Electrophysiology

Cardiac electrophysiology (EP) is the study of the electrical system of the heart. Electrical currents, in the form of chemical ions, flow across the membrane of each cell causing voltage surges that set the heart in motion. When these electric signals are disrupted, and the heart contraction is not uniform, we have an abnormal heartbeat or arrhythmia.

When the heart beats abnormally, its efficiency decreases, and its capacity to pump blood is reduced. Extreme arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) within the heart can lead to sudden death.

Cardiac Electrophysiology is a specialized procedure in which one or more, thin flexible wires called catheters are inserted into a blood vessel (usually the groin) and guided into the heart. Each catheter has two or more electrodes to measure the heart's electrical signals as they travel from one chamber to another.

EPs perform interventional (nonsurgical) procedures such as cardiac ablation to cure arrhythmias. They also treat patients who need implantable devices to regulate their heartbeat. These devices include pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

• Pacemakers help people whose heartbeat is too slow.
• Defibrillatorscan prevent sudden death for those who have conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Conditions that can be treated with Cardiac Electrophysiology:

The cardiac electrophysiology test is used by the doctors to monitor and treat a spectrum of arrhythmias conditions such as:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Brady Arrhythmia
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
• Supraventricular tachycardia
• Syncope
• Ventricular arrhythmias
• Cardiac arrest/Sudden cardiac death
• Familial arrhythmia syndromes
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation

Electrophysiology Treatments:

Cardiac electrophysiology experts at AIG Hospitals provide a full range of services and treatment options includes:

• Medications
• Risk identification and therapy to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias
• Pacemakers and defibrillators
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Clinical electrophysiology
• Non-invasive electrophysiology