Electrophysiology Specialist

What is electrophysiology?

Electrophysiology is a subspecialty of cardiology that focuses on the electrical signals that control the muscle tissues of your heart. This electrical activity regulates your heart rate and rhythm.

The highly skilled electrophysiologists at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates are leaders in their field. They use advanced techniques to diagnose the cause of abnormal heartbeats and determine the most appropriate treatment.

When would I need to see an electrophysiologist?

Your primary care physician may recommend you see an electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates if your heart rate is too fast or too slow. An irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, can be due to a variety of conditions, including:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Bradycardia
• Tachycardia
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Supraventricular tachycardia
• Ventricular fibrillation

Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates also treats patients who have had heart attacks and those with ongoing conditions like hypertension.

What tests does an electrophysiologist perform?

Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates performs a variety of tests to diagnose the cause of an arrhythmia, including:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac stress test
• Electrophysiology study

These tests help your cardiac electrophysiologist determine the type and location of your arrhythmia so they can recommend the best treatment.

What is an electrophysiology study?

An electrophysiology (EP) study is a procedure that evaluates your heart’s electrical system. Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates uses EP studies to pinpoint the area of your heart causing your arrhythmia symptoms. This allows them to create an effective treatment plan.

An EP study happens while you’re under sedation. Your Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates provider advances small tubes called catheters into different areas of your heart. The catheters deliver a small electrical current in an attempt to reproduce arrhythmia symptoms.

What treatments does an electrophysiologist perform?

After Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates accurately diagnoses your condition, they recommend the best approach to treatment. Depending on your specific needs, they may perform one of the following procedures:

• Cardioversion
• Pacemaker or defibrillator implantation
• Leadless pacemaker implantation
• Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Cardiac resynchronization
• Atrial fibrillation ablation
• WATCHMAN™ implantation

Your individualized treatment plan may also include medications and healthy lifestyle changes.

For leading care in cardiac electrophysiology, call Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates or book an appointment online today.