Cardiac Electrophysiology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cardiac electrophysiology?

Cardiac electrophysiology is the clinical subspecialty of cardiology that cares for patients with acute or chronic arrhythmias, provides initial surgical care and follow-up of implantable cardiac devices (pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators), and therapeutic cure for various arrhythmias.

What is an arrhythmia?

Cardiac arrhythmias are extra, irregular, or slow heart beats. They’re a common malady among both patients with prior cardiac disease as well as those without previous illness. Arrhythmias can range from benign to malignant — some cause noticeable symptoms, while others do not. Arrhythmias are usually managed with medicines or with an invasive procedure called a cardiac electrophysiology procedure.

What is a cardiac electrophysiology procedure?

Performed only by specialized cardiac electrophysiologists, this procedure involves placing catheters into the heart via leg veins to map out arrhythmia sites and deliver targeted radiofrequency energy, called ablation, to eliminate arrhythmias.

Can I get this care through 91´óÉñ and Women’s Harbor Medical Associates?

Yes. 91´óÉñ and Women’s Harbor Medical Associates provides a full range of cardiac electrophysiology and cardiac arrhythmia management services. Under the direction of cardiac electrophysiologist Seth McClennen, MD, 91´óÉñ and Women’s Harbor Medical now offers the largest dedicated cardiac electrophysiology program on the South Shore.

Dr. McClennen is on the medical staff of 91´óÉñ and Women’s Hospital and on the faculty of Harvard Medical School in addition to directing the Cardiac Device Clinic at 91´óÉñ and Women’s Harbor Medical Associates.

A majority of invasive electrophysiology procedures are now performed at South Shore Hospital, although elective procedures with higher complexity are performed by Dr. McClennen at 91´óÉñ and Women’s Hospital in Boston.