Electrical signals in your heart make the heart muscles contract, which pumps blood to your body. If the electrical signals are not flowing well through the heart, this can create serious problems.
An electrophysiology study is a test where electrode wires are passed through a blood vessel and into your heart. This electrode can record or create electrical activity. This can help find any problems with the flow of electricity in your heart.
An electrophysiology study is performed to:
If you are planning to have an electrophysiology study, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
A person’s risk level is very individual. It may relate to the specific arrhythmia suspected and any underlying medical conditions.
Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Do not drink or eat anything after midnight the night before the procedure.
You doctor may order:
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
A local anesthetic will be given by needle. It will numb the area where the catheter will be inserted. You will also receive a mild sedative through an IV in your arm. This will help you to relax during the test.
You will be asked to lie down on an examination table. Electrodes will be placed on your chest. The electrodes will help to monitor your heart rhythm during the test. An area on your thigh, neck, or just below your collarbone will be cleaned. A thin electrical wire will be inserted into a blood vessel in that area.
The electrode will be passed through the blood vessel and into your heart. Your doctor will be able to see the progress of the catheter with the help of x-rays on a screen. The tip of the electrode can send electrical signals to your heart. The signals will make the heart beat at different speeds. Your heart rhythm will be recorded to look for abnormalities. The tip of the electrode can also record electrical activity at specific spots in your heart muscle.
The length of the test will vary based on what your doctor is investigating. The test may take 2-4 hours or more to complete.
You may feel some mild discomfort with the initial injection. As the doctors induce an arrhythmia, you may feel palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or you may even lose consciousness. The medical team can usually control arrhythmias with medicines, but they may need to administer a shock to stop some rhythms. If they need to do this, you will receive more sedation so that you do not feel pain.
If your doctor does not need to do additional procedures, you may be able to go home after about six hours. However, you may need to remain in the hospital for up to 24 hours if additional procedures are done during the study.
The results of the study may be available before you leave the hospital or in the next few days. Your doctor will notify you if you need any treatment.
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
Texas Heart Institute
http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/splash/
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
http://www.ottawaheart.ca/
References:
HeartCenter Online website. Available at: http://www.heartcenteronline.com. Accessed November 22, 2004.
North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology website. Available at: http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_tests/electrophysiology_study.asp. Accessed November 22, 2004.
Texas Heart Institute website. Available at: http://texasheartinstitute.org/. Accessed November 22, 2004.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Craig Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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