Electrophysiology Studies

Electrophysiology Studies (EPS) are invasive tests, which help your cardiologist understand more about the electrical activity of your heart. Small tubes called catheters are placed into veins in the legs (groins) and sometimes in the arms, neck or under the collarbone and into the heart. Sometime the catheters are places into an artery and then into the heart. There is discomfort when the local anesthetic is use to numb the skin but in general there is little pain involved in an EPS study.

You will lie on your back on a soft mat and have an IV started before the test, EKG electrodes will be placed on your skin. The pads of the defibrillator are placed on your back and chest in case there is a need to cardiovert and arrhythmia. Drugs, which will make you sleepy and comfortable, are given via the IV and patients often sleep through most of the test.

It is common to feel your heart going fast during the EPS test. This may be pacing to test the heart or it may be the arrhythmia your doctor is looking for. Sometimes drugs related to adrenaline are given during an EPS test and if so you may feel you heart race. If the heart does go fast your doctor may often be able to slow it by pacing. If pacing does not restore normal rhythm a cardioversion or shock may be used to return the beat to normal. It is not uncommon to faint if this fast heartbeat does occur. An EPS test is often done to see if a person who faints has an irregular heart beat.

The EPS test can be done as an outpatient. The test itself may take from one to three hours to perform. There are also a number of potential complications and you need to discuss these with your doctor before the procedure.

Your doctor will know the results as the test is completed and plans for your can be made before you go home. You may not drive the day of your EPS test, because of the sedative drugs, which may be given. The EPS test may be normal and reassure you and your doctor. If a problem is found your cardiologist may recommend drugs to treat your heart beat irregularity. An ablation or an ICD or pacemaker may also be used.

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