Cardiac Electrophysiology

If you have an irregular heartbeat, also called a cardiac arrhythmia, you might need to see an electrophysiologist–a doctor with special training to diagnose and treat problems with the heart’s electrical system, which helps control your heartbeat. Through Emerson’s affiliations with Mass General Brigham, our electrophysiologists perform these diagnostic and treatment procedures at the most advanced facilities in Boston.

Advanced Electrophysiology Studies

Electrophysiology (EP) studies evaluate your heart’s electrical activity to pinpoint the exact source of your arrhythmia to help your doctor understand:

How well your medications are working to control your arrhythmia
If you need a device to help keep your heart beating normally and lower the risk of fainting or cardiac arrest
If a specific part of your heart requires treatment to stop the abnormal electrical signals

Our Treatments

The treatments available for heart rhythm disorders include:

Medications: Some medicines can help control heartbeats that are not regular.
ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator): This device can be implanted inside the body to shock the heart and bring it back to a normal rhythm if necessary.
Pacemaker: This device helps keep your heart beating at a regular pace.
CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy): A special pacemaker that helps both sides of your heart beat together.
Catheter Ablation: A procedure that destroys the small heart tissue causing rhythm problems.
Cardioversion: A procedure that uses electric shocks to reset your heart’s rhythm.
Surgical Ablation: More complex surgeries that treat serious rhythm issues, especially for problems like atrial fibrillation.