Electrophysiology

The Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service cares for fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents with irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or symptoms suggesting irregular heart rhythms such as palpitations, fainting (syncope), and very fast or very slow heart rates.

For children who develop abnormal heart rhythms, our doctors use electrocardiograms (ECG), Holter monitors (24-hour ECG), transtelephonic monitors (transmits ECG data over the telephone), exercise tests, and electrophysiologic studies.

Some arrhythmias, previously treated with lifelong medications, can be cured with a specialized type of cardiac catheterization called radiofrequency catheter ablation, which uses radiofrequency waves to change the flow of electricity through the heart, curing the arrhythmia.

To treat newborn patients, our physicians use the smallest pacemakers in the world. These devices are not available in most centers.

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