Cesar Alberte, MD, Director of Electrophysiology
Douglas Kopp, MD, EP Fellowship Training Program Director
L. Lee Eckhardt, MD
Vicken R Vorperian, MD

The electrophysiology program at the University of Wisconsin offers a state-of-the-art program for inpatient and outpatient diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. By carefully defining each patient's arrhythmic problem, the most appropriate therapy can be selected from a broad list of options. Using the skilled application of selected therapies, the electrophysiology program hopes to obtain the best possible outcomes in a broad range of potentially disabling or even lethal cardiac arrhythmias.

Electrophysiology procedures at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics are performed in a state-of-the-art, newly renovated, dedicated electrophysiology laboratory equipped with high-resolution pulsed biplane fluoroscopy, the latest intracardiac stimulator, 3D mapping, computerized multichannel recording system and operating room-quality ventilation. The electrophysiology laboratory performs a full range of invasive procedures, including percutaneously-implanted devices and catheter ablation procedures for treating and curing a variety of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Such devices include implantable cardioverter defibrillators for treating ventricular tachyarrhythmias, pacemakers for treating bradyarrhythmias, and biventricular pacing for resynchronization therapy in heart failure. Laser lead extraction is also offered. Similar services are offered at Meriter Hospital.

The electrophysiology program actively participates in researching new devices, new lead systems and new indications for the use of ICDs and pacemakers. Research is also underway regarding concomitant pharmacologic therapy and/or catheter ablation along with device implantation.

The electrophysiology program provides an outpatient clinic as well as an inpatient consultation service. The outpatient clinics at both the UW and Atrium follow more than 500 patients with transtelephonic and clinical evaluations. Each clinic visit includes a variety of follow-up procedures for pacemaker and ICD patients. Visits are directed at addressing the appropriateness and efficacy of detection and therapy settings with a final goal of insuring patient safety and maximizing pacemaker and ICD battery life.

In addition to these clinical services the program focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of arrhythmias as well as mechanisms of antiarrhythmic drug action; developing new pharmacologic, catheter and surgical ablation techniques; new catheter and electrode designs; investigating newer arrhythmia mapping and navigational technologies; and advances in arrhythmia device therapy.

The electrophysiology program is an important venue for educating housestaff and fellows. Trainees receive instruction in understanding arrhythmia pathophysiology and new techniques of diagnosis and treatment. Trainees are involved in clinically evaluating new energy sources and catheter delivery systems as well as diagnostic electrophysiologic testing and therapeutic ablation procedures. By offering the full range of inpatient and outpatient cardiac electrophysiology services the program at UW seeks to provide the highest level of care in a cost-effective manner.

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Contact Information

Douglas Kopp, MD, EP Fellowship Training Program Director
G7/347 CSC
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792-3248
Phone: (608) 265-2094
Fax: (608) 263-0405

Cesar Alberte, MD, Director Electrophysiology
H6/352 CSC
600 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 53792-3248
Phone: (608) 263-7855