Advanced Care for AFib

Catholic Health is a leader in diagnosing and treating atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common type of heart arrhythmia. Our board-certified cardiologists are nationally-recognized experts in the latest and most advanced treatments, including minimally invasive surgeries like the mini-maze procedure. Their clinical excellence and compassionate care help patients improve their quality of life.

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® (Roslyn, NY) is nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the nation for Heart & Vascular.

    Our Program

    Our extensive electrophysiology experience allows us to accurately diagnose, recommend and perform the best treatment for your condition. We provide substantial follow-up, as well as education and screening services, to help improve your health beyond medical treatment.

    We treat all types of arrhythmia related to: 

    • Tachycardia. Your heart rate is faster than normal. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of tachycardia.
    • Bradycardia. Your heart rate is slower than normal.

    Atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common heart arrhythmia, produces an irregular and often fast heartbeat that causes poor blood flow. It can happen in brief episodes or be a permanent condition.

    Because AFib weakens the heart and increases the chance for stroke or congestive heart failure, it's important to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist if you experience one or more of the following symptoms.

    • Chest pain
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering or pounding)
    • Irregular heartbeat
    • Lightheadedness
    • Shortness of breath

    An EP study provides information to help diagnose and locate the source of an arrhythmia. An electrophysiologist guides thin catheters to the heart through small incisions. The catheters deliver and record electrical signals in certain locations of the heart muscle. Using information from the EP study, cardiologists can determine the location of the irregularity and recommend the best course of treatment.

    St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® is among the nation’s leaders in the number of EP studies performed. The hospital's high safety rates make this procedure as safe as many noninvasive tests.

    This catheter-based procedure restores normal heart function. It does not require stitches or significant incisions.

    This procedure is typically performed in an electrophysiology lab with an electrophysiology (EP) study. Small catheters directed to the heart deliver radiofrequency energy to burn and eliminate the tissue where the arrhythmia originates. We use 3D mapping system technology to treat complex conditions with more precision and accuracy.

    St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® has the shortest procedure times of any arrhythmia center in the nation, which means less exposure to X-rays. This type of expertise contributes to the hospital's high safety and success rates.

    Pacemakers and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators can help manage cardiac rhythm. These devices are placed under the skin and are especially helpful to those at high risk for sudden death.

    St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® is a leader in implementing these devices with a high level of safety and low risk for complications.

    This minimally invasive procedure uses radiofrequency energy to create lines of ablation along the exterior of the heart. The result is scar tissue that interrupts the faulty electrical pathway that causes the irregular rhythm.

    This procedure may be an option if you have a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and are already undergoing cardiac surgery, if you haven’t responded to drug therapy, or if you are at high-risk for blood clots.

    St. Francis Heart Centers

    The award-winning services of St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® continue to expand to St. Francis Heart Centers across Long Island. In addition to the services below, you can also receive electrophysiology services at St. Francis Heart Center at Mercy Hospital (Rockville Centre, NY) and St. Francis Heart Center at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital (Smithtown, NY).

    The Arrhythmia & Pacemaker Center at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® has been at the forefront of treating arrhythmia—developing and performing electrophysiology procedures for over 30 years. The center is consistently among the first to use new techniques, including:

    • Heat to ablate heart tissue to treat arrhythmias
    • Implantable defibrillators to treat certain arrhythmias and to prevent initial sudden death
    • Radiofrequency ablation to treat certain arrhythmias
    • The Watchman device—a small catheter-based device placed in the left atrial appendage (area in the heart where most blood clots form) in an effort to lower the risk of stroke

      Two dedicated electrophysiology labs are staffed by board certified physicians, nurses and technicians who perform all types of invasive procedures, including:

      • Pacemaker and defibrillator implants
      • Complex left sided ablations

      Find a Doctor

      Catholic Health electrophysiologists provide care across Long Island.

      • Joseph Levine, MD
      • Joshua Stern, MD
      • Vinod Jayam, MD
      • William Shin, MD
      • Gregory Siroky, MD
      • David Hock, MD
      • Armen Ovsepian, MD
      • Justin Shaber, MD
      • Eric Uyguanco, MD
      • Alex Vidal, MD
      • Ching Wei Russell Chen, MD
      • Michael Weber, MD
      • Leigh Ann Hutchinson, MD
      • Anastasios Manaris, MD
      • Todd Cohen, MD
      • Bassiema Ibrahim, M.D.
      • Abram Mozes, MD
      • Armen Ovsepian, MD
      • Michael Weber, MD
      • Leigh Hutchinson, MD
      • Alex Vidal, MD
      • Trevor Verga, MD

      Electrophysiology Locations

      St. Francis Hospital exterior

      St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center®

      Roslyn, NY Hospital Heart Center

      Location

      St. Francis Heart Center at Good Samaritan University Hospital

      West Islip, NY Heart Center

      Location

      St. Francis Heart Center at Mercy Hospital

      Rockville Centre, NY Heart Center

      Location

      St. Francis Heart Center at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital

      Smithtown, NY Heart Center