Providing Advanced Care & Treatment for Ventricular Arrhythmia Patients
The ventricular arrhythmia program at University of Utah Health offers advanced treatment approaches for patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Our electrophysiology team collaborates closely with our heart failure team, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists and adult congenital heart disease specialists to provide the best care possible.
Our center actively participates in ventricular arrhythmia research with the ultimate goal of better understanding these diseases. Our goal is to improve your care and quality of life. We see patients from Utah and the surrounding Mountain West region.
What Are Ventricular Arrhythmias?
The lower chambers of your heart are called ventricles. Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal rhythms that originate in the lower chambers of your heart. There are several types of arrhythmias:
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Premature ventricular contractions
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Ventricular tachycardia
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Ventricular fibrillation
Arrhythmias can occur even if you don’t have obvious structural heart problems. Ventricular arrhythmias are more common if you have heart disease from a medical condition:
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Genetic cardiomyopathies
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Ischemic heart disease
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Non-ischemic diseases
Conditions We Treat
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) occur in the lower chambers of your heart. PVCs cause your hear to beat too early. PVCs can cause several symptoms:
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Chest pain
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Lightheadedness
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Palpitations/Skipped beats
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Shortness of breath
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Exercise intolerance
Over time, PVCs can cause heart function dysfunction in some patients.
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
Ventricular tachycardia causes your heart to beat much faster than normal. VT is a fast run of premature ventricular beats in a row. VT can be life-threatening.
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
Ventricular fibrillation is a fast disorganized beating of the lower chambers of the heart that leads to sudden cardiac death.
Director of Ventricular Arrhythmia Program
1 Resulting Health Care Providers
Klitos Konstantinidis, MD
Our Arrhythmia Specialists
5 Resulting Health Care Providers
T. Jared Bunch, MD
Marc C. Engels, MD, PhD
H. Immo Lehmann, MD, PhD
José Roberto Martínez-Parachini, MD
Ravi Ranjan, MD, PhD
Schedule a Consultation
Call us at 801-585-7676 to schedule a consultation. You do not need a referral to schedule a visit with us, but your insurance may require one. Contact your insurance company before making an appointment.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your appointment takes place in an exam room. Your provider will talk to you about your medical history and symptoms. Your provider will also perform a physical exam. This includes checking your blood pressure and heartbeat.
Your provider may suggest an EKG. EKG stands for electrocardiogram. An EKG measures your heart rate and rhythm.
Ventricular Arrhythmia Treatment
Electrophysiologists treat ventricular arrhythmias. An electrophysiologist is a doctor who specializes in understanding your heart’s rhythm.
Medications
Medications treat ventricular arrhythmia. If medication is right for you, your provider will talk to you about which medication is right for your care.
Device Therapy
Your health care provider may suggest an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). ICDs are small devices that detect abnormal heart rhythms. When the device detects an irregular rhythm, it sends a small shock that returns your heart to a normal rhythm.
Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that applies energy to small areas of your heart. The application of energy creates tiny scars that block the faulty heart signals that cause ventricular arrhythmias. By blocking the faulty signals, your heart can resume a normal rhythm.
