Electrophysiology Study

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An electrophysiology study (EPS) is a test to show the electrical activity in your heart. Your heart has an electrical system inside it that controls your heart's rhythm (heartbeat). A problem with your heart's electrical system may lead to abnormal heartbeats. Abnormal heartbeats include bradycardia (too slow), tachycardia (too fast), and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Abnormal heartbeats may cause symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, breathing problems, and chest pain. Abnormal heartbeats may also cause palpitations (strong heartbeats you can feel in your chest, neck, and throat). EPS helps caregivers find the area in your heart causing abnormal heartbeats. Some problems with your heart's electrical system can be fixed during the test.
  
  
• When you have abnormal heartbeats, you may need medicine to make your heart beat regularly. An EPS may be done to check how well your heart medicine is working. EPS can also be done to check if a pacemaker (device to control your heartbeat) is working correctly. During an EPS, a catheter (a long, thin, bendable tube) is put in your heart. The catheter records your heart’s electrical activity. Caregivers may also use the catheter to make your heart beat at certain times. An EPS may show the cause of your abnormal heartbeats and help your caregiver plan your treatment. An EPS may correct your abnormal heartbeats and relieve your symptoms, such as dizziness and trouble breathing.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• You may have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia medicine used during your procedure. After your procedure, you may have lower back and leg pain. You may have irregular heartbeats that make you dizzy or faint (pass out). You may bleed, have swelling or bruising, or get an infection where the catheter was put in. The catheter may cause nerve damage, or damage to your heart valves.
  
  
• The catheter may cause a fistula (abnormal tissue opening) to your esophagus (food pipe). A fistula can be life-threatening if not fixed right away. You may get an infection in the lining of your heart. Fluid or blood may build up around your heart, making it hard for your heart to beat. You may get blood clots or air in your blood vessels. If a blood clot travels to your lungs, you may have trouble breathing. Blood clots may also travel to your brain and cause a stroke. You could have a heart attack, and you may die.
  
  
• If you do not have an EPS, you may not learn the cause of your abnormal heartbeats. You may not get proper treatment. Your symptoms, such as chest pain and trouble breathing may get worse. You may become weak, have dizziness, and you may faint often. You may get a blood clot in your heart that could travel to your lungs or brain. Abnormal heartbeats can cause your heart to stop, and you could die. Talk with your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your procedure or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG or EKG. Sticky pads placed on your skin record your heart's electrical activity.
  
  
• IV: An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Medicines:
  
  
  • Sedative: This medicine is given to help you stay calm and relaxed.
    
    
  
  
• Anesthesia medicine: Anesthesia medicine is given to keep you comfortable during your procedure. You may need one of the following:
  
  
  • General anesthesia: Caregivers use this medicine to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. They give you anesthesia through your IV or as a gas. You may breathe in the gas through a mask or through a breathing tube placed down your throat. The tube may cause you to have a sore throat when you wake up.
    
    
  • Local anesthesia: This is a shot of numbing medicine put into the skin where the catheter is inserted. You may still feel pressure or pushing during the procedure, but you should not have pain. With local anesthesia, you will be fully awake during the procedure.

During your procedure:

• A catheter with leads (wires) will be put into an artery or vein (blood vessels) in your groin or chest. The groin is the area between your abdomen (stomach) and the top of your leg. The catheter will be moved through your blood vessel into your heart. The leads will be placed in certain areas of your heart.
  
  
• The catheter will record the electrical activity of your heart. Caregivers may send electrical signals through the catheter to make abnormal heartbeats. Caregivers may use the catheter to destroy heart tissue that is causing the abnormal heartbeats. This is called ablation. Once caregivers record enough information from your heart, the catheter is removed. A bandage will cover the area where the catheter was put in to hold pressure and stop any bleeding.

After your procedure:

You are taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is okay. You need to lie still with your leg straight for about two hours. You may need an EKG to check if your heart is beating normally. Caregivers will check for bleeding from the area the catheter was put. When caregivers see that you are not having any problems, you may be able to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you may be taken back to your room.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.