For over 25 years, The Sanger Clinic has provided dedicated device management to patients of all ages- adult and pediatric. We've established standards of care that provide focused, detailed and thorough device assessment and quality patient care. We are committed to furnishing the most technologically advanced care to our patients, and are sought after by leading device manufacturers for research endeavors and new technology assessments.

In 2005 Sanger performed nearly 18,000 device checks, and more than 1200 devices (pacemakers, ICDs, ILRs) were implanted. The Sanger Clinic is currently following more than 6000 patients. These patients have implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers, ICDs (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators) and CRT & CRT/D devices (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy devices and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with defibrillation devices). These devices treat bradyarrhythmias (slow heart rhythms), tachyarrhthmias (fast heart rhythms) and/or CHF (Congestive Heart Failure). We also follow ILRs (implantable loop recorders) which aid in diagnosing the etiology of syncope (fainting).

The field of cardiac rhythm management is dynamic and evolving. Emerging technologies and indications include treatment of atrial arrhythmias, treatment of congestive heart failure, follow up of devices remotely, and prophylactic use of ICDs. Every year more and more people in the U.S. are implanted with some sort of device, and that number is expected to continue to grow.

The Sanger Clinic has an active ICD support group (visit Support Groups for more information). The meeting in August 2006 featured nationally known speaker and author Wayne Sotile, PhD. Dr. Sotile shared practical coping strategies for overcoming the emotional obstacles that patients with cardiovascular disease face- Thriving With Heart Disease. For more information click here.

We are staffed by specially-trained registered nurses who have decades of cardiovascular nursing experience in addition to expertise in device management. The clinic supports extensive continuing education for all staff to keep abreast of the newest technological advances in the world of cardiac rhythm device management.

Nurses in this department belong to the Heart Rhythm Society, North Carolina Nurses Association and the Preventive Cardiology Nurses Association. Robin Smith, Amy Tucker and Cindy Reid have all passed the NASPExAM and hold the certification of NASPExAM/APTestamur

The Sanger Clinic Pacemaker nurses see patients in the Charlotte, Rock Hill, Monroe, Boone, Shelby, Rutherfordton, Ashe and South Charlotte offices.