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What is the Cardiac Monitoring Center?
Within the Sanford Cardiac Rhythm
Center, the Cardiac Monitoring Center is
charged with monitoring patient cardiac
devices either in-office or remotely to
ensure that the devices are functioning
properly. The following are some of the
devices monitored by the center:
• Implantable cardiac defibrillators
(ICD): Sanford was the first in
the region to implement remote
monitoring of patient ICDs. The
remote monitoring can substitute
for routine office visits and deliver
continuous device status information.
• Pacemakers: Data from a pacemaker
can be checked regularly either
in-office or remotely for a more
convenient option.
Scott Pham, MD
Cardiac
Electrophysiology
Chris Stanton, MD
Cardiac
Electrophysiology
Sanford Heart Hospital
1301 W. 18th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5039
Call (877) 220-2929 for
more information.
• Holter monitor: A device that
records your heart rhythm for 24 to
48 hours, as you go about your daily
activities.
• Event monitor: A device that
monitors your heart rhythm with the
ability for you to record symptoms.
Sanford Cardiac
Rhythm Center
• Insertable loop recorder: A tiny
cardiac monitoring device that has the
ability to continuously monitor your
heart rhythm for up to three years.
A one-of-a-kind care for
heart rhythm disorders.
Built on expertise.
Dedicated to your health.
heart.sanfordhealth.org
013000-00158 Rev. 9/15
The Sanford Cardiac Rhythm Center offers
the region’s first and only comprehensive
team focused exclusively on the diagnosis
and treatment of complex heart rhythm
disorders. Our fellowship-trained heart
rhythm specialists have additional training
and board certification in clinical cardiac
electrophysiology, giving them the expertise
to diagnose and treat heart rhythm disorders.
Scott Pham, MD, and Christopher Stanton,
MD, evaluate each patient to determine the
most effective individualized course of care,
whether it involves medications, implantable
devices, or minimally invasive ablation
procedures. Our team has vast experience in
the implantation of pacemakers and cardiac
defibrillators as well as ablation procedures
to treat certain heart rhythm disorders such
as atrial fibrillation (AF or Afib), ventricular
tachycardia (VT), and supraventricular
tachycardia (SVT).
Conditions we treat
• Atrial arrhythmias
• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Bradycardia
• Tachycardia
• Heart block
• Heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
• Supraventricular tachycardia
• Syncope
• Long Q-T syndrome
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Ventricular tachycardia
Treatments we offer
Our team will create a personalized
treatment or monitoring plan based on your
condition and specific needs. In some cases,
regular checkups are the best course of
action, and no treatment is necessary. We
may also recommend lifestyle changes since
heart rhythm disorders can be affected
by smoking, alcohol, caffeine or stressful
activities. Medications can also be effective
in returning the heart to a normal rhythm.
For more severe conditions, our physicians
offer the following procedures:
• Radiofrequency ablation: A
procedure that uses heat energy to
treat abnormal electrical pathways
in the heart to decrease rapid,
uncoordinated heartbeats.
• Pacemaker implantation: A small
device is placed in the chest that sends
small electrical impulses to maintain a
normal heart rate.
• Cardiac defibrillator implantation:
A device is placed in the chest
to monitor and treat potentially
dangerous or life-threatening
arrhythmias.
How we diagnose and treat conditions
Our comprehensive program uses the latest
in technology and medical advancements,
providing you with superior patient care.
The tools and procedures available here
include:
• Electrophysiology study: Catheters
(thin, flexible tubes) are threaded
through a patient’s blood vessels to
the heart. This allows the physician to
observe the location of the arrhythmia
and the mechanics of the heart that
may be causing the irregular heartbeat.
• Electrocardiography (ECG):
A test that measures the electrical
activity of your heart through
electrodes attached to the skin
on your chest, arms, and legs.
• ECG stress testing: Monitors
heart rhythm during exercise.
• Echocardiography: Produces detailed
images of the heart using sound waves.
• Transesophageal echocardiography:
Provides a detailed image of the
heart’s size, structure, and motion
using a scope in the esophagus.
• Tilt table test: Heart rhythm and
blood pressure are continuously
monitored while the bed is
lifted in an upright position to
evaluate your body’s response.
• Lead extraction: Removal
of implanted pacemaker
or defibrillator wires.