Srijan Shrestha, MD, is a cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology, or the electrical system of the heart.
Dr. Shrestha treats people with a range of conditions, including arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). He implants devices such as pacemakers and performs procedures including ablation, which involves applying energy—hot or cold—through a thin catheter to destroy or scar small areas of heart tissue that are causing abnormal electrical signals, helping restore a normal heart rhythm.
“Helping people with arrhythmias offers immediate gratification. I love being able to help people, and this often offers complete eradication of their arrhythmias without having to use medication,” he says.
When he meets a patient, Dr. Shrestha says he makes a point to get to know them. “If they were a veteran, I ask where they served, for example. Without understanding someone’s background, it’s very difficult to know what’s important to them,” he says. “I also introduce myself, explain my own interests, and spend a lot of time drawing diagrams and making sure they understand everything about their condition.”
Electrophysiology is a novel field, he adds. “I want them to understand the procedures I might offer because it’s not just a medication. I want to show them where their arrhythmia is located and what happens when you don’t treat it,” he says.
The field is quickly growing and advancing, he adds.
“I’m fellowship trained, and sometimes people may think that once you are done with your fellowship, you’re done. But I think of it as my training started on day one when I became an attending physician,” Dr. Shrestha says. “There is so much changing all the time, and I constantly need to renew my knowledge of equipment and tools. Being able to adapt to the latest developments and offer arrhythmia management therapies in a safe and effective manner makes the cardiac electrophysiology field very enthralling and immensely gratifying.”
