Arrhythmia Laboratory – part of our Heart, Lung and Allergy services

For general information about our services, please visit the main page for Heart, Lung and Allergy.

Learn more about Heart, Lung and Allergy

About our clinic

The treatments and procedures we perform include:

• Catheter-based diagnostics and ablation using either cryotherapy (cold) or heat. In some cases, a 3D mapping system is used.
• Pacemaker implantation.
• ICD implantation (implantable cardioverter defibrillator), also known as an implanted cardiac defibrillator.
• CRT implantation (cardiac resynchronisation therapy device), also known as a heart failure pacemaker.
• Battery replacement for pacemakers, ICDs and CRT devices.
• Lead extraction and device explantation, meaning removal of the device and its leads.
• Event recorder monitoring, which records your heart rhythm (ECG) over a period of time while you are at home.
• Implantation of a Reveal device, an electronic ECG memory recorder implanted under the skin.

What to expect when you visit us

You will attend a pre-admission appointment the day before your procedure, during which you will receive information about the treatment. Blood samples and an ECG will also be taken. Some procedures require a CT scan and an ultrasound examination; these are carried out either before you come to us or in connection with your pre-admission visit.

Before your procedure, you will need to shower using an antibacterial soap. You must also fast from midnight onwards. If you are not staying overnight on the ward, you should return to us at 7 on the day of your procedure.

During the procedure, a registered nurse will remain by your side and monitor you. We will clean the treatment area and cover you with sterile drapes. A doctor will then administer local anaesthesia and the procedure will begin.

Once the procedure is completed, we will place a dressing over the area and you will return to the ward for continued monitoring. When you can go home depends on the type of procedure you have undergone.

Important information

Pacemaker, ICD and CRT follow-up checks are performed either by pacemaker technicians or by physicians during scheduled appointments at our clinic. An appointment letter will be sent to your home before your visit.

For questions about your scheduled appointment, please call: 018 611 44 21.
For medical advice, please call: 018 611 40 90.

If your ICD was implanted by us and you receive one or more shocks from the device, please contact the pacemaker technicians on 018 611 27 37 during office hours. Outside office hours, please visit the Emergency Department.

An event recorder records episodes of your heart rhythm when you activate the recorder yourself. The recorder can be worn for up to 14 days and is attached to your chest using an adhesive electrode.

A 7-day Holter monitor records your heart rhythm continuously for seven days. You will be provided with a small recorder to wear together with five adhesive electrodes attached to your chest.