An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart's electrical system that causes a change in the regular beat of the heart. Arrhythmias may occur at any age.

The staff of NYU's Heart Rhythm Center have special expertise in diagnosing and treating arrhythmias. The diagnosis is usually made using electrocardiography and/or an electrophysiology study. Some patients with atrial fibrillation have a test called transesophageal echocardiography, a test which we pioneered and which is offered in NYU's Noninvasive Cardiology Laboratory. This examination, which is done to look for blood clots, produces images of the heart of a quality higher than those obtained using conventional echocardiography.

Treatment of arrhythmias may be accomplished using medications, catheter ablation, or the implantation of a pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), depending on the type of arrhythmia. The Heart Rhythm Center also provides follow-up programs for patients with pacemakers and ICDs, and hosts periodic support meetings at our offices for patients and their families.

NYU Resources

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Heart Rhythm Center

Noninvasive Cardiology Laboratory

Transesophageal Echocardiography Patient Education Sheet

Other Resources on the Web

American Heart Association

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology