As a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist, Mark Schoenfeld, MD, diagnoses and manages heart rhythm disorders and fainting (syncope). In order to do this, he performs diagnostic electrophysiology studies (EPS) to determine abnormal electrical activity in the heart.
“I treat a range of cardiac disturbances, from the most benign to those that are potentially life-threatening,” Dr. Schoenfeld says.
Based on the rhythm disturbance that he identifies, he may perform cardiac ablation or implantation of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator to manage a patient’s heart rhythm disturbance.
He helped pioneer the field of cardiac electrophysiology almost four decades ago and has dedicated his work to caring for patients with irregular heart rhythms.
“Using cardiac ablation, we can actually cure patients of certain arrhythmias and alleviate their symptoms,” Dr. Schoenfeld says. “This is gratifying since there are very few medical conditions that can actually be cured. In the case of more serious rhythm disturbances, pacemakers and defibrillators may save patients’ lives.”
“But, in the end, the most rewarding part of my job is interacting with patients and working together to identify, address, and manage their medical and cardiac conditions,” he says.
His research focuses on improving pacemaker and defibrillator device therapy, as well as improving the ability to remotely monitor these devices. He has established international guidelines for practitioners and the U.S. government on the optimal ways of managing patients with cardiac rhythm disturbances.
