Arrhythmia

Research

The Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service at UCSF Medical Center maintains a vigorous research program. Here are a few of the highlights.

Atrial Arrhythmias

The Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service, headed by Dr. Jeffrey Olgin, has a long-standing interest in atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. This group has defined the mechanism of common atrial flutter, as well as complex flutter patterns including double wave, lower loop and upper loop reentry. More recently, we have described patients with left atrial septal flutter. We have pioneered new techniques for mapping and ablation of complex atrial tachycardia and flutter circuits. Current research interests include mapping and ablation of patients with atrial arrhythmias, novel drug therapies and basic science investigations into the mechanisms of these arrhythmias.

Atrial Fibrillation

The Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service has a large research effort in all aspects of atrial fibrillation. Dr. Jeffrey Olgin has several NIH funded projects in the basic science arena to understand the causes of and to develop novel treatments for atrial fibrillation. The group has several ongoing research trials to develop novel mapping and ablation approaches to cure atrial fibrillation, to study the genetic basis of atrial fibrillation and to study potential ways to prevent atrial fibrillation. Within the section, Olgin has established an Atrial Fibrillation Center with Kathy Woods, R.N., Ph.D. to treat patients with atrial fibrillation and to perform research in this area.

Right Ventricular Dysplasia

UCSF Medical Center is one of the centers involved in an NIH sub-study of patients with right ventricular dysplasia. We are conducting innovative studies relating to the use of advanced mapping systems to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

Sudden Cardiac Death and Long QT Syndrome

A number of research activities relate to the correlation of life-threatening arrhythmias with genetic abnormalities. Some of the pioneering work related to the treatment of the long QT syndrome was made at UCSF Medical Center. QT is a measurement of the electrical recording of the heart. We are currently treating a large number of patients with long QT syndrome, Brugada's syndrome and right ventricular dysplasia, all of which is funded by the McEowan Foundation.

Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia

We are currently studying the correlation of surface electrocardiogram (ECG) with exact location of the ventricular tachycardia (VT) focus in patients with VT in normal hearts. This will hopefully allow for better diagnoses and treatment of these patients.

Catheter Ablation

UCSF Medical Center pioneered the use of catheter ablative techniques for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. We continue to have a rich tradition of research that results in innovative techniques for patients with serious and/or complex rhythm disorders.

Genetics of Sudden Death and Arrhythmias

UCSF is studying the genetic factors that predispose patients to sudden cardiac death, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. In addition to genetic disease known to predispose to sudden cardiac death, we also are interested in identifying genetic risk factors for sudden death in patients with and without heart disease. We study the genetic basis of other arrhythmias as well.

Resynchronization Therapy for Heart Failure

The UCSF Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service was one of the first centers in the United States to use resynchronization therapy, or biventricular pacing, for the treatment of heart failure and performed much of the early research in this area. We continue to have a major research effort in this area, participating in several large clinical trials evaluating this therapy as well as performing research in novel devices and leads. We also are investigating new ways to measure outcomes of the procedure and to develop new ways to identify patients who might benefit from this procedure.

Smoking and Arrhythmias

The UCSF Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service is studying the effects of smoking, particularly secondhand smoke, on producing arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.

Cellular Therapeutics

The UCSF Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service has a basic science effort in tissue engineering and cellular therapeutics to develop novel ways to treat arrhythmias, such as gene therapy and stem cell therapy.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007