Cardiac Electrophysiology
At Summit Health, our Cardiac Electrophysiology team is dedicated to diagnosing and treating complex heart rhythm disorders with precision, compassion, and the most advanced techniques available.
Overview
An irregular heartbeat can be unsettling—but with the right specialist, it is manageable. At Summit Health, our Cardiac Electrophysiology team is dedicated to diagnosing and treating complex heart rhythm disorders with precision, compassion, and the most advanced techniques available. Whether you are living with atrial fibrillation, experiencing unexplained palpitations, or have been referred for a device implant, we are here to help you find answers and feel confident in your care.
Our electrophysiologists works closely with the broader Summit Health cardiology team to ensure you receive seamless, coordinated care from diagnosis through treatment and long-term follow-up.
Our approach to heart rhythm care
The heart's electrical system governs every beat. When that system misfires, it can lead to arrhythmias—rhythm disturbances that range from mildly disruptive to potentially life-threatening. Cardiac electrophysiology is the subspecialty of cardiology dedicated entirely to understanding, diagnosing, and correcting these electrical abnormalities.
At Summit Health, we take a comprehensive, personalized approach to heart rhythm care. Every patient receives a thorough evaluation to determine the most appropriate treatment path—whether that means monitoring, medication, a minimally invasive procedure, or an implantable device. Our goal is to restore your quality of life and give you the confidence that your heart is in expert hands.
Conditions and procedures
Our electrophysiology services cover the full spectrum of heart rhythm diagnosis and treatment, including:
- Catheter Ablation: A minimally invasive procedure that targets and eliminates the abnormal electrical pathways causing arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
- Pacemaker Implantation: A small implantable device that monitors and regulates a slow or irregular heartbeat by delivering gentle electrical impulses.
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD): A device implanted to detect and correct dangerously fast heart rhythms by delivering a controlled electrical shock when needed.
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): A specialized pacemaker-based treatment designed to improve the coordination of the heart's contractions in patients with heart failure and conduction abnormalities.
- Left Atrial Appendage Closure (Watchman™ Device): A minimally invasive alternative to long-term blood thinners for patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk for stroke. The Watchman™ device closes off the left atrial appendage to prevent blood clots from forming and entering the bloodstream.
- Electrophysiology (EP) Studies: Diagnostic testing that maps the heart's electrical activity to pinpoint the source of an arrhythmia and guide treatment planning.
- Holter and Event Monitoring: Wearable cardiac monitors that record heart rhythm over an extended period to capture irregular episodes that may not occur during a standard office visit.
Conditions we treat
Our electrophysiologist is experienced in diagnosing and managing a wide range of heart rhythm disorders, including:
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): The most common serious arrhythmia, characterized by rapid and irregular electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart, which can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.
- Atrial Flutter: A fast but regular rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart, often related to atrial fibrillation.
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Episodes of abnormally rapid heart rate originating above the ventricles, often causing sudden palpitations or dizziness.
- Ventricular Tachycardia (VT): A fast, potentially dangerous rhythm originating in the lower chambers of the heart.
- Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib): A life-threatening arrhythmia in which the ventricles quiver rather than pump effectively.
- Bradycardia: An abnormally slow heart rate that may cause fatigue, dizziness, or fainting.
- Heart Block: A disruption in the electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of the heart.
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome: A congenital condition involving an extra electrical pathway in the heart that can cause rapid heart rates.
- Syncope (Fainting): Episodes of sudden loss of consciousness that may be linked to an underlying heart rhythm problem.
Our specialists
Robert Altman, MD, FACC
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Bradley Peltzer, MD, FACC, FHRS
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Jonathan Steinberg, MD
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Clinical ResearchArrhythmias: What happens when your heart has an irregular beat
Have you ever felt like your heart was racing or skipping a beat? Most of the time, heart palpitations are meaningless. But they can also be a sign that your heart has an abnormal rhythm, a potentially serious medical condition called an arrhythmia.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cardiologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system. A cardiac electrophysiologist is a cardiologist who has completed additional fellowship training—typically two or more years—focused specifically on the heart's electrical system. This subspecialty training prepares them to diagnose and treat complex arrhythmias using advanced procedures such as catheter ablation and device implantation.
Your primary care provider or cardiologist may refer you to an electrophysiologist if you experience symptoms such as a racing or fluttering heartbeat, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath that may be related to a heart rhythm problem. You may also be referred if you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, require a pacemaker or ICD, or need evaluation following a cardiac event.
The Watchman™ is a minimally invasive implantable device designed to reduce stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are at an increased risk of stroke but are not ideal candidates for long-term blood thinner therapy. The device closes off the left atrial appendage—a small pouch in the heart where most AFib-related blood clots form—to help prevent those clots from reaching the brain.
Yes. Most electrophysiology procedures, including catheter ablations and device implantations, are performed using minimally invasive techniques. This means smaller incisions, shorter recovery times, and less discomfort compared to open surgical approaches.