythm disorder that spreads very quickly and in an organized manner in the upper chambers of the heart.
• Supraventricular tachycardia is a sudden, regular arrhythmia that originates in the upper chambers of the heart.
• Conduction block is characterized by a slow pulse. It occurs when one or more electrical impulses are not conducted properly from the upper chambers to the lower chambers of the heart.
• Ventricular tachycardia is a potentially dangerous type of arrhythmia that originates in the lower chambers of the heart.
• Sudden death is an unexpected loss of consciousness caused by cardiac failure and can lead to death.
• Long QT syndrome is an abnormality in the electrical conduction of the heart that can cause rapid and dangerous rhythm disturbances.
• Brugada syndrome is associated with a genetic abnormality that can increase the risk of rhythm disturbances.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome manifests as a sudden onset of rapid pulse and is caused by an accessory conduction pathway.
• Other arrhythmias may occur during pregnancy, when taking certain medications, or when suffering from a systemic disease.

How is arrhythmia diagnosed?

First, by conducting a detailed medical history and clinical examination. Several paramedical tests may then be performed:

• A blood test to measure the levels of certain electrolytes, hormones, and enzymes, among other things.
• An electrocardiogram, which is a recording of your heart's electrical activity.
• An echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to assess the function and structure of the heart.
• An exercise stress test, which assesses your heart function during exercise.
• A Holter monitor, which is a portable device that records your heart rhythm for 24 hours.
• The R test, also an arrhythmia recorder that can be worn for several days.
• An implantable R test, which is a small device inserted under the skin. It records rhythm disturbances for a period of 3 years.
• LogRythmia, which is a free smartphone app. It acts as a logbook and allows you to document the duration, quantity, and quality of symptoms potentially caused by arrhythmia.
• Certain smartwatches or other wearable devices that can record an ECG for 30 seconds.
• An electrophysiological study. This is an "invasive" test, where one or more catheters are inserted into a vein in your groin and then placed in the heart. It can reveal abnormalities in cardiac conduction.