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Patient Education

Cardiac Catheterization

Everything You Need To Know About Cardiac Catheterization And Coronary Intervention – A Patient’s Guide, by David Brill

Cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention (angioplasty) are two wonders of medical technology which have improved the lives of millions of patients. Author David Brill, MD, FACC, Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland and a practicing cardiologist, Cardiovascular Consultants, P.A.

View the Cardiac Catheterization Guide in PDF Format »
Author David Brill, MD, FACC
Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Washington Adventist Hospital
Takoma Park, Maryland

 

Electrophysiology

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Heart Failure

By James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is a treatment option that involves the use of a pacemaker-like device and is appropriate for a select group of heart failure patients with moderate to severe heart failure and abnormal uncoordinated activation of the main lower ventricular pumping chambers known as ventricular dysynchrony.  Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) restores a more normal coordinated pumping ability of the right and left ventricular chambers to increase the strength of the heart beat.

View more about Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in PDF format»

Cardioversion Therapy

By James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC & R.G. Brockman, M.D.
Cardioversion is commonly used to safely restore a natural heart rhythm among patients with a variety of rhythm disorders known by the medical staff as “cardiac arrhythmias.”

View more about Cardioversion Therapy in PDF format»

Electrophysiology Study

By James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC & Sung W. Lee, M.D., FACC
The Cardiac Electrophysiology Study (EPS), is a non-surgical test, often completed on an outpatient basis, that has emerged as the cornerstone of modern heart medicine to diagnose or treat many heart conditions that are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the heart, called “cardiac arrhythmia” by the medical team.

 View more about Electrophysiology Study in PDF format»

Head-up Tilt Table Testing

By James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC & RG Brockman, M.D.
The head-up tilt test is commonly suggested for patients with a history of unexplained blackouts, fainting or near-fainting spells, known as “syncope” by the medical staff. During the test, potential causes for syncope are investigated, and preventive therapy tested. Heart rate and blood pressure are measured after the patient is gently tilted to standing, using a special rotating bed, while gently restrained from falling.

View more about Head-up Tilt Table Testing in PDF format»

 

Pacemaker / Defibrillator Implantation

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Therapy

By James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC & RG Brockman, M.D.
While medicine therapy can be used to control these serious arrhythmias for some patients, many patients are not good candidates for such therapy often because of side-effects or resistant serious arrhythmia despite drug therapy.  In view of this, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) device therapy has emerged as successful therapy for an increasing number of patients.

View more about ICD Therapy in PDF format»

Implantable Defibrillator Therapy and Driving

James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC
Prior to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, health care providers [ ] had recommended restrictions on driving for patients with a history of  potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, and state and federal guidelines have reflected these recommendations.  Restrictions were based on the risk for recurrent arrhythmic events among patients while driving and the associated risks to personal and public safety.  While event rates during driving were perceived as quite low, driving restrictions were individualized in view of the variability of risk among patients.

View more about Implantable Defibrillator Therapy and Driving in PDF format» 

Permanent Pacemaker Implantation

James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC & RG Brockman, M.D.
Why is a pacemaker needed?  What to expect with permanent pacemaker implantation.

View Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in PDF format»

View Patient Instructions Before Permanent Pacemaker Implantation»

View Patient Instructions Following Pacemaker / Defibrillator Implantation in PDF format»

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

James L. Cockrell, M.D., FACC & RG Brockman, M.D.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation, developed over the past decade, has emerged as the first choice of therapy offering an effective cure for many patients with certain forms of potentially serious, abnormal rapid heart rhythms known by the medical staff as “tachycardia.”

View Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in PDF format»

Patient Guide for T-Wave Alternans (TWA) Testing

What is a  T-wave alternans (TWA) test?  The “TWA” test is a special type of electrocardiogram (ECG) test. It is safe, simple, does not hurt and takes only a few minutes to complete. The TWA test is used to help your doctor determine if there is an increased risk of potentially serious  abnormal heart rhythm disturbances in the future.

Patient Guide for T-Wave Alternans (TWA) Testing»

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