Overview
Inherited arrhythmia disorders include several genetic conditions that place otherwise healthy individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death.
Due to the fact that inherited arrhythmias are passed down from parents to children, a family-centered approach to care is essential. The Inherited Arrhythmia Center is staffed by pediatric and adult cardiologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating abnormal heart rhythms. Genetic counselors are also involved in the patient’s care. This team model provides patients and their families with a comprehensive approach to their disorder.
What We Treat
Inherited arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that are passed down from family members. They place you at risk for dangerous heart rhythms such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. The most common arrhythmias include:
- Long QT syndrome (LQTS)
- Brugada syndrome
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
- Short QT syndrome (SQTS)
Patients may have symptoms of fainting or a history of treated cardiac arrest – or – no symptoms but a family history of these conditions.
The experienced electrophysiologists and genetic experts in the Inherited Arrhythmia Center specialize in treating patients with these conditions.
Our Team
Director: Peter Aziz, MD
Staff Members
Center for Pediatric & Adult Congenital Heart Disease
- Peter Aziz, MD– Pediatric Electrophysiology and Pacing, Director
Miller Family Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute
- Mina Chung, MD– Cardiovascular Medicine, Section of Electrophysiology and Pacing
- Niraj Varma, MD- Cardiovascular Medicine, Section of Electrophysiology and Pacing
- Mandeep Bhargava, MD – Cardiovascular Medicine, Section Electrophysiology and Pacing
- Pasquale Santangeli, MD, PhD - Cardiovascular Medicine, Section Electrophysiology and Pacing
Cardiovascular Clinical Genetics
- Mina Chung, MD
- Wilson Tang, MD
- Diane Clements, CGC, LGC
- Brittany Hansen, CGC, LGC
- Christina Rigelsky, CGC, LGC
- Paul Crawford, CGC, LGC
- Joseph Liu, CGC, LGC
Learn more about Cardiovascular Clinical Genetics.
Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health
Basic Science
Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic
Learn more about Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic
Appointments
The Inherited Arrhythmia Center is located on the second floor of the R Building - Cleveland Clinic Children's Outpatient Center.
To make an appointment, please call toll free 800.223.2273 and ask for extension 56532 or call locally 216.445.6532.
Let the appointment office know if you are having acute symptoms. When you make your appointment, ask the appointment secretary for the name of your physician.
Physician Referrals - Call 216.445.6532 (or call the physician’s office directly).
Before Your Appointment
If your scheduled appointment is at least one week away, you will be asked to send in your records, including medical history, test results and films (such as echocardiogram, chest X-ray, MRI, CT, etc.) and a detailed family history if you have one. Some patients may have prior genetic testing and copies of the testing reports are helpful. All information should be sent in the same package.
Important Mailing Information
- Clearly mark the package with your name and address
- Send the package via Airborne Express, Federal Express, or certified U.S. mail (make sure you have a tracking number)
- Address the package to the physician you will be seeing
- Address the package as follows:
Dr. Peter Aziz, Shari Hopkins
Inherited Arrhythmia Center
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue, M41
Cleveland, OH 44195
If your scheduled appointment is less than one week away, please bring your records to your appointment.
Travel to Cleveland Clinic
If you are traveling to Cleveland Clinic from outside of the area, we can help make the trip as easy as possible.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
You will meet with a nurse who will collect information about you and your condition.
Depending on the specific type of inherited arrhythmia you have, you may need additional tests. These can include specialized blood tests, electrocardiogram (EKG), stress tests, ambulatory monitoring and/or imaging tests . You will then meet with your Center cardiologist. (S)he will review your records and take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and talk to you about other specialists within the Center that you may need to see. You will receive a diagnosis and plan of care.
Genetic testing may be indicated as part of your evaluation and you may be asked to meet with our genetic counselors.
Treatment plans include:
- Learning about your inherited arrhythmia
- Counseling on lifestyle considerations
- Medications
- Procedures such as catheter ablation or pacemaker/defibrillator implantation
- Surgery
How long will you need to stay at Cleveland Clinic?
The length of time needed to complete all the tests is different for each patient. However, if you are visiting Cleveland Clinic from outside the area, you should plan to stay in the Cleveland area for 1 to 2 days.
Follow Up
Regular follow up is necessary for patients with inherited arrhythmias. Your doctor at the Center will let you know how often you will need to come back for follow-up care and the other details of your treatment plan.
More Information
If you need more information, click here to contact us, chat online with a nurse or call the Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute Resource & Information Nurse at 216.445.9288 or toll-free at 866.289.6911. We would be happy to help you.
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