December 30, 2008, Gallipolis -  The year 2008 was an exciting time for the Holzer Cardiovascular Institute (HCI) as the facility continued expansion of the services it offers for residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Dr. Choudhary Rayani, MD, who specializes in cardiac electrophysiology at HCI, said institute physicians began performing the following procedures in ‘08: electrophysiology studies (EPS), implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and catheter ablation.

Dr. Rayani said being able to provide these procedures at HCI is significant because it means local cardiac patients no longer have to travel elsewhere to receive specialized treatment.

“We are bringing in services that were not available previously,” he said. “People had to go mostly to Columbus or Cleveland. Now we can do them here.”

Dr. Rayani performed the first two catheter ablations in HCI history on Dec. 18, 2008. The other procedures were implemented earlier in the year.

Catheter ablation is a procedure designed to eliminate an arrhythmia, a heart rhythm problem that can make the heart beat too fast. The problem is often caused by cells in the heart that fail to work properly. The catheter ablation uses an electrode catheter to locate and destroy the problem cells.

Electrophysiology studies are performed on patients who have been diagnosed with a heart rhythm problem or who have symptoms that might suggest there is a heart rhythm issue. Doctors use one or more electrode catheters to monitor and/or stimulate heart rhythms to determine the problem. EPS is generally the first step toward determining what course of treatment should follow next.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are small generators that are used to help regulate the heart’s rhythm. The ICD monitors heart activity and is designed to provide therapy when it detects any type of rhythm disorder. ICDs are implanted in the upper chest and are connected to the heart with small wires called leads.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy helps a weakened heart pump more blood with each beat to help more blood and oxygen get to the rest of the body. Increased blood and oxygen flow decreases heart-failure symptoms. Doctors place either a biventricular pacemaker or a biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator in the patient’s chest to help synchronize the right and left ventricles of the heart.

The Holzer Cardiovascular Institute was established in 2002 as a joint venture between Holzer Medical Center and Holzer Clinic. It is located on the HMC-Gallipolis campus at 100 Jackson Pike. For more information about HCI, log on to the website at www.holzer.org then click on the “Services & Locations” link, or call 740-446-5002.

Holzer Clinic… Medical Excellence, Local Caring.

###