For patients with heart disease who are at risk for getting dangerous heart rhythms or who have already demonstrated such rhythms, Duke offers comprehensive care to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) and, in some cases, improve quality of life.

The damage that happens during a heart attack can lead to electrical instability, putting patients at risk of SCD.

To prevent SCD, Duke offers the latest medical therapies as well as implantable devices that can detect and terminate abnormal rhythms.

For those who have already demonstrated dangerous heart rhythms, catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia is an option as a means to help control symptoms.

These therapies may be used alone or in combination, tailored to a patient's individual needs.

Implantable Devices

A wide range of implantable devices are offered, including:

• Single- and dual-chamber pacemakers
  
• Implantable cardiodefibrillators (ICDs)
  
• Implantable arrhythmia management systems
  

At Duke, patients receive more than 200 pacemakers and 500 implantable defibrillators each year.

In most cases, pacemakers and ICDs can be implanted non-surgically by inserting leads in the heart through a vein under the collarbone.

In addition, cardiothoracic surgeons are available to assist with open placement of pacemaker leads if necessary. 

Catheter Ablation

The latest catheter ablation techniques are also available, including:

• Electro-anatomic mapping and ablation of ventricular arrhythmias
  
• New catheter ablation technologies, including actively cooled ablation catheters and percutaneous cryo-ablation

Duke’s experienced physicians conduct cutting-edge research to develop new devices, and patients can often benefit by participating in clinical trials.

Screening for Patients with Rare Hereditary Disorders

Dr. Augustus Grant offers a weekly screening clinic for patients with a family history of sudden cardiac death, patients who have already experienced a near-fatal arrhythmia with no overt cause, or who have long QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome.

For more information about this specialized clinic, call 919-681-3776.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Al Khatib, Sana M.
  
  • Medicine / Cardiovascular Medicine
• Bahnson, Tristram D.
  
  • Medicine / Cardiovascular Medicine
• Grant, Augustus O.
  
  • Medicine / Cardiovascular Medicine
• Greenfield, Ruth A.
  
  • Medicine / Cardiovascular Medicine
• Hranitzky, Patrick M.
  
  • Medicine / Cardiovascular Medicine
• Lin, Shu S.
  
  • Surgery / Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
• Lowe, James E.
  
  • Surgery / Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
• Smith, Peter K.
  
  • Surgery / Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Health Center at Southpoint
  6301 Herndon Road, Durham, NC 27713
• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710