Vim & Vigor - Summer 2017 - Community Healthcare - 56

ASK THE EXPERT
Samer
Ajam, MD

OFF BEAT

Cardiac electrophysiologist Samer Ajam, MD,
discusses abnormal electrical activity in the heart

What is cardiac
electrophysiology?
Cardiac electrophysiology is a
branch of cardiology that deals with
the science of diagnosing and treating
abnormal electrical activity in the heart,
or arrhythmias. Patients with arrhythmias may experience fatigue, episodes of
fainting, palpitations or, most severely,
cardiac arrest. There also is a correlation between sleep apnea and a common type of arrhythmia known as atrial
fibrillation (AFib). My job as an electrophysiologist is to figure out where the
arrhythmia is located and how to fix
the condition.

SUMM ER 2 0 1 7

What advice do you
offer patients?
Treating arrhythmias earlier is
always better-the longer you wait, the
greater the damage to the heart. ■
Dr. Ajam completed his fellowship
training in clinical cardiac electrophysiology and cardiovascular disease at
Indiana University. He received his
medical degree and completed his
residency at the Indiana University
School of Medicine.

CALL

Treating
Arrhythmias
To make an appointment with
cardiac electrophysiologist Dr.
Samer Ajam, call 219-947-6017.
His office is located inside
St. Mary Medical Center, Hobart,
Suite 110.

PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK

What are the latest
developments in technology
for treating arrhythmias?
Traditionally, cardiac devices, such as
a pacemaker, were most often used to
correct the irregular beats caused by
heart rhythm disorders. Now arrhythmias are being treated through a

procedure known as catheter ablation,
which works to rid patients of irregular heart rhythms using radiofrequency
energy. Ablation has high success rates
in curing abnormally fast heart rhythm
and managing AFib long term.
We also have new cardiac monitoring
devices for patients who have suspected
rhythm issues that are not detected
through traditional monitoring or for
patients who have had an unexplained
stroke. An implantable loop recorder
inserted just under the skin can monitor
a patient's heart rhythm for up to three
years, communicating readings wirelessly to our office.
Additionally, patients with defibrillators now have an option for a device
that goes underneath the skin instead
of inside the heart. This lowers the risk
of infection affecting the heart because
there is no risk of the leads fracturing as
the heart beats. It is a good option for
younger people who need a defibrillator
without a pacemaker.

What are some of the
upcoming developments
in this field?
Injectable pacemakers were just approved
by the FDA this past year. These will
be an option soon at the hospitals
of Community Healthcare System for
patients who need a pacemaker and do
not need wire leads in their heart. The
device is much smaller than a traditional
pacemaker, has a 12-year battery and is
placed through a catheter procedure.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2017 - Community Healthcare