Cardiology - Electrophysiology

The Department of Cardiology is involved in a wide range of basic, translational, and clinical research programs that span all of the cardiovascular subspecialty areas. Electrophysiology (EP) is the diagnosis and treatment of the electrical activities of the heart. This can include the placement of a pacemaker or internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). A pacemaker is needed when the heart requires help to generate the electrical pulse that keeps it beating or that increases the heart rate when an individual is exercising. An ICD is needed if an individual is at risk of dangerous heart rhythms. If the heart goes into one of these dangerous heart rhythms, the ICD will deliver a shock in an attempt to break the abnormal rhythm.

In EP research, we conduct clinical trials (research studies) with patients to test the safety and effectiveness of various types of pacemakers, ICDs, and new cardiac devices.