Electrophysiologist Expert Witnesses
The medical experts you need for cases involving electrophysiology
Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. An electrophysiologist is a type of cardiologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating issues with the heart’s electrical system.
In the United States, electrophysiologists must complete medical school, followed by a residency program in either internal medicine or cardiology. Following residency, they must complete an accredited fellowship program in electrophysiology, which typically lasts two to three years and includes hands-on experience with various diagnostic and therapeutic techniques used to treat arrhythmias. Board certification is administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in the subspecialty of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology.
Some medical conditions an electrophysiologist may treat include:
- Bradycardia – heartbeat is too slow
- Tachycardia – heartbeat is too fast
- Atrial fibrillation – heartbeat quivers or flutters
- Cardiac arrest – sudden stop of heartbeat
What is electrophysiologist malpractice?
Electrophysiologists and cardiologists, more broadly, are held to high standards of care because of the critical nature of heart disease. Some examples of electrophysiologist malpractice include:
- Failure to diagnose and treat a patient's arrhythmia.
- Inappropriate use of catheter ablation or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement, leading to complications.
- Failure to properly inform a patient of the risks and benefits of a particular electrophysiology procedure, resulting in the patient giving uninformed consent.
- Misinterpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG) or another diagnostic test.
- Failing to properly manage a patient's medication regimen or follow up with necessary appointments.
- Inappropriate or excessive use of electrical cardioversion, causing injury or damage to the patient's heart or other organs.
An electrophysiologist expert witness can explain the medical standards of care and opine on whether a heart condition was misdiagnosed or incorrectly treated by an electrophysiologist. In addition, many types of injuries affect the heart's rhythm directly or indirectly, such as blows to the chest. An electrophysiologist can provide expert testimony on the long-term impact of the injury or condition on the patient's health and quality of life, as well as the potential costs associated with ongoing treatment or care.
Find the electrophysiology expert witness you need
Finding experts in niche sub-specialties can be a critical part of a medical malpractice or personal injury case, but it can also be exceptionally difficult for attorneys. Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants has been helping many of America’s preeminent attorneys in these situations for over 38 years. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your potential case.