Everyone has experienced the sensation of their heart racing or fluttering when elated, anxious, or under stress. But do you know how the heart develops a cardiac rhythm? And what is the study of electrical patterns called?
With an electrical signal that originates in the heart’s sinoatrial node, the heart contracts and expands to pump blood throughout the body. The heart can pump blood because of the electrical impulse that passes through its four chambers. The study of the electrical patterns in the heart is known as electrophysiology.
Want to know more about electrophysiology? Keep scrolling!
Table Of Contents
- What Is Cardiac Electrophysiology?
- Electrophysiology Study
- What Is The Procedure Of Electrophysiology?
- Tips To Follow During The Electrophysiology
- Risks Involved In Electrophysiology
- Other Common Heart Tests
- Expert Advice
- The Final Say
- FAQs
What Is Cardiac Electrophysiology?
Cardiology specialisation focusing on the heart’s electrical circuitry is called cardiac electrophysiology. Cardiovascular electrophysiologists are medical professionals investigating, detecting, and treating cardiac arrhythmias (heart-rhythm disorders).
Various treatments, including medicines, pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators, ablation operations, and other interventions, can be used to address these disorders.
Electrophysiology Study
An electrophysiology (EP) examination, also known as an invasive cardiac electrophysiology test, evaluates your heart’s electrical activity or system and is used to identify irregular heartbeats, heart diseases or arrhythmias.
Catheters are inserted into blood vessels that enter the heart, and wire electrodes, which measure electrical activity, are inserted. For example, your doctor places tiny, thin wire electrodes into a vein in your groin during an EP investigation (or neck, sometimes).
The wire electrodes will subsequently be inserted by him or into the heart through the vein. They use fluoroscopy, a specific X-ray “movie,” to do this. The electrodes measure the electrical signals from the heart once inside.
Moreover, electrical signals are transmitted through the electrodes to the heart’s tissue to create an irregular cardiac rhythm. This is carried out to assess it and identify its root cause. Moreover, it could be carried out to determine the efficacy of a drug.
An electrophysiology or cardiac rhythm specialist may map the dispersion of the heart’s electrical impulses during each beat during the EP scan. In addition, it assists in identifying the cause of an irregular heartbeat may be done.
What Is The Procedure Of Electrophysiology?
In a room with specialised testing equipment, doctors and nurses do an EP study at a hospital or clinic. The test is performed in the following steps.
- A nurse will place an intravenous line (IV) in your arm. Then, you’ll be given medication (a sedative) to help you unwind. Yet, you’ll be alert and able to pay attention during the test.
- Your nurse will clean and shave the area of your body where the doctor will work. Usually in the groin, however, it can also happen in the arm or neck.
- A local anaesthetic will be injected into you to numb the area. Next, the doctor will puncture your blood vessel using a needle through your skin. Finally, your artery or vein will be punctured to implant a tiny sheath-shaped tube.
- The doctor will carefully insert several specialist EP catheters through the sheath before advancing them to your heart. The location of the catheters will be displayed on a video screen. Although the sheath may have caused some pressure in that location, you shouldn’t be in pain.
- To change the rate at which your heart beats, your doctor will inject tiny electric pulses through catheters. As a result, your heartbeat can feel faster or stronger.
- The specialised catheters will detect and record the electrical signals generated by your heart. By using a technique known as cardiac mapping, the doctor can pinpoint the source of an arrhythmia.
- Your doctor will remove the IV line and catheters, and your nurse will apply pressure to the puncture site to stop bleeding.
Additionally, the test typically lasts 1 to 4 hours. Cardiac ablation or the placement of a pacemaker may be done during or right after the EP exam if the type and location of the arrhythmia are determined and appropriate therapy is chosen.
Tips To Follow During The Electrophysiology
Here are a few tips to follow during your electrophysiology.
- Strive to maintain your composure and ease.
- Avoid moving your arms or legs while working in a sterile environment.
- Inform your doctors or nurses immediately if you experience discomfort (chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea).
- You may occasionally use medications to stimulate your arrhythmia.
Other Common Heart Tests
Heart diseases are diagnosed using a variety of tests. Apart from a physical examination, your doctor may enquire about your personal and family medical history. Also, a chest X-ray and blood tests are not the only ways to diagnose heart disease. These tests include
• Heart (cardiac) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Holter monitoring
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Cardiac catheterisation
• Heart (cardiac) CT scan
• Exercise tests or stress tests
Risks Involved In Electrophysiology
The process is relatively safe for the most part. However, some of the most common risks include the following.
• Aberrant heart rhythm
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke
• Damaged heart valves
• Formation of blood clots
• Bruising, bleeding, and infection
Expert’s Advice
Make these five actions into habits to lower your risk of developing heart disease.
• Don’t smoke (or stop if you already do)
• Keep a healthy weight
• Be active
• Eat a healthy diet
• Boost sleep quality
Substantial research provides for the connection between these practices and risk reduction. For example, around 80% of cases of coronary artery disease, 50% of ischemic strokes, 80% of sudden cardiac deaths, and 72% of premature deaths linked to heart disease may be avoided by leading a healthy lifestyle. Put another way, leading a healthy lifestyle is a wise investment in living longer and healthier.
The Final Say
Electrophysiology is a necessary test for the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. It is a safe and effective test that studies the heart’s electrical activity. However, just like any medical procedure, there are possible risks involved.
If you have questions or concerns about electrophysiology, do not hesitate to speak with your healthcare provider. Bansal Hospital Bhopal is one of the best healthcare providers in the town. You may visit its cardiology department for any consultation or treatment.
About Bansal Hospital
Bansal Hospital is a multispeciality hospital and is one of the leading, reputable and reliable healthcare providers trusted by patients and their families across the region. It has all the major departments, including cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, urology, and more. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technology and has a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors and medical staff who provide round-the-clock care to the patient.
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FAQs
The study of the electrical patterns in the heart is known as electrophysiology.
The process of electrophysiology test is reasonably safe for the most part. However, it can involve some risks, like bleeding, infection, heart attack, stroke, etc.
Depending on the situation, it generally takes 2 to 3 hours but can take longer.
This test is, at most parts, safe and does not have side effects, but there can be some risks involved in this procedure.