Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can make your child’s heartbeat too fast, too slow, or irregular. Our pediatric electrophysiology team specializes in diagnosing and treating arrhythmias in children, from common rhythm issues to the most complex heart conditions.

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Your child’s heartbeat is controlled by the heart’s electrical system. When that system doesn’t work properly, it can cause an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. These rhythm problems can occur on their own or as part of another heart condition.

Because children’s hearts are smaller and still developing, arrhythmias can look different than those in adults. That’s why it’s important to see pediatric electrophysiology experts who understand how to evaluate and treat rhythm disorders in growing hearts.

Excellence in pediatric arrhythmia care

University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital’s pediatric arrhythmia care specialists provide expert evaluation, advanced testing, and leading-edge treatments. Our electrophysiologists (EPs) are the only pediatric specialists of their kind in Iowa and South Dakota, offering every modern therapy for children with heart rhythm disorders.

Types of pediatric arrhythmias

There are many types of arrhythmias in children, and each affects the heart in a different way. Common types include:

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). A fast rhythm that begins in the upper chambers of the heart.
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. An extra electrical pathway in the heart that causes it to beat rapidly.
Atrioventricular (AV) block. A slow heart rate caused by blocked electrical signals.
Ventricular tachycardia. A fast rhythm that begins in the lower chambers of the heart.
Congenital heart block. A type of AV block that is present from birth, sometimes linked to autoimmune conditions.
Long QT syndrome. An inherited heart rhythm disorder that causes fast, chaotic heart beats due to abnormalities in your heart’s electrical system.
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). An inherited heart rhythm disorder that causes an abnormally fast heart rate, often triggered by physical activity or emotional stress.

Our specialists care for children with both isolated rhythm problems and arrhythmias related to congenital heart disease or previous surgery.

Symptoms of arrhythmia

Your child’s symptoms may vary depending on the type of arrythmia. While some children with arrythmias will have no symptoms at all, others may experience:

Heart palpitations (feeling your heart racing, fluttering, or skipping beats)
Dizziness
Fainting
Shortness of breath
Fatigue

How arrhythmias are diagnosed

If your child has these symptoms or an abnormal screening result, our team performs specialized testing to confirm the diagnosis. Tests may include:

Electrocardiogram (EKG). A short test that records the heart’s electrical activity.
Holter or event monitors. These are worn for several days or weeks to track rhythms over time.
Cardiac telemetry. Used for continuous monitoring while you’re in the hospital, this involves attaching electrodes to your child’s chest that connect to a small device.
Exercise treadmill testing. A test that involves walking on a treadmill while hooked up to monitors that will measure how the heart responds to exertion.
Electrophysiology (EP) study. A catheter-based procedure to pinpoint the source of the rhythm problem.

These tools allow our specialists to detect arrhythmias safely and accurately, guiding the right treatment plan for your child.

Treatments for arrhythmias

Every child’s heart rhythm problem is unique, so treatment is individualized. Many arrhythmias can be managed with medication or lifestyle adjustments, while others may require procedures or devices to restore a normal heartbeat.

We offer the full range of pediatric arrhythmia treatments, including:

Catheter ablation. A procedure that uses heat or cold energy to correct abnormal electrical signals.
Pacemaker. A small device surgically placed in your child’s chest that senses when the heart rate is too slow and sends signals to correct it.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). A small device surgically placed in your child’s chest that senses when the heart rate is irregular and sends signals to correct it.
Leadless and conduction-system pacing. Similar to pacemakers, these are small, wireless devices that work by activating the heart’s natural electrical pathways.
Lead extraction. A procedure that safely removes damaged or outdated wires from implanted devices.

Whenever possible, we perform these procedures using 3-D mapping technology to eliminate or greatly reduce radiation exposure.

Our team also provides long-term rhythm monitoring, family education, and support for safe return to school, activities, and sports.