Electrophysiology Study (EP)

Electrophysiology studies use electrodes attached directly to the heart to collect detailed information in people with heart rhythm disorders caused by cardiomyopathy. These studies produce very precise maps of the pathways that electrical impulses travel in the heart. The results can be difficult to interpret and must be evaluated in light of all other medical information. Unlike an ECG, an electrophysiology study is an invasive procedure requiring heart catheterization.

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Electrophysiology studies may take as long as four hours. Once the catheter is put in place, the physician stimulates the heart with tiny electrical impulses that cannot be felt. However, the impulses may trigger the arrhythmia that is causing your symptoms. This allows the physician to see where the arrhythmias are occurring and the mechanisms of the heart that may be causing the irregular heartbeat. During the study the physician can also evaluate the effectiveness of treatment alternatives for your particular arrhythmia, including medications and pacing devices.

As with other catheterization procedures, electrophysiology studies carry risk. In general, less than one of every 100 people undergoing an electrophysiology study experiences a complication. These include bleeding, bruising, blood clots, and infection. There also is a small risk of a stroke or a tear in the lining of a blood vessel during catheterization. In addition, there is a risk of developing a severely abnormal heart rhythm, including ventricular fibrillation. The physician team is trained and prepared for handling this emergency.