The Department of Electrophysiology of Aretaeio Hospital has been operating for four years in a formal collaboration with the German Heart Institute, Berlin, Germany.
The director of the Department, Dr. Charalambos Kriatselis has been the curator of the electrophysiology field at the German Heart Institute, Berlin for 6 years and has 10 years of experience in the field of diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Aretaeio Hospital has the most modern technological equipment and offers the possibility of carrying out the full range of diagnostic and surgical procedures in the field of electrophysiology.
Thus, for the first time in Cyprus, a surgical procedure for the treatment of atrial fibrillation was held by Dr. Kriatselis in December 2010.
Atrial fibrillation affects many patients and is characterized by an abnormally fast and mainly irregular heartbeat. The procedure for the treatment of this arrhythmia is difficult and requires not only particular experience on the part of the electrophysiologist but also specialized, modern technical equipment. Due to the fact that both these conditions are met at Aretaeio Hospital, treatment was completed with absolute success.
In addition, insertions of pacemakers and defibrillators (electronic devices that protect against sudden cardiac death) are performed, as well as insertions of biventricular pacing devices in the treatment of certain forms of cardiac insufficiency. Finally, on a regular basis at the outpatient clinics of the arrhythmia centre, Dr. Kriatselis treats patients from the whole spectrum of cardiac arrhythmias or with problems that directly or indirectly may be associated with cardiac arrhythmias, such as syncopal episodes or family history of sudden cardiac death.