Ochsner Pediatric Electrophysiology

The Ochsner Pediatric Electrophysiology team consists of the following:

• Walter Hoyt, MD
• David Weiland, MD
• Jenna White, PA-C

Our team sees patients at Ochsner Children's Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, and at satellite clinics in Houma, Baton Rouge, Covington, Slidell and Lafayette, Louisiana, and in Gulfport, Mississippi. Telemedicine clinics are available for patients in Monroe, Louisiana.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, Dr. Hoyt, Dr. Weiland and Jenna are also involved in multicenter research projects with many pediatric heart centers throughout the country. They are members of the Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) and Sudden Arrhythmic Death Society (SADS). Dr. Hoyt is the medical director for Project ADAM for Louisiana, an organization that promotes heart-safe schools.

The pediatric electrophysiology team at Ochsner Children's treats a wide variety of heart disorders in kids. Some of the conditions we treat are:

• Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythms (too fast, too slow or erratic)
• Palpitations and dizziness: Frequent or unexplained sensations of a racing or fluttering heart or dizziness
• Fainting (syncope): Episodes of unexplained loss of consciousness
• Congenital heart disease-related issues: Rhythm problems linked to structural heart defects
• Inherited heart conditions:
  • Long QT: A heart rhythm disorder, often inherited, where the heart's electrical system takes too long to recharge between beats
  • Brugada: A rare, inherited heart condition affecting the heart's electrical system, causing dangerous arrhythmias) and
  • Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT): A rare, inherited heart condition causing dangerous, rapid heartbeats (ventricular tachycardia) during physical activity or emotional stress
• Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome: An extra electrical pathway in the heart

“Ochsner Children's never gave up on Rivers. The doctors, nurses and staff were always working together and always on top of it. They really made us feel like they cared – and they did.” - Mother of pediatric cardiology patient, Rivers C.

Heart rhythm abnormalities can be either too slow, which are called bradyarrhythmias, or too fast, which are called tachyarrhythmias. Either can be dangerous if they compromise blood flow. Many conditions can cause these abnormalities including extra electrical tissue in the heart, such as accessory pathways, inherited conditions, heart muscle abnormalities, congenital heart disease and more.

Your child would see a pediatric electrophysiologist for heart rhythm issues (arrhythmias), like a heart beating too fast, too slow, or irregularly, often indicated by palpitations, dizziness, fainting (syncope), shortness of breath with activity, or a family history of sudden cardiac death, to diagnose and treat electrical problems using specialized tools like catheterization or ablation. 

When something goes wrong with your child's heart and its electrical impulses, they may need to see an electrophysiologist. A pediatric electrophysiologist treats children or teens who have heart rhythm problems.

Arrhythmias in children stem from structural issues (congenital defects, surgery scars), inherited conditions (Long QT Syndrome), triggers like fever, dehydration, stress, and medications, electrolyte imbalances, infections, or can be normal responses to exercise, but sometimes causes are unknown, with common types including SVT and PVCs/PACs. 

A heart murmur is a recurring sound heard in the heart through a stethoscope that is usually a sign of disease or damage.