Cardiovascular Diseases in Florida

Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacemaker/Defibrillator Services

The new electrophysiology lab is treating more than 50 patients a month. Learn more in the February 2005 Mayo Clinic Checkup newsletter.

Mayo Clinic in Florida is active in all aspects of evaluating and treating adults with heart rhythm problems (cardiac arrhythmias). Outpatients are seen in the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Davis Building on the Jacksonville campus. Inpatient electrophysiology studies and implantable devices are done at Mayo Clinic hospital.

Mayo physicians have had special training and are experienced in the invasive and noninvasive diagnosis of unexplained syncope (fainting), atrial and ventricular tachycardias, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and ventricular fibrillation. Physicians also have experience evaluating patients who are considered at high risk for heart rhythm disturbances or who have survived a heart attack.

Physicians are experienced at implantanting single and dual-chamber pacemakers and defibrillators as well as bi-ventricular devices for certain heart failure patients. Cardiologists evaluate patients to determine which pacemakers or defibrillators would best treat their symptoms or whether they might benefit from the services in Mayo's Heart Failure and Transplantation Program.

Pacemaker patients can receive ongoing follow-up care either in our offices, where they meet with pacemaker technicians or nurses, or by telephone. Specially designed transmitter units allow regularly scheduled surveillance of pacemaker function in the convenience of the patient's home or even away from home. Defibrillator patients are also assessed at regular intervals in the office.

Our staff provide patients with detailed information about their pacemakers, including device types and functions and what to expect, as well as activity restrictions and lifestyle modifications that might be required. Patients are given thorough instruction in follow-up procedures and when to contact nursing and physician staff with problems.

Staff

Director

Fred Kusumoto, M.D.

Physicians

Thomas R. Flipse, M.D.
Kalpathi L. Venkatachalam, M.D.

Nurses and Technicians

Jeanna M. Golob, registered nurse