Arrhythmia Service
Director: Mark E. Josephson, MD
Appointments: 617-667-8800
Pioneers of Modern Cardiac Electrophysiology
The Harvard-Thorndike Electrophysiology Institute and Arrhythmia Service at BIDMC is the oldest and largest program of its kind in the region. Its founder, Mark E. Josephson, MD, the CVI’s chief of cardiovascular medicine, is among the pioneers of modern cardiac electrophysiology. He remains active as a clinician, educator and researcher.
Most Advanced Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities
Attracting patients nationally and worldwide, with about 7,000 visits annually in the arrhythmia and pacemaker/device clinics, the service offers the most advanced diagnosis and treatment modalities, including catheter-based ablation to control or cure a variety of arrhythmias. An onsite ambulatory electrocardiography laboratory provides 24-hour monitoring for arrhythmia diagnosis and management. Physicians achieve excellent outcomes with implantation of pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and biventricular devices. Pacemaker and ICD lead removal are also offered. Patients benefit from education and support groups.
Services
Cardiac electrophysiology services include:
- Ambulatory arrhythmia management in an outpatient clinic setting for patients with even the most complex arrhythmias
- Syncope clinic with a special focus on treating unexplained syncope (fainting)
- Intensive electrophysiologic (EP) evaluation to diagnose both clinical tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias and test the effectiveness of medications
- Catheter ablation during which physicians deliver radiofrequency energy to abnormal areas of the heart to control or cure a variety of cardiac arrhythmias
- Defibrillator and permanent pacemaker implantation with follow-up in a pacemaker/device clinic that provides continuing education and support groups
- Transvenous lead extraction, using the latest techniques, including laser sheaths-to extract chronically implanted pacemaker and defibrillator leads
- Biventricular pacing for patients with advanced heart failure
