CAMC Electrophysiology

3200 MacCorkle Ave. SE
Charleston, WV 25304

About us

Dedication to patient satisfaction and quality patient care are our top priorities.  We strive to make each patient as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Informing the patient, family and friends about the procedure and progress are also very important to us.

The electrophysiology lab started in 1989 under the guidance and vision of  Dr. Ronald McCowan. It was in a small room about 12' X 16' in the cardiac cath lab department. There was a c-arm for fluoroscopy and an E for M monitoring system. Two personnel staffed the lab.                                

The EP Lab moved to a location near the main operating room in 2002. There are now five full-time employees who staff the lab. Our total cath lab and electrophysiology lab experience is more than 50 years. Another Electrophysiologist began in August, 2005. 

The EP lab currently averages three cases per day. In 2004, we did 81 basic EP studies, 63 RFA Ablations, 46 Pacemakers, 121 ICDs, 60 Bi-V ICDs, and 10 Laser Lead Extractions. In 2005, we did 68 basic EP cases, 62 RFA Ablations, 73 Pacemakers, 208 ICD's, 99 Bi-V ICD's, and 15 laser Lead Extractions. We currently use the Bard System for monitoring and recording and the E.S.I. for mapping. The Spectranetics laser system is used for lead extractions. For the Atrial Fibrillation Ablations, the Papponie technique is used along with the Agilis steerable introducer.   

Although the electrophysiology lab is managed by the cardiac cath lab, the EP ensures that all stock is ordered and maintained. We use the DeRoyal system for entering patients for scheduling. Large equipment purchases are coordinated through the cath lab. The X-Ray equipment used is from Omega Medical.

The patients coming to our lab come from all across West Virginia. The electrophysiology RN facilitates the patient flow and scheduling. Also, we recover most of our patients in the EP lab but our BI-V Implant patients go to the O.R. recovery room. The EP staff also transports most of the patients because of the medications given. All pre and post patient education is coordinated with Dr. McCowan, his P.A. and Nurse Practitioner.

We are centrally located in the state of West Virginia and are one of three dedicated EP labs. The electrophysiology lab is in operation Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. We are closed on holidays and weekends. Some staff cover  shortages in the cath lab if possible and can take call if they want to.