All you need to know about Cardiac Electrophysiology

Cardiac Electrophysiology (EP) is a test that studies the electrical system of the
heart. It is used to understand the cause of heart rhythm disorders and to narrow
down on the best treatment for the problem. Our heart pumps about 4,300 gallons
of blood every day, through the intricate vascular network of the body, although
pumping blood is the main function of the heart, each and every one of the 100,000
beats generated daily is initiated and finely regulated by the electrical impulses that
originate in the heart itself.

When a person has abnormal heart rhythm, doctors use Electrophysiology to find
out the cause; Usually, electrical signals travel through the heart in a set
pattern. Certain heart conditions or diseases like heart attacks and high blood
pressure, or ageing, may damage the heart, resulting in irregular heartbeat. Extra
abnormal electrical pathways seen in certain congenital heart defects may also lead
to arrhythmias.

During an electrophysiology/EP study or test doctors insert a thin tube called a

catheter into a blood vessel that leads to your heart. The electrode catheter,
specially designed for Electrophysiology study, makes it possible for them to send
electrical signals to the heart and record its electrical activity. Doctors use
electrophysiology study to learn:

From where an arrhythmia is coming from.

How well do particular medicines work in treating arrhythmia?

If they should treat the problem using catheter ablation

To check if a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is

required

To check whether one is at risk of heart problems such as fainting or sudden

cardiac death due to cardiac arrest.

About 3 to 5 electrically sensitive catheters are placed inside the heart to record the
electrical activity during electrophysiology test.

However, there are also few risks of EPS such as

It is possible that one may have abnormal heart Arrhythmias during the
electrophysiology test. In this case, the doctor might give an electric shock to
the heart, to bring back a regular heartbeat.
Sometimes blood clots form at the tip of the catheter. These may break off
and block a blood vessel. In such a situation, the doctor may prescribe
medicines to prevent blood clots.
 There are also chances of infection, bleeding and bruising at the site of
insertion of a catheter (groin, arm or neck). The doctor will help in avoiding
such problems as well.

Narayana Health is one of the best hospitals in India for heart rhythm disorders
and has some of the most skilled doctors in the country. With 23 hospitals, 7 heart
centres and a network of primary health centers across India, and a hospital in the
Cayman Islands, Narayana health has gathered international acclaim for providing
high-quality healthcare. For Arrhythmia treatment, they have a team of dedicated
and experienced physicians. This super-specialty hospital in India provides
advanced care in almost 30 specialities including cardiology & cardiac surgery,
cancer care, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopaedics, nephrology & urology and
gastroenterology. The hospital also has advanced facilities such as cardiac
electrophysiology, Implantable cardioverter defibrillator, (ICD) Implant Surgery,
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy, Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion etc.