Pediatric Electrophysiology & Arrhythmia Treatments

Arrhythmias in Children

Although some babies born with heart defects have rhythm issues as a child, many patients develop new rhythm problems as they age. Arrhythmias are a common heart problem in adults living with congenital heart defects.

Arrhythmias occur when the electrical system that regulates a steady heartbeat experiences a problem. As a result, the heart beats either too slowly, too quickly or irregularly – causing the heart to pump blood less efficiently. When this happens, vital organs may not receive adequate blood to meet their needs. An irregular heartbeat should always be evaluated by a heart rhythm expert, especially when it occurs in a child. At UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s, we have a team to help diagnose and treat heart rhythm issues, utilizing the newest medications, devices and other treatments to help manage your child’s condition.

Advanced Treatments Provided by Our Team

If your child has an irregular heartbeat, your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric heart specialist. There are several tests that may be used to diagnose arrhythmias, including:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): A study that uses electrodes to evaluate the heart’s rhythm
• External non-invasive monitors (e.g., Holters and event monitors): A wearable device that records the electrical activity of the heart without the use of an implantable device.
• Implantable Loop recorders: An implantable device that records the heartbeat continuously for up to three years.
• Tilt table test: A test that shows how the heart responds to changes in the body’s position.
• Electrophysiology study (EPs): These tests give a detailed analysis of the heart’s electrical activity
• Provocative studies: Can be used to diagnose a range of heart rhythm conditions

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age and general health. It will also depend on how severe your child’s condition may be. Our highly qualified, board-certified physicians at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s provide a range of treatment options including ablation therapy and implantable device therapy Our expert team has had tremendous success developing and using catheter ablation therapies with radiofrequency ablation and cryo-ablation for arrhythmias as well as cardio-neuroablation for autonomic etiologies. Implantable devices include loop recorders, pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Center for Cardiovascular Genetics Collaboration for Inherited Syndromes

A genetic defect may be inherited and passed down through a family member, which can result in problems in the heart’s muscle function (cardiomyopathy) or its electrical system.

Our electrophysiology center, consisting of pediatric and adult electrophysiologists in tandem with our cardiovascular genetics services – offers clinical screening, genetic testing and treatment for inherited arrhythmia syndromes like:

• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C)
• Brugada syndrome
• Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CCPVT)
• Familial dilated cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Left ventricular non-compaction
• Long QT syndrome
• Short QT syndrome

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Fetal Arrhythmia Team

We take a team approach to diagnosing, treating and monitoring fetal arrhythmias, which are fairly common occurrences during pregnancy. The team consists of fetal pediatric cardiologists, pediatric and adult electrophysiologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists and a dedicated nurse practitioner. A fetal arrhythmia can often be treated using medications safely administered to the fetus by giving the medication to the expectant mother. Our team works together to continue monitoring both mother and baby throughout the entire pregnancy.

Expert Care Before and After Giving Birth

Because we are so close to the advanced pregnancy services team at UH Cleveland Medical Center, mothers can deliver their babies just steps away from where expert care will be provided for their babies after delivery. If parents prefer, babies with low-risk heart defects can be delivered at another hospital location, but our fetal heart team can monitor mom and baby throughout the pregnancy.

Our dedicated pediatric cardiac intensive care and pediatric cardiac step-down units provide expert care for all babies born with heart disease. Our family-centered care approach means that parents can stay by their child’s side in the same room, during their entire hospital stay.