Electrophysiology Procedure: Why It Is Done, Risks, Preparation

Interventional electrophysiology is a relatively new, catheter-based, non-surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat many types of heart rhythm disorders. It tests how well the heart responds to mild electrical stimulation. Interventional electrophysiology is performed on patients who have symptoms like the following.

Reasons Patients Need Interventional Electrophysiology

Doctors may recommend electrophysiology for patients with symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). If you have been diagnosed with an irregular or rapid heartbeat, such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or another type of tachycardia, your doctor may perform an electrophysiology procedure to decide the best treatment.

Also, if you suddenly lose consciousness, such as fainting, or syncope, an EP study can help find the cause. People with this kind of arrhythmia are also at risk of sudden cardiac death. If a patient has certain heart conditions, a doctor may recommend electrophysiology to better understand the risk of sudden cardiac death.

Beyond that, cardiac ablation, which uses heat or cold energy, can be applied to correct heart rhythm problems. An electrophysiology procedure is always done by the doctor before cardiac ablation, to pinpoint the area where the heart rhythm is abnormal.

Risks of the Electrophysiology Procedure

Like most tests and procedures, interventional electrophysiology carries risks. Some can be serious, depending on the type of arrhythmia and the patient's condition. It can cause bleeding or infection, and bleeding around the heart caused by damage (perforation) to heart tissue.

Other possible risks include damage to the heart valves or blood vessels, damage to the heart's electrical system, and blood clots in your legs or lungs. So before the procedure, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks to understand whether this method is right for you.

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How Patients Should Prepare

Before the procedure, patients are advised not to eat or drink after midnight. If you take medication, ask your doctor whether you may take it even before the procedure. A doctor or nurse will tell you if there are other special instructions to follow before or after the procedure.

The procedure is done in a hospital, with an IV line placed in your hand or arm. Monitors (electrodes) will be placed on your chest to check your heartbeat during the test. Before the procedure starts, the patient receives a sedative through the IV to help them relax. Sometimes general anesthesia is also used during interventional electrophysiology.

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This procedure is carried out to diagnose arrhythmia and to decide the next steps for the patient. Left alone and not treated promptly, it can be fatal. So get a thorough examination at the Heartology clinic to receive proper treatment.

Read Dr. Sunu Raharjo's full profile here: heartology.id/dr-sunu-raharjo