Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist

Long Island Heart & Vascular

Cardiovascular Disease Specialists & Endovascular Specialists located in Westbury, South Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and the Bronx NY

Abnormal heartbeats can have very serious consequences, including sudden cardiac death. Karthik Gujja, MD, MPH, is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and endovascular surgeon with offices at Long Island Heart & Vascular in Westbury and Ridgewood, New York. He uses electrophysiology studies to determine the origin of the abnormal beat and then develops a strategy to treat the issue and protect your heart health. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gujja today by calling the office or booking your visit online.

Cardiac Electrophysiology Q & A

What does electrophysiology have to do with my heart?

Electrical impulses control the pace of your heartbeats and typically travel through the heart in a regular pattern. This creates a rhythmic beat that pumps blood efficiently. When your heart beats too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly, it’s a signal that there’s a problem with the electrical activity of the heart.

When the beat is off, your heart can’t pump effectively. Electrophysiology studies help Dr. Gujja identify where in your heart the electrical misstep is occurring so he can design the appropriate treatment strategy.

What might cause heart arrhythmia?

Numerous issues can cause arrhythmia, including:

A heart attack in progress
Scarring of heart tissue due to a previous heart attack
Changes in your heart's structure caused by issues such as cardiomyopathy
Blocked arteries in your heart due to coronary artery disease
Tissue damage due to untreated high blood pressure

Certain medical conditions and habits can also cause arrhythmia, such as:

Thyroid disorders
Overindulgence in alcohol or caffeine
Stress
Diabetes
Sleep apnea

What happens during a cardiac electrophysiology study?

Dr. Gujja will discuss the procedure in detail before scheduling the study. You’ll also be given pre- and post-procedure instructions and aftercare guidelines.

Generally, however, you can expect to be awake but sedated during the study so you feel relaxed. Dr. Gujja inserts a small, specialized catheter into the femoral artery in your groin, accessed through a very small puncture-type incision.

He then advances the catheter, with ultrasound guidance, to the heart. Radiofrequency energy is transmitted to targeted areas of the heart via the catheter tip. During a process called cardiac mapping, electrical signals are picked up by the catheter and recorded. This allows Dr. Gujja to determine where the abnormal beats are originating.

Depending on the study findings, Dr. Gujja may recommend treatment with medication, a pacemaker, or other therapies designed to control your heart rate and rhythm.

Don’t delay treatment for arrhythmias. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gujja today. Call the office or book your visit online.