Anderson Regional Medical Center has opened the area’s only electrophysiology (EP) lab to provide local treatment options for patients with heart rhythm disorders. Until now, patients who needed ablation therapy had to travel to cities such as Jackson or Birmingham for treatment.

     The new EP lab, located near the heart catheterization lab at Anderson-North, houses state-of-the-art equipment which will be used to perform studies that help doctors understand the nature of abnormal heart rhythms. The results of the EP study determine whether the patient needs a pacemaker, implantable defibrillator, ablation or surgery, all of which are now available at Anderson Regional Medical Center.

     The most common treatment for heart arrhythmia is ablation, which uses radiofrequency energy (similar to microwave heat) to destroy a small area of heart tissue that is causing the rapid or irregular heartbeats.  Catheter ablation will be performed in the EP lab by cardiologist Attila Roka, MD, Ph.D., the area’s only cardiac catheter ablation expert. Roka, a Yale and Harvard trained physician, was recruited from the Boston area by Internal Medicine Clinic of Meridian.

     “Meridian has needed an EP lab and associated physician for quite some time, and we are proud this has come to fruition at Anderson,” said John Anderson, president and CEO of Anderson Regional Medical Center.

     Anderson continued, “Dr. Roka’s expertise allows patients to receive treatment close to home in familiar surroundings rather than traveling 90 miles or more for care.  This is a great advantage for patients and their families.”

     For more information about electrophysiology and ablation, visit www.andersonregional.org. To make an appointment with Dr. Roka, call Internal Medicine Clinic at (601) 483-5322.