Arrhythmia Surgery

There exist a variety of diseases involving the electrical conducting system of the heart.  These are commonly referred to as arrhythmias and can range from slow heart beats to very fast heart beats.  There can also be abnormalities in the regularity of the heart beat.  Most of these arrhythmias can be treated with medications, some require a procedure such as a catherterization, pacemaker or internal defibrillator.  Occasionally, arrhythmias are best treated surgically.  Traditional arrhythmia surgery is performed at PENN as are newer less invasive techniques particularly for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia.