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Electrophysiology Program

<p>Electrophysiology Program</p>

If your child has been diagnosed with or is suspected to have a heart arrhythmia, the pediatric electrophysiologists at Texas Children’s Heart Center can help. Our electrophysiologists are highly specialized cardiologists skilled in identifying and treating heart rhythm abnormalities in children. Heart rhythm abnormalities, also known as arrhythmias, occur when the heart's electrical impulses don't function correctly. Arrhythmias can be caused by anything from electrolyte imbalances and infections to congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathies. While not all arrhythmias are harmful, it’s important to identify those that could impact your child's health.

The Electrophysiology Program at Texas Children’s offers the full spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic options to evaluate and treat any heart rhythm abnormality. Our non-invasive services include Holter and event monitors, exercise treadmills, tilt table evaluations and genetic testing. We have one of the highest volume pediatric centers in the country for invasive electrophysiology studies and pacemaker/defibrillator implantations.


The nation's #1 heart center

Proud to be ranked the best children’s heart center
in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Unmatched expertise A leader in diagnosing complex arrhythmias

Texas Children’s is one of the highest-volume pediatric centers in the country for electrophysiology studies, pacemakers and defibrillator implantations. Our success rates for ablations far exceed the national average. It’s why we’re one of the leading programs in the world for the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias in children.

20,000 electrocardiograms (ECG) performed a year

4,000 Holter monitors interpreted a year

200 catheter-based studies conducted each year

Innovative treatment for arrhythmia

While medications are often used as a first line of defense to regulate heart rate and electrical conduction, your child might require an electrophysiology study. During an electrophysiology study, special catheters are placed in the heart to study its electrical signals and determine the arrhythmia's mechanism. Our skilled pediatric electrophysiologists perform more than 200 catheter-based studies each year.
In some cases, a child may need an implantable pacemaker or defibrillator. Pacemakers fix abnormally slow heart rates or improper electrical conduction between chambers. Defibrillators are crucial to prevent sudden death from life-threatening fast ventricular arrhythmias. Both devices continuously monitor and regulate the heart's rhythm. Texas Children’s cardiologists implant about 40 pacemakers and 25 defibrillators each year. Many newer pacemakers and defibrillators have wireless technology that makes monitoring your child’s heart rhythm even easier.
Your child’s care doesn’t end when they go home. Texas Children’s Electrophysiology Program provides outpatient evaluation and follow-up care for all types of arrhythmias, ensuring continuity of care for your child and support for your family.