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Getting Rhythm Back: D R . A C H A R YA J U S T complet ed a two-year fellowship in clinical cardiac electrophysiolog y with the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, which is known for its pioneering research in atrial fibrillation. He joined Heartland Cardiolog y in mid-July, practicing primarily at the group's main Wichita location at 3535 N. Webb Road. He'll also see patients at the group's west Wichita and Derby clinics. Heartland Cardiology also has a clinic in Newton, and its physicians travel to outreach locations in Anthony, Augusta, El Dorado, Herington, Hugoton, Hutchinson, Kingman, McPherson, Minneola, Marion, Moundridge and Winfield. As pa r t of his fellowship progra m, Dr. Acha r ya did clinica l rotations at both the University of Utah and the Salt Lake City Veterans Administration hos- pital and was involved in didactic and research activities. Dr. Acharya gained experience in complex ablation and all aspects of arrhythmia care, including the management and technically chal- lenging extractions of cardiac rhythm implantable devices. Dr. Acharya also completed a three-year cardiovascular diseases fellowship at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport after fin- ishing his internal medicine residency there. He earned his medical degree at the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangalore, India. He is board certified as a cardiologist, in echocardiog- raphy and in internal medicine. He was drawn to the cardiology subspe- cialty of electrophysiology because it has a significant impact on patient outcomes and he found it intellectually stimulating, given the complexity in the pathologies involved, he says. "Many hea lth conditions across the spectrum of modern medica l practice ca n't be cu red , a nd t hey a re rat her managed to the best of current medical advancement," Dr. Acharya says. "With cardiolog y and cardiac electrophysiol- og y, there are many interventions that can potentially offer a cure and impact or improve a patient 's qua lit y of life almost immediately." Dr. Acharya provides treatment for some very challenging conditions of the heart, such as radiofrequency ablations for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, left atrial appendage occlusion and the removal of implanted cardiac devices. Device extractions can be necessary if there's an infection, a ma lfunction or need for additional leads, for example. Up to 20% of defibrillators result in a lead malfunction in 10 years. A pacemaker's battery wears down in about eight years. During t he ex traction, t he patient 's heart is at risk of being damaged, so the procedure requires skill and expertise like Dr. Acharya's. Another demanding heart procedure requiring experience and specific skills is ablation of complex left atrial arrhythmias. T h e a d d i t i o n o f D r. A c h a r y a t o Heartland Cardiolog y's staff is particu- larly important because of the growing need for electrophysiology services in the Wichita area, clinic administration says. The occurrence of arrhythmia increases as a person ages, and untreated patients are at serious risk for cardiac arrest and stroke. Scarring because of past cardiac events or abnorma l tissue deposits can also interfere with the heart's electrical system. In the past, particularly complex EP cases from the Wichita a rea were referred to Cleveland Clinic and other out-of-state facilities, Dr. Acharya notes. With 15 cardiologists and new, larger faci lities, Hea r tla nd Ca rdiolog y ha s been increasing its services and patient volume. In the pa st t wo yea rs, it ha s opened three new clinics, including its main Webb clinic that features a cardiac PET ( positron emission tomography) scanner. For more infor mation , visit hear t l a n d c a rd i o l o g y .c o m . Fo r re fe r ra l s , call 316-686-5300. n Heartland Cardiology Adds Electrophysiologist BY AMY GEISZLER-JONES WITH THE ADDITION OF MADAN ACHARYA, MD, TO ITS STAFF, WICHITA-BA SED HE ARTL AND CARDIOLOGY IS E XPANDING ITS ABILIT Y TO TRE AT PATIENTS WITH ARRHY THMIA S AND OTHER DIFFICULT HE ART CONDITIONS. M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S G R E AT E R K A N S A S ■ 2 019 1 3