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What can happen when there is an abnormality in the electrical system of my heart? |
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Sometimes the electrical conduction system in the heart travels in a different direction, due to extra electrical connections, known as “pathways”, or due to extra electrical cells within the heart. Often these pathways are present at birth, but may only start to work in adulthood. When the heart has an extra beat (an ectopic), it can travel down the pathway and travel up the normal conduction system. If this continues, palpitations can start. This means that the heart suddenly starts to race, causing an awareness of a fast heartbeat. If the abnormal heart rhythm is arising from the upper chambers of the heart, this is known as SVT, or supra-ventricular tachycardia. This type of heart rhythm disturbance is not life threatening, but can cause unpleasant symptoms and interfere with your quality of life. If the abnormal heart rhythm comes form the lower, pumping chambers of the heart (the ventricles), it can be dangerous, particularly if it is associated with fainting. These heart rhythm disturbances can be treated in a variety of ways and your doctor will discuss treatment options with you once he/she has performed your electrophysiology study. |
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What does the procedure involve? |
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Before the study is performed you may be asked to stop taking some of our medications for a few days prior to the procedure. Your doctor/nurse will advise you about this. You will also have some routine tests such as blood sampling and a physical examination. Your doctor/nurse will visit you to discuss details of the procedure and any risks/benefi ts that may be associated with it. You will be given the opportunity to ask questions before you sign a consent form for the procedure. Your electrophysiology study will be performed in a Cardiac catheter laboratory, a room which is similar to an operating theatre. There will be a team of people present, some of whom you may have met before. |
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The doctor, or Electrophysiologist, will carry out the procedure with the helpof a physiologist, who gives technical support, nurses, who will look after you and assist the doctor and a radiographer who will assist with the x-ray equipment. |
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An electrophysiology study is a minimally invasive procedure, which is usually performed using local anaesthetic. You may also be given some sedation,which makes you feel relaxed and sleepy. During the study you will be required to lie flat and the local anaesthetic will be administered to your right groin and possibly in the side of your neck. Some fine tubes will then be inserted into the blood vessel at the top of the right leg, and sometimes under the collarbone via your neck. Fine wires or catheters are then passed through the tubes and positioned within the heart. This is done with the guidance of an x-ray machine therefore it is important that you tell your nurse/doctor before the procedure if you think you may be pregnant. |
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Typical Placement of EP diagnostic catheters |
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Once the wires are positioned within the heart the doctor is able to record electrical activity from specific areas of your heart. Extra beats are also delivered using an external pacemaker, which may bring on your palpitations. This is necessary to see where the heart rhythm is coming from. It is possible to put the heart back into normal rhythm within a few seconds, by delivering some extra beats. The procedure should enable the doctor to detect any abnormalities in the electrical system of your heart. The procedure normally takes approximately 45-60 minutes. Once the procedure is over, the wires and tubes will be removed and the nurse/doctor will apply some light pressure over these areas for a few minutes to stop any bleeding. You will then be transferred back to the ward where you will be asked to rest in bed for 2-4 hours. |
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What are the risks associated with the procedure? |
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The benefit of having an electrophysiology study is that it can enable your doctor to determine the cause of any abnormal heart rhythms and assist them in making decisions in relation to your future treatment (if required). There is no procedure in medicine with zero risk and an electrophysiology study is no exception. The risk of any serious complications occurring during the study is less than 1%. Your doctor/nurse will discuss this with you in more detail before the procedure is performed. |
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UPDATES 11/02/08 01/02/2008 24/01/2007 15/01/2007: 27/11/2007 20/11/2007 05/11/2007: 25/10/2007: |
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