The heart is a muscle that is constantly beating to pump blood through tubes (blood vessels) to all parts of the body. The heart’s “plumbing system” and “electrical system” must both work correctly for the heart to work as it should.
The heart’s normal electrical system synchronizes the beating of the heart’s chambers. When the electrical system does not work well, disturbances in normal heart rhythm (arrhythmias) cause abnormal heartbeats, such as too rapid, too slow or not very regular.
These arrhythmias can cause symptoms such as fluttering and palpitations. The abnormal heartbeat sometimes can reduce heart function.
Physicians usually treat these disturbances in heart rhythm with medication, minimally invasive procedures or implanted cardiac electrical devices. At Norton Children’s Heart Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, electrophysiologists work closely with specially trained nurses and technicians in the electrophysiology laboratory to fully evaluate, treat and often cure many arrhythmias in children.
State-of-the-Art Technology to Treat Arrhythmias
Electrophysiology services include:
- Defibrillator insertion
- Intracardiac electrophysiology studies
- Transesophageal electrophysiology studies
- 3D mapping
- Catheter ablation with radiofrequency or cryoablation technologies
- Insertion of pacemakers — small, battery-powered medical devices designed to electrically stimulate the heart muscle in an effort to restore a more normal heart rhythm
- Loop recorder insertion
Why Choose Norton Children’s Heart Institute
- Norton Children’s Hospital has been a pioneer in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, performing Kentucky’s first pediatric heart transplant in 1986 and becoming the second site in the United States to perform an infant heart transplant.
- The American Board of Thoracic Surgery has certified our cardiothoracic surgeons in congenital heart surgery.
- The Adult Congenital Heart Association has accredited Norton Children’s Heart Institute’s Adult Congenital Heart Program as the only comprehensive care center in Kentucky and Indiana treating adults born with a heart defect.
- More than 5,000 children a year visit Norton Children’s Heart Institute for advanced heart care.
- Norton Children’s Heart Institute has offices across Kentucky and Southern Indiana to bring quality pediatric heart care closer to home.
- The Jennifer Lawrence Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Norton Children’s Hospital is the largest dedicated CICU in Kentucky, equipped with 17 private rooms and the newest technology available for heart care.
It’s not a matter of how much heart you have, but how much heart you give. That is true for Johnathan Young. He was born with half of a working heart. Johnathan, age 11, is […]
Read Full Story
The commonly known “goal” for healthy blood pressure in adults is 120/80, but this guideline does not apply to many children. “What is considered a healthy reading for adults could indicate an unhealthy blood pressure […]
Read Full Story
Community members have an opportunity to send children who are patients at Norton Children’s facilities a Valentine’s Day greeting. The greetings can be selected at NortonChildrens.com/Valentine. From Feb. 1 to 10, 2022, people can choose […]
Read Full Story
In many cases, preventing heart disease in children can be accomplished with lifestyle changes. Preventable heart disease in children is increasing, likely tied to a widespread increase in childhood obesity. According to the Centers for […]
Read Full Story
A new study confirms that a patient who breastfeeds has a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, or death from cardiovascular disease. New research suggests that the risk decreases with longer periods of breastfeeding, […]
Read Full Story