An electrophysiology study is a test performed to assess your heart’s electrical system or activity and is used to diagnose abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmia. Natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart.
This helps keep blood flowing the way it should. This movement of the heart creates the heartbeat, or heart rhythm. It can help find what’s causing your irregular heartbeat. It also helps figure out the best treatment for you.
Why should need of Electrophysiology
When someone’s heart doesn’t beat normally, doctors use EPS to find out why. Electrical signals usually travel through the heart in a regular pattern. This may be done when other tests have not been clear and your doctor strongly suspects you have a heart rhythm problem
To see how well medicine given to treat a rhythm problem are working. This may cause the heart to beat in an irregular pattern. Extra abnormal electrical pathways found in certain congenital heart defects can also cause arrhythmias.
How do you prepare before the Electrophysiology
· Don’t eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before the test.
· You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is not clear.
· Have someone drive you to your appointment and take you home.
· If you are pregnant or think you may be, tell your healthcare provider.
· Based on your medical condition, your healthcare provider may request other specific preparation.
Procedures for Electrophysiology
A nurse will put an IV in your arm. You’ll get medicine that will help you relax. But you’ll be awake and able to follow instructions during the test. To prevent infection, a nurse will shave and cleanse the groin and possibly neck area where the catheters will be inserted.
You will remove your clothing and put on a hospital gown. You’ll be given a shot a local anesthetic will be given to make the area numb. Your doctor will make a needle puncture through your skin and into your blood vessel.
A local anesthetic will be administered with a tiny needle to numb the area where the catheters are inserted. You will feel a pinprick and possibly a stinging sensation for a few seconds. The doctor will gently guide several specialized EP catheters into your blood vessel through the sheath and advance them to your heart. A video screen will show the position of the catheters.
This procedure will take a time of minimum 1 hour to maximum 4 hours.
One or more catheters, which are thin, long, flexible wires, will be inserted into a large vein in your groin or neck. Your doctor will send small electric pulses through the catheters to make your heart beat at different speeds. You may feel your heart beat stronger or faster.
You may feel pressure when the catheters are inserted. The incision site is less than a quarter of an inch. Your doctor will remove the catheters and the IV line. Your nurse will put pressure on the puncture site to stop any bleeding.
