Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Electrophysiology Study
An electrophysiology (EP) study is a heart test to check how well the heart’s electrical conduction system is working. The electrical conduction system uses electrical signals to make the heart beat. In this study, thin, flexible tubes (catheters) are placed in a large vein in your groin, arm, neck, or chest.
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Dizziness or fainting.
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An abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), such as:
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A fast heartbeat (tachycardia).
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A slow heartbeat (bradycardia).
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An irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation.
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Tell a health care provider about:
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Any allergies you have.
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All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
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Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
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Any blood disorders you have.
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Any surgeries you have had.
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Any medical conditions you have or have had.
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Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
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Tachycardia that does not go away.
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Bleeding or bruising around the insertion site.
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Infection.
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Temporary or permanent problems of the heart rhythm.
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Temporary changes in blood pressure.
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Puncture (perforation) of the heart wall or a blood vessel. This can cause bleeding and pressure between the heart and the sac that surrounds it (cardiac tamponade).
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Severe heart problems, such as:
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Cardiac arrest. This is when the heart stops beating.
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Life-threatening arrhythmia.
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Allergic reactions to medicines or dyes.
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Damage to nearby structures or organs.
What happens before the procedure?
Staying hydrated
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Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
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8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods, such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
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6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
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6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
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2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
Medicines
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Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
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Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
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Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Surgery safety
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How your surgery site will be marked.
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What steps will be taken to help prevent infection. These may include:
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Removing hair at the surgery site.
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Washing skin with a germ-killing soap.
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Taking antibiotic medicine.
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General instructions
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Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco for at least 4 weeks before the procedure. These products include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
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Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
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If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.
What happens during the procedure?
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An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
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You will be given one or more of the following:
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A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
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A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
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A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
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Catheters with an electrode tip will be inserted into a large vein. These electrode tips can measure the heart’s electrical activity. They can also use electrical signals to change the heart rhythm.
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The catheters will be guided to the heart using a type of X-ray machine (fluoroscopy). Once the catheters are in the heart, they will evaluate the electrical activity of your heart.
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If you are awake during the EP study, you may feel dizzy or light-headed. Your heart rate may temporarily increase, or you may feel your heart beating hard. Tell your health care provider if you experience these things during the EP study:
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You feel dizzy or nauseous.
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You have chest pain or pressure.
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The catheters will be removed.
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Firm pressure will be applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding.
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A bandage (dressing) may be applied over the insertion site.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
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Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the hospital or clinic.
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If you were given a sedative during the procedure, it can affect you for several hours. Do not drive or operate machinery until your health care provider says that it is safe.
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You will need to lie flat for a few hours or as told by your health care provider. Keep your legs straight. Do not bend or cross your legs.
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It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.
Summary
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An electrophysiology (EP) study is a heart test to check how well the heart’s electrical system is working.
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This is generally a safe procedure. However, heart problems, infection, puncture of the heart, or bleeding around the insertion site may occur.
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Follow your health care provider’s instructions about eating and drinking restrictions and stopping or changing medicines before the procedure.
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After the procedure, you will need to lie flat for a few hours or as told by your health care provider.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
