The heart has a specific electrical conduction system that orchestrates your heartbeats. Certain abnormalities can cause heart rhythm disorders.
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a procedure designed to accurately assess electrical cardiac activity. It can therefore identify the abnormalities causing heart rhythm disorders known as arrhythmias. This test is therefore a valuable diagnosis tool and helps guide treatment decisions.
What happens during an electrophysiology study?
A local anesthetic is injected to prepare for the electrophysiology study. Once the groin area has been numbed, two catheters are inserted into the femoral vein. These catheters are then guided through the veins to the heart. The electrodes attached to the tips of the catheters are used to record the heart’s electrical activity. These same electrodes can also be used to pace the heart.
An electrophysiology study lasts between one and two hours.
Once the study is complete, the catheters are removed and a stitch is inserted in the groin area. In most cases, the patient can leave the same day or the next day.
What is the purpose of this test?
This test may be prescribed in case of palpitations and in some cases of syncope (sudden and brief loss of consciousness). It helps establish an accurate diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
An ablation may be performed immediately after the electrophysiology study or at a later time. This is the case when an abnormality in the heart’s electrical system is identified as the cause of palpitations. In other cases, the electrophysiology study may confirm the need for a pacemaker or an implantable defibrillator.
How to prepare for it?
The medical team will generally ask the patient not to eat or drink for several hours prior to the test.
Are there any potential complications?
As with any invasive procedure, there are risks involved, but they are rare. According to the French Society of Cardiology, the complication rate is 1.5%.
The most common complication is hematoma at the vessel puncture site. An arterial injury may occur, which requires intervention. More serious but even less common complications include pulmonary embolism, cardiac perforation, pneumothorax and phlebitis.
Is an electrophysiology study painful?
No, electrophysiology studies are not painful, apart from cases involving complications.
Reviewed and approved by Marine Arnaud, MD, Cardiologist at Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU)
