Doha: The Cardiac Electrophysiology Department at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Heart Hospital provides advanced care to patients with cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
In addition, the process ensures continuous commitment and consistent compliance with international standards in patient care and treatment outcomes, said Dr Nora Al Jefairi, Consultant, electrophysiologist and cardiologist at the Heart Hospital.
“Our Cardiology department offers a unique specialty called Electrophysiology. An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist who sees and treats patients with heart rhythm problems. This type of cardiologist has specialised training in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart rhythm problems,” said Dr Al Jefairi, who was the first native Qatari female cardiologist and electrophysiologist. She also a member of the Swiss Society of Cardiology (SSC) and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and conducted several research on Electrophysiology.
“We do Electrophysiology studies to test the electrical activity of the heart to find where an arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) is coming from. If a person is identified with any abnormality we provide immediate care either with medication or interventions. In critical cases interventions are carried within 24 hours,” she added.
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a test used to understand and map the electrical activity within the heart. An EP study may be recommended in people with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) and other heart problems to understand the exact cause and determine which treatment is most likely to be effective.
“An EP study involves placing diagnostic catheters within the heart and running specialized tests to map the electrical currents. EP studies are done in the hospital and carry a small risk of serious complications,” said Dr Al Jefairi. “With new technology, enhanced procedures and visiting international experts, there has been a marked increase in procedures carried out by the Cardiac Electrophysiology Department over the past years, leading to spectacular results,” she added.
According to her Electrophysiology division annually performs a considerable number of electrophysiology procedures and device implementations for heart rhythm disorders and heart failure.
“Electrophysiology problems in Qatar are common among people among the age between 30 and 50 years. But we also find the problem in some in a younger age due to their lifestyle, nationality and several other reasons,” said Dr Al Jefairi.
Commenting on the role of technology in supporting the department’s improved results, she said to facilitate the development of the service, the electrophysiology laboratory was upgraded to give patients the best possible experience.
