Electrophysiology (EP) is a subspecialty of cardiology that examines the electrical behavior of the heart by recording electrical activity from within the heart chambers. One catheterization laboratory procedure is called electrophysiology (EPS) study, which specialized cardiologists use to diagnose or treat a rhythm problem of the heart. Doctors thread specialized catheters through blood vessels in the patient's leg or neck, up to pace the heart and to measure and record the electrical activity of the heart. When doctors detect abnormal electrical pathways, which can cause dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities, they can do another procedure called radiofrequency (RF) ablation to cure the problem. During RF ablation, the doctors use a special mapping catheter, which is positioned precisely, to deliver radio frequency energy to a very tiny area of the heart, destroying the abnormal pathway or tissue. The Pediatric Arrhythmia Center at Stanford and UCSF is directed by Dr. George Van Hare. It is based at both Packard Children's Hospital and UCSF Medical Center, and includes faculty and staff at both facilities. Dr. George Van Hare performed the first pediatric radiofrequency catheter ablation in the United States. The Center is at the forefront of the latest advances in the diagnosis and management of children with complex heart rhythm disturbances. One of the largest programs in the United States, the center has a team with extensive experience in treating children with rhythm disorders such as the relatively common supraventricular tachycardia through the most complex cases such as arrhythmias after surgery. Our team is also skilled in treating adults with congenital heart disease, and works together with the internationally recognized adult electrophysiology programs at Stanford and UCSF. Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation In this procedure, a physician uses high frequency radio waves use thermal heat to burn and eliminate the precise location in the heart from which an arrhythmia originates. Our team offers the full range of conventional and investigational therapies to treat children with heart rhythm problems, including radiofrequency catheter ablation, which have revolutionized treatment for childhood arrhythmias. This includes the use of advanced computerized mapping systems, as well as new methods of energy delivery -- such as cooled tip ablation. Implantation of permanent pacemakers is available, as well as the implantation of cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), when necessary. Our team has achieved excellent outcomes: in cases of supraventricular tachycardia (the most common cause of a rapid heart beat), for instance, we've accomplished a 98 percent success rate with a very low complication rate. Our team also specializes in the treatment of children who develop rhythm disturbances following surgery. Using new technology for mapping and ablation of these arrhythmias, the team has achieved good outcomes with these difficult cases. Our team also has a growing and successful practice in treating children with complex arrhythmias or who have failed previous treatments. Pediatric Pacemaker Clinic We operate one of the few exclusively pediatric clinics for follow-up of children with implanted pacemakers in Northern California. Pacemaker programming is often very different in children compared with adults, and special expertise is available at Packard Children's Hospital. Directed by Debra Hanisch, RN, we follow more than 40 children with pacemakers and ICDs, some of whom are as young as several months of age. For more information: Arrhythmia Service/Electrocardiography (ECG) Laboratory Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
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