Cardiac electrophysiology

Cardiac electrophysiology is the science of the electrical conduction system of the heart. It is concerned with the normal and abnormal transmission of impulses from the cardiac pacemaker and its influence on contraction of the myocardium (the muscle of the heart). A specialist in cardiac electrophysiology is known as a cardiac electrophysiologist, or (more commonly) simply an electrophysiologist. Cardiac electrophysiology is considered a subspecialty of cardiology, and requires one or more years of fellowship training beyond a general cardiology fellowship.

Related Topics:
Science - Heart - Cardiac pacemaker - Contraction - Myocardium - Cardiology - Fellowship

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The primary tools used by the cardiac electrophysiologist are the electrocardiogram (EKG) (either measured on the body surface or via catheters within the heart), which is a representation of the electrical forces within the heart, and programmed electrical stimulation, which measures the heart's reaction to electrical impulses that are delivered via catheters placed inside the heart.

Related Topics:
Electrocardiogram - Catheter - Programmed electrical stimulation

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