Electrophysiology

At the Arrhythmia Unit of Ascires, our specialists have extensive experience in cardiac electrophysiology, applying the most advanced treatments for atrial fibrillation and ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. We offer treatments such as:

Catheter ablation: atrial fibrillation, flutter, ventricular arrhythmias, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Pacemaker implantation
Implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators
Conduction system pacing
Cardioneuroablation

Our approach is comprehensive: we treat the arrhythmia and its causes, improving the patient’s cardiovascular and overall health.

Medical team

Arrhythmia Unit

Specialist in cardiac electrophysiology and advanced treatment of arrhythmias, with extensive experience in atrial fibrillation, prevention of sudden cardiac death and physiological cardiac pacing. He combines his clinical practice with research and teaching activities in national and international scientific societies.

Óscar Cano Pérez

Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiology Specialist

Consultant cardiologist and electrophysiology specialist at Ascires, with extensive experience and specialised training in physiological pacing, ventricular tachycardia and the...

See medical team

Our commitment to patient care

Multidisciplinary and personalised care for patients with arrhythmias

We have our own electrophysiology laboratory equipped with all the necessary technology in order to provide the most comprehensive care for each patient.

State-of-the-art and safe technology for our cardiac patients

We have advanced navigation systems, electrophysiology recording systems and state-of-the-art implantable devices, allowing highly precise and safe diagnoses and treatments to be carried out.

Specialised atrial fibrillation programme

We treat atrial fibrillation using techniques such as catheter ablation and other options including substrate ablation or alcohol ablation, among others. The programme also includes a comprehensive approach to managing the risk factors of patients with AF.

Innovative treatments for ventricular arrhythmias

In addition to catheter ablation, we offer innovative treatments such as stellate ganglion pharmacological blockade and stereotactic radiotherapy.

Cardioneuroablation – advanced treatment for bradycardia

We treat neurally mediated syndrome in pharmacoresistant patients. We perform cardioneuroablation and the necessary diagnostic tests thanks to our exclusive electrophysiology laboratory.

Physiological cardiac pacing

Advanced techniques

In patients who require a pacemaker, we offer conduction system pacing: the most advanced technique to ensure the heartbeat resembles its natural rhythm as closely as possible, achieving a more coordinated and efficient contraction.

Our cardiologists specialised in electrophysiology have extensive experience in this field, with the aim of avoiding the long-term harmful effects associated with conventional non-physiological pacing.

Related services

Frequently asked questions about cardiac electrophysiology

What is a pacemaker and how does it work?
A pacemaker is a device that stimulates and controls the heart rhythm. A pacemaker is necessary when there is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart not to beat properly: a rhythm that is too slow, irregular heartbeats, prolonged pauses or heart failure.

The pacemaker is placed over the pectoral muscle, near the collarbone and under the skin. In other words, pacemaker implantation requires surgery.

It works thanks to a battery that emits electrical impulses or signals, which tell the heart when it should beat. There are three types of pacemakers:
- Single-chamber: with only one lead, it detects the heart’s signals and delivers the electrical signal to a single chamber of the heart.
- Dual-chamber: two leads detect the heart’s signals and deliver the electrical signal to two chambers of the heart. In this way, it coordinates the right atrium with the right ventricle.
- Cardiac resynchronisation device: it has three leads and also provides an electrical signal to the left ventricle, coordinating it with the right ventricle.
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that causes an irregular rhythm and, generally, tachycardia. In other words, atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia. The risks of atrial fibrillation include the formation of thrombi or blood clots in the heart, which can lead to a risk of stroke or heart failure, among other complications.

How can atrial fibrillation be detected? Not all people experience symptoms. However, for those who are symptomatic, the most common are:
- Tachycardia or palpitations: feeling that the heart is beating too fast and strongly
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue and/or weakness
- Light-headedness
- Shortness of breath
How is atrial fibrillation treated?
To treat atrial fibrillation, we must first diagnose the AF phenotype the patient has:
- Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: this is a type of occasional and generally sudden AF. Symptoms last for a short period of time (from minutes to a few hours) and usually disappear on their own.
- Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: the arrhythmia is constant and the heart rhythm does not return to normal on its own.
Once we know the phenotype, another important factor is whether the patient is symptomatic or asymptomatic.

Once we have this information, we can determine the best treatment for the patient, which usually begins with antiarrhythmic drugs.

If the patient is resistant to medication, the most appropriate treatment is catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. This treatment has a Class I indication and level A evidence for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation.

In cases where the patient does not tolerate medication or does not wish to take it continuously, catheter ablation may also be indicated as a first-line treatment, according to the European Clinical Practice Guidelines. Likewise, in asymptomatic patients with both phenotypes, catheter ablation may also be indicated in selected cases.

Beyond isolated treatment for atrial fibrillation, at Ascires we develop a comprehensive approach for the patient by treating and modifying the risk factors associated with the development of this arrhythmia:
- Heart failure
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Tobacco use
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption
- Sleep apnoea
For the proper management and treatment of all these risk factors, it is essential to include the patient in a Multidisciplinary Arrhythmia Unit, in which cardiologists, pulmonologists and endocrinologists, among others, work in a coordinated manner to provide the patient with a comprehensive treatment plan.
What types of arrhythmias are there?
There are two types of heart rhythm disorders:
- Bradycardias: bradycardia is a type of heart rhythm disorder identified by a low heart rate (below 60 beats per minute). When the heart rate is too slow, the heart does not pump enough oxygenated blood to the brain and the rest of the body. The main symptoms of bradycardia are dizziness, loss of consciousness, weakness, fatigue or a feeling of breathlessness.
- Tachycardias: in contrast, tachycardias are a type of heart rhythm disorder identified by high heart rates (above 100 beats per minute). There are different types of tachycardias, the most common being atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias. Symptoms that help identify tachycardia include rapid and forceful heartbeats, chest pain, fainting, light-headedness, rapid pulse, a feeling of breathlessness and dizziness.

Electrophysiology

Arrhythmia Unit

Óscar Cano Pérez

Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiology Specialist

Multidisciplinary and personalised care for patients with arrhythmias

State-of-the-art and safe technology for our cardiac patients

Specialised atrial fibrillation programme

Innovative treatments for ventricular arrhythmias

Cardioneuroablation – advanced treatment for bradycardia

Advanced techniques

Frequently asked questions about cardiac electrophysiology

What is a pacemaker and how does it work?

What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

How is atrial fibrillation treated?

What types of arrhythmias are there?

Política de privacidad