Electrophysiology

An Electrophysiology Study (EPS) is a test to check the electrical activity in your heart. Your heart beats because of electricity that moves along a path in your heart. A large catheter is put into an artery or vein. The artery or vein may be in your arm, in your neck, or in your groin. The groin is the area between your abdomen and the top of your leg.

Using a TV screen and x-rays, the catheter is gently guided into your heart. Smaller pacemaker wires are put through the large catheter and guided to different areas inside your heart. Your caregiver will send electrical signals through the pacemaker catheters to check for problems. Some problems can be treated during the test.

The following are some reasons you may need an EPS:

• Fainting.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Very fast or very slow heartbeat.
• To check your heart after a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
• To check to see how medicines for irregular heartbeats are working.
• To check your heart before and after you get a pacemaker.
• To check your heart before and after you get a defibrillator.

Care Agreement:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks:
Most people do not have problems with electrophysiologic studies. There are risks, such as making a hole in an artery or vein with the catheter. You may need surgery right away to fix the hole. You may have irregular heartbeats that make you feel dizzy or faint. Your heart may stop or you could have a heart attack. Blood clots may go to your lungs or brain and cause a stroke. Clots may go to your arm or leg, stop the blood flow, and cause pain. Caregivers will watch you closely for these problems.

If you don't have an electrophysiologic study your health condition could get worse. You may have irregular heartbeats that cause you to faint. You may have irregular heartbeats that cause your heart to stop and you could die. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

Treatment:
What Will Happen:

• You may be given medicine in your IV to help you relax or make you drowsy. You will be taken on a stretcher to the room where the EPS will be done. You will get medicine called local anesthesia that will numb the area where the catheter will go in.
• A catheter will be put into an artery or vein in your arm, neck or groin. The groin is the area between your abdomen and the top of your leg. Smaller pacemaker catheters will go through the first catheter into your heart. Your caregivers will send electrical signals through the pacemaker catheters to check your heart. The procedure may last 2 to 4 hours.

After The Procedure: You will be taken back to your room or to a recovery area. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. Caregivers will take your vital signs often.

Waiting Room: This is where your family can wait until you are ready for visitors after the procedure. Your doctor or nurse can then find them to let them know how the procedure went. If your family leaves the hospital, ask them to leave a phone number where they can be reached. When it is time for you to go home after the procedure, someone should drive you home. Do not drive home alone.

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