All you need to know about Cardiac Electrophysiology

Mar 16
08:09

2017

Nayana Vasudev

Nayana Vasudev

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

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.

mediaimage

When a person has abnormal heart rhythm,All you need to know about Cardiac Electrophysiology Articles 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.