Cardiac Electrophysiology

Electrophysiology is an area of cardiology focused on evaluating your heart’s electrical function. Electrophysiology services are provided by specially trained doctors called electrophysiologists.

The electrophysiologists at Baptist Health diagnose and treat irregular heartbeats and other heart rhythm problems, including:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
• Heart block requiring pacemaker implantation
• Sick sinus syndrome requiring pacemaker implantation
• Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
• Ventricular arrhythmias
• Chronic systolic heart failure requiring an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy requiring an ICD
• Long QT syndrome
• Brugada syndrome
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
• Inappropriate sinus tachycardia

Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute electrophysiologists perform electrophysiology studies (EP studies) to evaluate your heart’s natural electrical system.

For these studies, one of our specialists threads small, thin wire electrodes through your vein to your heart. Once the electrodes are in place, they send electrical signals to your heart to record the heart’s electrical activity, potentially leading them to the cause of your problem.

We can also diagnose your irregular heartbeat with these noninvasive tests:

• Event monitor: This wearable device, which you activate as needed, records your heart’s electrical activity during symptomatic periods. Your doctor may ask you to record heart activity on an event monitor for up to 30 days.
• Holter monitor: This wearable device continuously records your heart’s electrical activity for 24 to 48 hours.
• Mobile cardiac telemetry: This wearable device is similar to a Holter monitor, but it is prescribed for up to 30 days.
• Electrocardiogram: This quick test measures your heart’s electrical activity with sensors attached to sticky patches on your chest.

We also offer electrophysiology treatments, many of which take place during an EP study. These include:

• Catheter ablation of arrhythmias
• Pacemaker implantation
• ICD implantation
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy
• Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention
• External cardioversion
• Implantable loop recorder for surveillance of arrhythmias
• Electrophysiology studies for arrhythmia diagnosis
• Cardiac contractility modulation

At Baptist Health, we take a unique approach to AFib care. Our Atrial Fibrillation Clinic is the only specialized center in the area that takes a targeted approach to treating your fast, irregular heartbeat.

Our multidisciplinary team of AFib experts includes cardiologists, cardiac electrophysiologists, neurologists and sleep specialists. Working together, they evaluate and address your unique risk factors and underlying conditions. The team provides the comprehensive, compassionate care that leads to your individualized treatment plan.