Electrophysiology (EP) Study and Ablation

Typically, the heart has regular electrical patterns which can be measured. A problem with the heart’s electrical system can cause an arrhythmia, or rhythm disturbance.

An EP study takes a look at the heart’s electrical system. A highly-trained cardiac specialist, called an electrophysiologist, can purposely cause an abnormal heart rhythm in a controlled environment. While observing this rhythm, data is collected about the flow of electricity within your heart. The area of the heart with the abnormal rhythm can be mapped for the ablation procedure.

To correct the abnormal heart rhythm, a catheter (a long, thin flexible wire with monitoring electrodes on the tip) is placed inside of a blood vessel (usually in the groin or neck) until it reaches the heart. The physician can then use heat or cold to ablate, or destroy, the abnormal electrical pathways causing the irregular heart rhythm.

Why is an EP Study needed?

If you have any type of cardiac arrhythmia, you’ve probably already had several other tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter Monitor test. Because some arrhythmias are periodic (not continuous), they are not always captured on an ECG or Holter Monitor. Your physician has recommended an EP study for one of several reasons:

1. To diagnose the source of your symptoms or arrhythmia
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of certain medications to control heart rhythm
3. To predict the risk of future cardiac events
4. To assess need for an implantable device (ICD or pacemaker).