What is an EP study?

An electrophysiology or EP study is a cardiac procedure conducted to assess the heart’s electrical activity and system. It is aimed at diagnosing, analysing and treating arrhythmia or heart rhythm disorders.

The function of the heart is to pump blood throughout your body’s intricate vascular system, and it does so by instigating and regulating electrical impulses which create the heartbeats. The EP study focuses on this function and records the heart’s electrical activity using a catheter. The data is transferred to a monitor which allows doctors to study the heart’s activities and determine if there is something wrong.

How is an EP study performed?

For an EP study to be conducted, the patient will be placed on a table with electrodes connected to their chest and back. These are connected to monitoring equipment. The patient is given a sedative to make the procedure more comfortable. The groin or neck area is cleansed with antiseptic and catheters are inserted through a small incision. These catheters are directed toward the heart and positioned in specific areas where they will receive readings of the heart’s electrical activity. This reading or ‘electrical mapping’ will help doctors identify problematic areas in the heart that may be disrupting electrical flow.

If a hearth rhythm defect is observed, the doctor will administer electrical impulses radio frequency or medication to terminate or correct the defect and restore a normal cardiac rhythm. An EP study also allows doctors to implant a pacemaker or perform cardiac ablation.

When is an EP study necessary?

An EP study is often prescribed if the patient is showing signs of a cardiac rhythm defect. This procedure is recommended in cases of:

• Arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm
• Sudden cardiac death
• Cardiac ablation procedure
• Heart surgery
• Syncope or temporary loss of consciousness to determine the cause

Cardiac electrophysiology is a fast growing field in health care. Talk to your cardiologist today for more details on how to take the best care of your heart.