Electrophysiology

Certain heart problems such as arrhythmia and syncope (fainting) can be caused by problems with the heart’s electrical system or “wiring.”  The electrophysiologists and other specialists at The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's provide a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services delivered in an environment focused on the unique needs of children and their families. 

The electrophysiology (EP) services continually offer positive outcomes. They range from the rapid turnover of EKG readings within the hospital, the community and surrounding areas, to sophisticated intracardiac EP studies and ablations in adults with congenital heart disease. Device implantation (pacemakers, ICDs) provided by our team, can give our children and young adults with congenital heart disease greater freedom and quality of life.

Electrophysiology Expertise

• The radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardias

• Intracardiac electrophysiology evaluation of adult patients with congenital heart disease

• Device implantation in pediatric and adult congenital heart disease patients

• Inpatient and post-operative management of complex pediatric

• Adult congenital heart arrhythmias

Various treatment options are available to correct irregular heart rhythms and syncope. Some rhythm disorders can be managed by medications while others may warrant a more permanent treatment such as ablation procedures, pacemakers or cryoablations.

Our EP physicians and nurses participate in important clinical studies such as the SAMIS Trial, a multicenter study of assessing antiarrhythmic medications for the treatment of infants with supraventricular tachycardia.

Click here to download our recent article, Syncope in Young Athletes.

2009 Electrophysiology Procedural Volumes

• Electrophysiology studies (intracardiac and transesophageal): 48

• Interventional electrophysiology cases:  68

• Device implantation:

  • Pacemakers  37 (14 new / 23 replacement)
  • ICD  22 (19 new / 3 replacement)
  • Total device patients followed:  277

• Cardioversions:  20

• Tilt table tests:  21

• Electrocardiograms:  15,000

• Holter monitors:  1,050

• Exercise stress tests:  450

• Transtelephonic monitors:  450