Philip L. Wackel, M.D.

Philip L. Wackel, M.D., is a pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he cares for children and adolescents with heart rhythm disorders. Dr. Wackel specializes in diagnosing and treating complex arrhythmias, offering advanced therapies to improve quality of life and long-term heart health. His clinical expertise includes catheter-based ablation therapies and device implantation for young patients with conduction abnormalities and life-threatening rhythm conditions.

As an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Dr. Wackel is committed to education and mentorship, sharing his expertise through lectures, research, and leadership within pediatric electrophysiology.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Wackel provides personalized treatment for children and families, using advanced technology and minimally invasive approaches when possible. His areas of expertise include:

• Arrhythmia care: Evaluation and management of supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and other rhythm disturbances
• Cardiac conduction disorders: Care for conditions such as heart block and other forms of conduction disease
• Catheter ablation therapy: Including cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and pulsed field ablation for treating arrhythmia
• Cardiac rhythm device implantation: Pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement and follow-up care
• Implantable loop recorders: Use of monitoring devices for accurate arrhythmia detection and diagnosis

Research and expertise

Dr. Wackel's academic interests focus on pediatric and congenital electrophysiology, with active involvement in clinical research to improve arrhythmia outcomes and cardiac device management strategies. He has contributed to national consensus statements, authored multiple book chapters, and published extensively in leading cardiology journals. He also plays an active role in shaping education for future pediatric cardiologists through curriculum design and national speaking engagements.