Electrophysiology Study and Ablation

Electrophysiology(or "EPS") study is a procedure used to analyze the electrical system of the heart. In this procedure, catheters are inserted into the heart via a vein in the groin. Unlike cardiac catheterization, in which catheters are inserted into the artery, catheters in an EP study generally are inserted only into the vein. No X-Ray contrast dye is used during an EP study.

During the EPS, doctors insert special electrode catheters (soft wires) into large veins in your groin. These catheters follow the vein all the way into the heart. Once inside the heart, the doctors are able to study the abnormal heart beats or rhythms. An abnormal heart rhythm is also called an arrhythmia.

EPS is performed for a variety of disorders of the electrical system of the heart. These disorders range from minor palpitations to sudden death. EPS is often times life saving in that the procedure can detect an arrhythmia prior to it ever having affected the patient and thus allow doctors to take steps proactively to avoid sudden death. Many patients who undergo EPS have curable arrhythmias and are candidates for radiofrequency catheter ablation.