What does an EP study involve?
During an EP study, your doctor inserts small, thin wire electrodes into a vein in the groin (or neck, in some cases). He or she will then thread the wire electrodes through the vein and into the heart. To do this, he or she uses a special type of X-ray “movie,” called fluoroscopy.
What is Cardiology EP study?
An electrophysiology (EP) study — also called invasive cardiac electrophysiology — is a series of tests that examine the heart’s electrical activity. The heart’s electrical system produces signals (impulses) that control the timing of the heartbeats.
How long does it take to do an EP study?
An EP study and ablation can take 2 to 6 hours. In rare cases, it can take longer. If you have an EP study only and you don’t need more treatment, you may go home the same day. But if you also have ablation, you may stay overnight in the hospital.
What is a positive EP study?
EP studies can identify these patients at high risk of progression and therefore is used for risk stratification in patients presenting with syncope with bundle branch block on EKG. [15] The positive predictive value of EP study in determining patients who require PM implantation is > 80%.
What are symptoms of electrical heart problems?
The heart may beat too fast or too slowly, or may skip beats. You may feel palpitations: a rapid heart rate, skipped beats, thumping or pounding in your chest. Cardiac arrhythmias may make you feel anxious, nervous, dizzy, faint or short of breath. Cardiac arrhythmias often are controlled with medications.
How much does EP study cost?
A breakdown of charges by hospital department (Table 2) showed that EPS patients had higher charges for the hospital room (mean, $14 841 versus $10 277), electrophysiology laboratory ($10 132 versus $5207), and professional fees ($5711 versus $3602).
Do they sedate you for an EP study?
EP studies are usually done with “conscious sedation” — that is, you will be given medication to relax you, but you will not be put under general anesthesia. Your doctor will talk to you ahead of time about the level of anesthesia planned for you. You will be awake, but you must remain still during the procedure.
What is life expectancy after an ablation?
After a single ablation procedure, arrhythmia-free survival rates were 40%, 37%, and 29% at one, two, and five years.
How do you fix electrical heart problems?
Typically, surgeons defibrillate the heart—send it a controlled electrical shock—to reset the electrical system, and then implant a pacemaker or defibrillator to maintain it.
Can the heart’s electrical system be repaired?
This is the world of electrophysiology (EP). Just as blocked or damaged blood vessels and valves can be repaired without surgery by interventional cardiologists, interventional electrophysiologists fix the heart’s circuitry.