AFib & Arrhythmia Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or suspect you have a problem with one, we're here to help you.

UC San Diego Health's renowned electrophysiology program is dedicated to diagnosing, preventing and treating all types of cardiac arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Under the leadership of Gregory Feld, MD, our board-certified electrophysiologists perform among the largest volumes of device implantations, heart ablations and laser lead extractions in the nation. We offer advanced remote monitoring for devices and are experts in using minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Why Choose Us for Arrhythmia Treatment?

• Our physicians have developed atrial fibrillation and flutter treatments used throughout the world.
• We perform large numbers of pacemaker and ICD implantation procedures, in most cases with minimally invasive techniques and no or limited hospital stay.
• Our three electrophysiology labs at La Jolla and Hillcrest — the most advanced in the region — focus on diagnosing and treating abnormal heartbeats.
• We perform more pacemaker and ICD lead extractions than any other medical center in the region.

Do You Have an Irregular Heartbeat?

Cardiac arrhythmias are disruptions in the rate or rhythm of the heart's electrical system, which controls how the heart contracts and pumps blood. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but others can be serious or life-threatening.

Conditions we diagnose and manage include:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Heart block
• Long QT syndrome
• Sick sinus syndrome
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• All other arrhythmias

Arrhythmia Treatment Options

Depending on the cause and severity, arrhythmias may be treated with medications, devices or surgery. We are experts in minimally invasive surgical techniques.

• Pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation and advanced remote monitoring
• Laser lead extraction
• Cardioversion
• Catheter ablation
• Left atrial appendage occlusion
• Epicardial catheter ablation
• Mini-Maze procedure (surgical ablation)
• Cardiac resynchronization

Arrhythmia Medications

Blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin) or the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (such as Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa, or Savaysa) are usually the first treatments used to minimize the risk for stroke.

Our physicians and pharmacists provide anticoagulation services to help your monitor and manage your treatment with warfarin or other anticoagulants.

Innovative Facilities

Electrophysiology Suites

Our electrophysiology (EP) laboratories at the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center in La Jolla and UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest diagnose and treat arrhythmias. Procedures that do not require surgery — including diagnostic electrophysiology studies, catheter ablations (both endocardial and epicardial catheter ablation), pacemaker and defibrillator implantation — are performed in these EP labs.

Hybrid Operating Room

Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center's operating room includes the latest imaging technology, cardiac electrophysiology mapping and ablation equipment, and all the equipment needed for open-heart surgery.

This allows two physicians — a cardiac electrophysiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon — to operate together when appropriate, enhancing patient safety during these procedures (such as during concomitant epicardial and endocardial ablation and laser lead extractions).