Clinical Electrophysiology Program  

The Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology has continued its outstanding performance. Our faculty have been pioneers in the development of cardiac resynchronization (biventricular pacing) for the treatment of congestive heart failure. In collaboration with the Center for Heart Failure Therapy, we have become the highest-volume implanting center in the nation. The faculty at Crawford Long Hospital hold regular, nationally televised, closed-circuit training sessions for clinicians interested in learning the technique of biventricular pacing, and are recognized experts in the field. Since the advent of this technique a few years ago, we have published three high impact papers, six abstracts and have five clinical trials ongoing in patients who have biventricular device implants.

Atrial fibrillation is also an area of active investigation. Dr. Langberg was the first to describe the phenomenon of endocardial remodeling in this arrhythmia. Using a porcine model, this study revealed that atrial fibrillation, by causing oxidative stress, may make the lining of the atria prone to forming blood clots. In collaboration with Drs. Sam Dudley and David Harrison, studies are in progress to investigate this newly described phenomenon. This basic work may lead to important new therapies for the prevention of stroke.

Clinical investigations of atrial fibrillation include evaluation of new methods of catheter ablation of the pulmonary veins and participation ( in collaboration with Peter Block) in a feasibility trial of percutaneous catheter occlusion of the left atrial appendage for prevention of stroke.