Electrophysiology

Catheters and wire electrodes that measure electrical activity are inserted into blood arteries that enter the heart during the test.

An EP study is a procedure that detects irregular cardiac rhythms. It normally takes one to two hours to complete. However, if other therapies, such as catheter ablation, are performed at the same time, it may take longer.

What is the result of the test?

If performed for bradycardia (slow heart rate), it reveals the cause of the bradycardia as well as if the patient requires a lifelong pacemaker device.

If done for tachycardia (a rapid heart rate), it will diagnose the problem and direct us to the appropriate treatment. Medication is one option for treatment for catheter ablation and AICD implantation.

If an irregular impulse is coming from a given region of the heart, we can use a surgery called catheter ablation to remove excess (burn up the area so it can't conduct electrically) that area.

When a patient's heart begins to beat quickly and chaotically, a shock box may be required to return the patient to a normal sinus heartbeat. The automatic implantable Cardioverter defibrillator is the name for this shock box (AICD). This device is placed similarly to a pacemaker, however it is larger.