The Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing Unit is dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias).

Arrhythmias may present with symptoms such as palpitations, tachycardia (increased heart rate), bradycardia (decreased heart rate), dizziness, loss of consciousness (syncope), and, in the most severe cases, cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. Thanks to the continuous advances in modern cardiology, most of these conditions can now be treated effectively and often definitively.

Our service offers a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic pathway, integrating the most advanced technologies in interventional electrophysiology and cardiac pacing. Treatment options include catheter ablation procedures to selectively eliminate the circuits responsible for arrhythmias, as well as the implantation of advanced cardiac devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy systems.

Recognized and accredited by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) as a reference and training center (ERTC), our service combines clinical care, research, and innovation.

In collaboration with USI and SUPSI, we develop advanced digital models aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness.

We are also actively involved in major clinical studies funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Swiss Heart Foundation, as well as in national and international registries that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and patient care in the field of cardiac electrophysiology. Furthermore, we collaborate with the Ticino Cuore Foundation to optimize the management of cardiac arrest throughout the Canton of Ticino.

TEAM

Prof. Dr. Giulio Conte

Head of Service

PD Dr. Maria Luce Caputo

SPECIALIST DOCTOR

 

PD Dr. Tardu Özkartal

SPECIALIST DOCTOR

 

PD Dr. Marco Bergonti

Cardiologist

Dr.ssa med. Esther Scheirlynck

Cardiologist

Outpatient Activity

Our specialized outpatient units provide comprehensive care for patients with heart rhythm disorders.

Services include:

• Specialist evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the main cardiac arrhythmias
• Assessment, programming, and optimization of pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy devices, and leadless pacemakers
• Dedicated unit for inherited arrhythmic disorders and genetic cardiomyopathies, including access to genetic testing and personalized care pathways
• Remote monitoring of implanted cardiac devices
• Long-term cardiac rhythm monitoring using Holter ECG (24–48 hours), ECG patches (up to 14 days), and implantable loop recorders (up to 6 years)
• Evaluation of electrocardiograms obtained through digital technologies (e.g., KardiaMobile, smartwatches, and smart rings)
• Tilt-table testing
• Pharmacological testing
• External electrical cardioversion
Each patient undergoes a personalized clinical assessment aimed at identifying the most appropriate therapeutic strategy.

Interventional Electrophysiology

The unit has two electrophysiology laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems.
These technologies allow highly accurate reconstruction of the heart’s electrical activity, enabling precise diagnosis and highly personalized treatment. Procedures are performed by specialists with extensive experience in both conventional and complex arrhythmia ablation.
The main procedures include diagnostic electrophysiological studies and catheter ablation using radiofrequency energy or pulsed field ablation (PFA) for the treatment of various arrhythmias, including:
• Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter
• Supraventricular tachycardias
• Ventricular premature beats (PVCs)
• Ventricular tachycardias
Procedures are performed under local anesthesia, deep sedation, or general anesthesia, according to the patient’s clinical characteristics and procedural requirements. Whenever possible, patients may be discharged on the same day of the procedure (outpatient setting).

Cardiac Pacing

The service offers the full spectrum of implantable cardiac devices for the treatment of bradyarrhythmias, prevention of sudden cardiac death, and management of heart failure.
Available procedures include:
• Implantation of conventional pacemakers
• Implantation of atrial and ventricular leadless pacemakers
• Implantation of pacemakers using conduction system pacing (CSP)
• Implantation of conventional implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)
• Implantation of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs)
• Implantation of extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (EV-ICDs)
• Implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) systems
• Generator replacement of implanted devices
• Extraction of infected or malfunctioning leads using mechanical or laser-assisted techniques
Implantation procedures are performed in close collaboration with the Cardiac Surgery and Anesthesiology Departments in dedicated operating theatres, including state-of-the-art hybrid operating rooms.
For many patients requiring pacemaker implantation, the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Our Activity in Numbers

Every year, our team performs:

• Approximately 350 catheter ablation procedures
• More than 300 pacemaker, defibrillator, and cardiac resynchronization device implantations
• Approximately 120 generator replacements due to battery depletion
• More than 100 advanced diagnostic procedures, including pharmacological testing, tilt-table testing, and loop recorder implantation
• More than 4,000 specialist consultations and implanted device follow-up visits
• More than 2,000 Holter ECG recordings
• Daily remote monitoring of approximately 650 patients with implanted cardiac devices