A Type I arrhythmia centre is an advanced cardiac hospital that performs all types of arrhythmia procedures including ICDs, pacemaker implants, electrophysiology studies, and ablations.

Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs when there is a change in the speed or pattern of electrical impulses within the heart. Arrhythmias can cause the heart to beat too slowly or too rapidly, thereby interfering with the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

Electrophysiology studies can be used for patients with arrhythmias to determine the part of the heart that is causing the abnormal heart rhythm and to help determine the best course of treatment. The test involves inserting electrode catheters into a vein and guiding them to the heart where they are used to evaluate the heart's electrical system. The electrodes can also be used to deliver small electrical impulses to the heart, which may trigger an arrhythmia, enabling a physician to evaluate the heart's conduction system under controlled conditions.

Ablations can be used to treat arrhythmias by interrupting the path of the electrical impulses that produce them. The procedure involves inserting an electrode catheter into a vein and guiding it to the diseased area in the heart. Radiofrequency energy or freezing temperature is applied to the abnormal area of heart tissue. This interrupts the path of the abnormal electrical impulses.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small device, similar to a pacemaker, that corrects abnormalities in the heart's rhythm. It is implanted under the skin and attached to one or more leads that are placed in or on the heart muscle. The ICD senses the rate and rhythm of the heart, and delivers electrical therapy-pacing pulses or defibrillation therapy as needed.

Number of Patient Cases Completed - This is the average number of patients who had an EPS or ablation each month over this three month period.

Number of Patients Waiting - This is the average number of patients at the end of each month (over a three-month period) who have been accepted for either an EPS or an ablation by an electrophysiologist, but have not had the procedure yet. Hospitals with more electrophysiologists may have more patients waiting, but this does not indicate whether these patients wait longer or shorter for their procedures.

Electrophysiologist - a cardiologist with a specialization in the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. Electrophysiologists are experts in the electrical function of the heart