Cardiac arrhythmia care
An irregular heartbeat may be benign, or it could signal a serious health concern. Trust Penn Medicine’s cardiac specialists to find the root cause and formulate a treatment plan to restore your proper rhythm.
Advanced arrhythmia care and surgery
You may march to the beat of a different drum, but your heart shouldn’t. If your heart is pounding, fluttering, racing, skipping a beat, or beating too slowly in your chest, this may be a sign of cardiac arrhythmia. If you experience these and other symptoms, like dizziness, fainting, or chest pain, it’s important to visit a specialist to have your heart’s electrical system evaluated.
The cardiac arrhythmia team at Penn Medicine specializes in finding the right treatment for you. Our renowned specialists are especially skilled in treating difficult or persistent arrhythmias that are resistant to medication. We understand that living with an irregular heartbeat can be uncomfortable and make it hard to enjoy the things you love. Our primary mission is to minimize the risk of heart disease and help you live a more comfortable life.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials offer patients the opportunity to try new and effective treatments and take part in future research.
Second opinions
If you've received a diagnosis, our team of experts offers second opinions to grant you peace of mind.
Arrhythmia-related conditions we treat
- Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
- Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)
- Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Pioneers in heart rhythm disorders
We’re proud of our excellent success rate and ability to treat patients with complex needs. Patients from all over the world come to Penn Medicine for cardiac arrythmia treatment. We’re also home to one of the most active arrhythmia research centers in the world. Our electrophysiology team members frequently speak at international symposiums and have authored hundreds of manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. They developed many of the contemporary ablation techniques that have been adopted throughout the world.
Penn Medicine’s contributions to cardiac arrythmia care include:
- First to use catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
- First to use intracardiac echocardiography for mapping and ablation of a variety of rhythm disorders
- Among the first in the U.S. to use the WATCHMANTM device to lower the risk of stroke and improve outcomes and quality of life. We now use the device in many of our patients with AF, in combination with ablation when needed.
- Among the first in the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions to implant the MicraTM transcatheter leadless pacing system, the world’s smallest pacemaker.
We continue to stay at the forefront of cardiac arrythmia treatment by leading and participating in clinical trials.
Cardiac arrhythmia treatment options
The treatment that is best for you depends on the arrhythmia and how serious it is. In fact, some arrhythmias don’t require any treatment, just watchful waiting. Other options include medications, lifestyle changes, catheter ablations, implantable devices, and surgery.
Patients with complex cases are often referred to Penn Medicine, and we routinely provide care for patients who were told arrhythmia surgery wasn’t an option. We offer complete surgical and nonsurgical care, including minimally invasive arrhythmia procedures, such as catheter ablation for heart rhythm disorders, implantable devices for arrhythmia management, and more. Penn cardiac surgeons have deep experience performing the leading surgical approach for AF—the Maze procedure—without a large incision. Some procedures may be done in combination with surgeries like mitral valve repair or replacement or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
Our doctors
Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.
Locations
Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.