Cardiac Arrhythmia, or an abnormal heartbeat, is a serious but treatable condition that affects approximately 10 million Indians.
Causes and Symptoms: Common causes of cardiac rhythm abnormality include advanced age, hypertension, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Thyroid Disease, alcohol abuse, smoking, modern day life styles, genetic etc.
The most common presenting symptoms are palpitation [awareness of fast heart beating], giddiness, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness and sudden cardiac arrest.
Apollo hospital, Chennai is one of the few hospitals in India to run an exclusive cardiac arrhythmia program to evaluate and treat these patients with state-of-the-art technologies.
Among the various cardiac rhythm disturbances [variations in pulse rate or heart beating] some are life threatening and others are not.
Diagnosis: ECG, Holter monitor, External/internal Loop Recorders and Electrophysiology Study
What is an Electrophysiology [EP] study?
Electrophysiology study is a specialized procedure conducted by a trained cardiac specialist, the Electrophysiologist. EP studies are done to diagnose the cause and source of cardiac rhythm disorder.
Newer Technology in Pacemaker: 1. Conduction system pacing 2. Leadless pacemaker implantation.
What is Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation?
Most cardiac arrhythmias can be treated and cured with radiofrequency ablation, eliminating the need for lifelong medical therapy.

Dr Karthigesan AM
Senior Consultant Cardiologist and
Electrophysiologist Clinical Lead, Dept. of
Cardiac Pacing & Electrophysiology, Apollo Main Hospitals, Chennai