Dr. Akash Patel is an electrophysiologist who specializes in caring for fetuses, infants, children, adolescents and young adults with cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). He also cares for adults with congenital heart disease. He specializes in arrhythmia disorders, such as supraventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, inherited cardiac arrhythmia disorders and arrhythmias accompanying congenital heart disease. He also specializes in care of children whose underlying conditions place them at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. His expertise includes treatments such as catheter ablation (reaching the heart via a thin, flexible tube in order to destroy the tissue causing abnormal rhythms) using radiofrequency or cryothermy, and implanting devices, including pacemakers, loop recorders (which record the heart's electrical signals) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (which can correct abnormal beats by delivering a shock). He can perform most procedures without using techniques that expose patients to radiation.

Patel's research focuses on ways to improve quality in pediatric electrophysiology. Specifically, he has looked at strategies to reduce radiation use, genotype-phenotype relationships in inherited arrhythmia disorders, use and optimization of electrophysiology diagnostic testing and ablation, the role of device therapies in congenital heart disease and the effect of abnormal rhythms on heart function.

Patel earned his medical degree from Boston University. At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, he completed a residency in pediatrics, followed by a fellowship in cardiology and advanced training in electrophysiology. Prior to joining UCSF, he worked as an electrophysiologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Patel is a fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society and American Heart Association, and a member of the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society. He is passionate about medical education and directs UCSF's fellowship program in cardiology.

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