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Electrophysiology is the field of medicine that deals with the electrical activity of the heart. The heart uses electrical impulses in order to pump normally and efficiently. When these electrical impulses are abnormally slow or fast, arrhythmias may develop. These arrhythmias may lead to other problems such as syncope, stroke, heart failure, or even cardiac arrest.
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a noninvasive procedure that involves a series of tests that is useful in diagnosing both slow and fast arrhythmias.
An EP study is performed in the hospital by an electrophysiologist, typically under general anesthesia. Catheters are inserted into veins in the groin and then thread up through those veins into the heart. Once the catheters are in the heart, the heart’s electrical signals can be measured to evaluate for any slow arrhythmias. Medication may also be infused to see if there are any fast arrhythmias.
If there are known fast arrhythmias, a catheter ablation may also be performed at the time of the EP study for atrial fibrillation/flutter, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
If ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation is induced during an EP study, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be implanted at the time of the EP study.
An electrophysiologist is a type of cardiologist who has specialized in the electrical activity of the heart. The following are a few reasons you should meet with a provider specialized in electrophysiology:
Often, the heart can be a cause for fainting or passing out. Electrophysiology can help determine the cause and offer treatments depending on the results of testing.
If you repeatedly feel your heart beating fast or irregularly, you may have a heart arrhythmia.
Pacemakers, defibrillators, and loop recorders require ongoing monitoring after implant. If you have one, you should be seen regularly in the clinic.
If you have had prior arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, you should be evaluated by an electrophysiology specialist.
An EP study is a procedure performed by a highly trained electrophysiologist at the hospital. Typically, you will be placed under general anesthesia for the test. While asleep, a small catheter is inserted, generally in the vein in your groin, and threaded up to your heart. The tips of these catheters help map the electrical signals in your heart to evaluate for abnormalities. They may also infuse some medication that can bring arrhythmias out to help diagnose heart arrhythmias.
Often, at the time of the EP study, our team will perform ablation surgery to correct the electrical conduction abnormalities or arrhythmias we find. You will typically be able to go home the same day as your procedure when having an EP study done.
Heart of Dixie Cardiology is your center for electrophysiology! Our team of advanced care professionals has an intimate knowledge of the heart. We will ensure you have a comfortable, personalized electrophysiology experience. Regardless of you having a diagnosis or a gut feeling that something is wrong, our professionals will listen and treat you with the utmost care. For electrophysiology and other dependable care, contact the experts at Heart of Dixie Cardiology.
Heart of Dixie Cardiology is a specialty subset of the Revere Health group. We have over a dozen cardiology providers throughout our locations to give you the specialized heart care that you deserve.
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