Electrophysiology

The Electrophysiology Program at Ohio State’s Ross Heart Hospital offers a full range of medical and catheter-based treatments for cardiac arrhythmia, an abnormal rhythm of the heart that can cause it to pump less effectively and lead to problems with heart chamber contractions. An arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too fast, beats too slowly or skips beats because its electrical impulses become disjointed or disorganized. Some arrhythmias may barely cause symptoms, but others can result in such complications as fainting, stroke or cardiac arrest.

Electrophysiologists (EPs) – cardiologists who treat electrical malfunctions of the heart – use sophisticated technology and equipment to identify and destroy, or ablate, heart tissue responsible for arrhythmias. The Ross Heart Hospital team has nine EPs who are experts in the various arrhythmia treatment options, including the next generation of catheter-based care: Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation System, which uses magnet-guided catheters to provide precise control not found in other equipment for treating arrhythmias. Electrophysiologist Emile Daoud, MD, says patients benefit from this technique by having a quicker, safer procedure. And afterward, he adds, many patients no longer require medication for heart rhythm problems.

Program highlights of 2006:

Five electrophysiologists were recruited to bolster arrhythmia treatment capabilities.
Approximately 120 new staff – including nurses, technicians, researchers and administrators – were hired to support the expanded team of electrophysiology physicians.
Multidisciplinary specialty clinics were established for Atrial Fibrillation and Genetic Arrhythmias.
An electrophysiology research section was established in Ohio State’s Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute with the addition of five electrophysiology research nurses.
The Electrophysiology Program has more than 25 research protocols.
The program structured an electrophysiology floor with specially trained staff to tend to the treatment of patients with arrhythmias. It also designed a 24-hour consultative service.
Two additional invasive electrophysiology labs were established along with the Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation System, thus providing a total of five invasive electrophysiology laboratories.
The program extended its electrophysiology fellowship from one to two years and from one to two trainees per year.