Children's Hospital Colorado
A close-up of a stethoscope on a patient's chest.

About the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Program

Since 1993, the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Program at Children's Hospital Colorado has been internationally recognized for treating children and young adults with abnormal heart rhythms, known as pediatric cardiac arrhythmias.

Seamlessly integrated with other pediatric cardiology subspecialties in our nationally ranked Heart Institute, our Program provides top heart rhythm care for infants, children, teens and young adults. We also treat adults with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), providing lifetime treatment for patients born with congenital heart defects and heart rhythm abnormalities. We regularly see patients from around Colorado and the surrounding states, including Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico and Kansas.

From pediatric electrophysiology (EP) studies to cardiac ablation techniques, implantable heart pacing devices to cardiac genetics, we proudly offer the most advanced and sophisticated electrophysiology procedures and care in the region.

Why choose us for pediatric electrophysiology care

Kids aren’t just little adults. Their bodies are different, and this is true of their hearts and heart conditions, too. Congenital heart defects and childhood heart rhythm problems require specialized, lifetime care from a team of pediatric cardiology experts. Our electrophysiology team has specialized training to treat pediatric heart rhythm conditions from before birth in the Colorado Fetal Care Center and throughout adulthood in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program.

Advanced pediatric electrophysiology treatment and techniques

We offer complete care and advanced treatments for patients, including:

  • Advanced cardiac imaging, including 3D mapping, high-density mapping and intracardiac echocardiography
  • Advanced pacing techniques by experienced pediatric electrophysiologists
  • Cardiac ablation procedures in our state-of-the-art Electrophysiology Lab
  • Cardiac device implantation and management, including:
    • High-tech device options like S-ICD and cardiac resynchronization therapy
    • Loop recorders
    • Pacemakers
    • Implantable cardioverter defibrillators
  • Lead extraction, the only dedicated pediatric program in the Rocky Mountain region
  • Low fluoroscopy and no-fluoroscopy procedures
  • Genetic counseling and family planning
  • Outpatient rhythm monitoring

Sophisticated cardiac ablation with low radiation

Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure designed to find the source of an arrhythmia and then use heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryotherapy) energy to safely remove it. We’re committed to using the lowest amount of fluoroscopy possible in every study. In fact, most of our procedures use no fluoroscopy. This makes getting an EP procedure here safer by using the lowest amount of radiation possible.

Comprehensive, multidisciplinary care

When experts from multiple specialties work together, it leads to improved patient care. Our multidisciplinary team consists of board certified pediatric cardiac electrophysiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, exercise physiologists, pediatric nurses, geneticists, psychologists, social workers and others. Here, these specialists team up to address each patient’s unique needs.

Cardiac genetics

Many arrhythmia conditions are caused by genetic abnormalities. Our dedicated cardiac geneticist and genetic counselor take the time to explain these complex conditions and their impact on other family members. We also have cardiac imaging specialists to assist with diagnosing these diseases.

Leaders in pediatric electrophysiology care and research

As the only Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)-accredited electrophysiology program in the Rocky Mountain region, we’re leaders in our field and meet quality benchmarks for clinical guidelines, best practices and outcomes. This means we provide the highest quality cardiac electrophysiology procedures and care available.

Our cardiac electrophysiologists are leaders in the field and participate in national committees for pediatric electrophysiology. We also lead multi-center studies and publish research examining the latest advances in arrhythmia care. This means our patients have access to the most leading-edge treatments and interventions available. Read more about our work and discoveries in pediatric cardiology.

High volumes mean more experience

When it comes to health, experience matters. Our dedicated team sees thousands of patients and performs hundreds of interventions each year. These volumes prove our experience and expertise with the complete spectrum of heart rhythm conditions, from the common to the complex.

Proven outcomes

At the Heart Institute, we’re dedicated to providing excellent care to each and every patient. In fact, our outcomes and volumes make us one of the top pediatric heart centers in the country.

See why our outcomes make us one of the top heart hospitals

 

Who we treat in the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Program

We treat patients in-utero, infants, children, teenagers, and young adults. We also have extensive experience in the rhythm management of patients with complex congenital heart disease across all age groups. We work closely with our colleagues in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program. In fact, we’re the only pediatric electrophysiology program with a board certified ACHD provider and a dedicated ACHD service.

Our world-class cardiac facilities are equipped to treat the most complex of cases. Our Electrophysiology Lab has the most advanced equipment available to map the electrical system of the heart and find the arrhythmia source. Our entire team, from doctors to nurses to staff, is dedicated to pediatric electrophysiology specifically.

We are national leaders in the use of high-density mapping catheters and have the ability to collect more information safer, faster, and with more successful outcomes. Additionally, we can integrate advanced imaging like CT and MRI scans to provide a clear picture in even the most complex of heart conditions.

Conditions we treat

We treat heart issues from the common to the complex, including:

  • Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
  • Atrial flutter
  • Atrial fibrillation (abbreviated as Afib)
  • Atrioventricular block (also called "heart block")
  • Brugada syndrome
  • Catecholamine sensitive ventricular tachycardia
  • Ectopic atrial tachycardias
  • Long QT syndrome
  • Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
  • Sinus node dysfunction
  • Supraventricular tachycardias caused by extra electrical connections in the heart
  • Syncope (known as fainting), sudden collapse and sudden arrhythmias
  • Torsades or torsades des pointes
  • Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome

Learn more about the conditions we treat in the Heart Institute.

Contact us

No matter the complexity of you or your child’s condition, we’re ready to help. Please call us today to make an appointment.

For appointments in the Denver Metro Area: 720-777-6820.

In Colorado Springs: 719-305-9120.

Referring providers

For 24-hour specialist consultation, referrals, diagnostic dilemmas and more, please contact our pediatric electrophysiologists through OneCall.

Denver: 720-777-3999

Colorado Springs: 719-305-3999

For questions, please call our coordinators at 720-777-8646 or email us at EPTeam@childrenscolorado.org.

Compassionate care, wherever you are

We’re here when you need us. Telehealth appointments are available across every specialty, so you can get the high-quality care we’ve always offered from the comfort, privacy and convenience of home.

See if telehealth is right for you

 

Get to know our pediatric experts.

Martin Runciman, MBBS

Martin Runciman, MBBS

Cardiology - Pediatric

Kathryn Collins, MD

Kathryn Collins, MD

Cardiology - Pediatric

Johannes von Alvensleben, MD

Johannes von Alvensleben, MD

Cardiology - Pediatric

Looking for a second opinion?

From heart conditions present at birth to adult congenital heart disease to heart conditions requiring surgery, our pediatric heart experts can provide a second opinion so you feel confident in your care plan.

Request a second opinion from our Heart Institute