Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/701910
3 2 | PULSE S u m m e r 2 0 1 6 The EP team: Sang Yong Ji, MD; Gene C. Kim, MD; Matthew P. Ostrom, MD; Erol Kosar, MD THE EP: THE BEAT GOES ON Arrhythmias are abnormalities of the electrical conduction of the heart that can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow or with irregularity. Drugs are oen the first treatment option, but may not always be enough to solve rhythm disorders. Torrance Memorial's Heart Rhythm program specializes in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of arrhythmia, and the program is unique in that there are four advanced electrophysiologists (EPs)— cardiologists who specialize in the electrical conduction of the heart—on staff who collaborate and work together to keep the two electrophysiolog y labs running seamlessly, says Erol Kosar, MD, one of the electrophysiologists in the Heart Rhythm program. Dr. Kosar notes that in the last five years there "has been a real surge in the technology advancements and the organization of our lab and staff." He credits this to the medical center's administration, which recognized the demand for an arrhythmia center to deal with the unmet needs of the local community and growing incidences of arrhythmias. One of the people who benefited from this experience and technology was Michelle Moreno, whose diagnosis of arrhythmia came somewhat as a relief. e 47-year-old Torrance resident had suffered from what she thought were panic attacks since she was 17. She had them on and off throughout her life, and had mostly learned to live with their unpredictable onsets and mysterious disappearances. But more recently, the lightheadedness, rapid heart rate, and chest tightness began seriously affecting her life. She remembers almost passing out in the parking lot while walking to her classroom, where she taught third grade. "I started using a cane because I would get so lightheaded. I told the kids I hurt my leg and would have to pretend I was injured," Moreno remembers. It was hard to describe to colleagues and students what was happening , because she wasn't sure herself. "The lightheadedness would come on instantaneously and out of nowhere," says Moreno. Then came the rapid and erratic heart beat. "It felt like my heart was slamming through my chest, that if I looked down I would actually be able to see it." Her breathing would become labored and her chest would tighten. Dizziness and a constant slamming in her chest would continue. As her attacks became more frequent, Moreno eventually stopped teaching and went on disability. Because her electrocardiograms (EKG) and echocardiograms always showed that she had a healthy heart, Moreno continued to be told they were panic attacks. "I tried a lot of medications and sometimes had bad side effects from them." ey didn't stop the attacks, however.