Electrophysiology & Heart Rhythm Program

The heart’s electrical system works around the clock to keep it pumping in a steady, organized way. It lets the heart muscle know when to pump or relax and automatically adjusts to the body’s changing needs.

Disruptions to this intricate system can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. Some arrhythmias are caused by abnormal prenatal heart development and structural heart defects.

Any child born with congenital heart disease has a higher risk of an arrhythmia throughout their life. This may be due to the effects of heart disease over time or other conditions such as surgical scarring.

Arrhythmias can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood, and without expert care, may lead to organ damage or other serious complications, including heart failure.

Some arrhythmias cause obvious symptoms, such as:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Racing or erratic heartbeat
• Slow heartbeat
• Trouble breathing

Some arrhythmias have no symptoms but can be discovered during a routine exam. At Phoenix Children’s Center for Heart Care, we offer comprehensive screening and diagnosis to find and treat all types of heart arrhythmias in children and adults.

• Regional leaders in heart rhythm care. We are one of the largest electrophysiology and heart rhythm programs in the country and the largest program of its type in the Southwest region. Our team of heart rhythm specialists treat a high volume of cases, from common to complex, ensuring patients receive the best care available.
• Pioneers in innovative care. Our team of specialists provide advanced treatment options for you or your child that can't be found anywhere else in the Southwest. We specialize in conduction system pacing as an alternative to more traditional pacemaker placement. We are one of the few pediatric heart centers in the country to provide leadless pacemaker implantation for children, including premature infants. We are one of the only pediatric centers in the Southwest region offering extravascular defibrillator implantation (EV ICD) and pediatric atrial fibrillation ablation.
• Collaborative team approach. Our team includes experts from a wide range of specialties, including cardiac surgeons, imaging specialists and genetic counselors working together to provide comprehensive care. Every member of the team brings their unique talents and experience to develop a customized treatment plan for each patient.
• Advocacy for families. We actively support efforts to ensure patients with arrhythmias have access to the support and care they need to live active, healthy lives. Our team advocates regularly to ensure patients with heart issues have access to lifesaving resources in the classroom and public spaces.