Rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) cause more than 400,000 sudden deaths each year in the U.S alone, a number that accounts for more than two-thirds of the nation's heart related fatalities.  In addition, abnormal electrical activity of the heart is associated with a compromised quality of life in many more individuals.  However, the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias are not completely understood and treatment is for the most part, empirical.  CBRTC is bringing together biophysicists, physiologists, biomedical engineers, cardiologists, radiologists and surgeons in an interdisciplinary effort to address these issues.