Who needs an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)?

An ICD is recommended for patients who have survived a cardiac arrest, have a high risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, or have a specific heart condition such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or dilated cardiomyopathy that significantly raises their risk of sudden cardiac death. Dr. Saxena is one of India's most experienced ICD implanting physicians and can advise on whether an ICD is appropriate for your situation.

What is the difference between a pacemaker and an ICD?

A pacemaker treats slow heart rhythms (bradycardia) by delivering electrical impulses to keep the heart beating at an adequate rate. An ICD treats fast, dangerous rhythms (ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation) by delivering a shock to restore a normal rhythm. Modern devices often combine both functions. CRT (cardiac resynchronisation therapy) devices are a specialised form of pacemaker used for heart failure with dyssynchrony.

Is catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation available at Fortis Escorts?

Yes. Dr. Saxena's team performs catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation using 3D mapping systems including CARTO and EnSite, which provide real-time 3D maps of the heart to guide the ablation catheter with precision. Success rates for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with ablation are high, and Dr. Saxena's experience at Fortis Escorts is among the largest in North India.

Verified Specialist

Dr. Anil Saxena

Executive Director – Cardiology (Cardiac Electrophysiology)

Electrophysiologist & Cardiologist

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi, India 35+ Years Experience

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About Dr. Anil Saxena

Dr. Anil Saxena is the Executive Director of the Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Department at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Okhla, New Delhi. He is an internationally acknowledged expert in the field of cardiac arrhythmias and electrophysiology — the branch of cardiology that deals with the electrical system of the heart.

Since joining Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in 1989, Dr. Saxena has been actively involved in building and leading the department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, which is now one of the largest and most experienced arrhythmia programmes in India. He is one of the pioneers in the implantation of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) and biventricular pacemakers in India, and has one of the largest personal experiences in these procedures in the country. These devices are life-saving for patients with dangerous heart rhythms and heart failure respectively, and were considered cutting-edge technology when Dr. Saxena first introduced them to the Indian setting.

For over 25 years, Dr. Saxena has been performing electrophysiological studies and catheter ablation for complex cardiac arrhythmias — including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and supraventricular tachycardias — with thousands of successful procedures to his credit.

His leadership extends beyond clinical practice. He has served as Past President of the Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS) and as Chairman of the Web and Arrhythmia Subcommittee of the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society. He is also Associate Editor of the PACE journal and Chief Editor of the APHRS Newsletter — roles that reflect his standing within the global arrhythmia community.

Conditions Treated by Dr. Anil Saxena

Atrial fibrillation (AF)
Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
Heart block requiring pacemaker
Sick sinus syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome
Sudden cardiac death risk (requiring ICD)
Heart failure with dyssynchrony (requiring CRT/CRT-D)
Inappropriate sinus tachycardia
Unexplained syncope (fainting)

Areas of Interest

Electrophysiological study and catheter ablation of complex arrhythmias
3D mapping of cardiac arrhythmias (CARTO and EnSite systems)
Implantation of permanent pacemakers
ICD implantation (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator)
Biventricular pacemaker implantation (CRT and CRT-D)
Lead extraction
Catheter RF ablation of complex arrhythmias
Coronary angiography

Qualifications

MBBS — All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
MD (Medicine) — All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
DNB (Cardiology) — National Board of Examinations, India

Work Experience

Executive Director – Cardiology (Cardiac Pacing & Electrophysiology), Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi (1989 – Present)
Past President, Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS)
Chairman, Web and Arrhythmia Subcommittee, Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS)

Certifications (3)

DNB (Cardiology)
National Board of Examinations, India
Associate Editor
PACE – Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology (Wiley-Blackwell)
Chief Editor
Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Newsletter

Memberships (5)

Past President, Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS)
Chairman, Web and Arrhythmia Subcommittee, Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS)
Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), USA
European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)
Cardiological Society of India (CSI)

Research Papers & Publications (3)

ICD implantation in India — a 20-year registry analysis from a high-volume centre

PACE – Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology — 2015

Catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation using CARTO 3D mapping — outcomes and predictors of recurrence

Indian Heart Journal — 2019

CRT-D implantation in heart failure with dyssynchrony — a prospective study of 300 patients in India

Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) – Asia — 2021

Procedures

Electrophysiological Study (EPS)Catheter RF Ablation – Atrial FibrillationCatheter RF Ablation – Ventricular TachycardiaCatheter RF Ablation – SVT / WPW Syndrome3D Mapping (CARTO and EnSite systems)Permanent Pacemaker Implantation (Single, Dual, Triple Chamber) ICD ImplantationBiventricular Pacemaker / CRT ImplantationCRT-D (Combo Device) ImplantationLead ExtractionCoronary Angiography

Frequently Asked Questions

An electrophysiology study (EPS) is a catheter-based procedure in which thin wires are passed into the heart through the groin to map its electrical system. It is used to identify the source of an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and is often combined with catheter ablation — using radiofrequency energy to destroy the abnormal tissue causing the arrhythmia. Dr. Saxena has performed thousands of these procedures at Fortis Escorts.