Is an EP study an ablation?

What is an electrophysiology study and catheter ablation? An electrophysiology study is a test to measure the electrical activity of the heart and to diagnose arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythms. Catheter ablation is a procedure performed to treat some types of arrhythmia.

What does EP ablation stand for?

An electrophysiology (EP) study — also called invasive cardiac electrophysiology — is a series of tests that examine your heart’s electrical activity.

What is an EP heart Study?

An electrophysiological study (EP study) is a test used to evaluate your heart’s electrical system and to check for abnormal heart rhythms. Natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart. This helps keep blood flowing the way it should.

Are you awake during an EP study?

You will probably be awake during the procedure. But you might be asleep. The doctor will give you medicines to help you feel relaxed and to numb the areas where the catheters go in. An EP study and ablation can take 2 to 6 hours.

How much does an EP study with ablation cost?

Results: The mean per patient cost of RF ablation was $4067 in the study group. This reduces to $2546 if prior EP study and GA are excluded. The mean per patient cost of continued medical therapy was $700 per year.

How long is an EP study?

An electrophysiology (EP) study is a test performed to determine the cause of abnormal heart rhythm and it usually takes about one to four hours to complete. However, it may take longer if additional treatments such as catheter ablation are performed at the same time by your heart surgeon.

What does an EP study involve?

An electrophysiology (EP) study is a test performed to assess your heart’s electrical system or activity and is used to diagnose abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmia. The test is performed by inserting catheters and then wire electrodes, which measure electrical activity, through blood vessels that enter the heart.

How safe is heart ablation surgery?

Catheter ablation is a safe, effective treatment for AFib and certain other arrhythmias. Although rare, the risks of these procedures include: Bleeding, infection, and/or pain where the catheter was inserted. Blood clots (rare), which can travel to the lungs or brain and cause stroke.

How would you prepare the patient for EPS study and ablation?

Before your electrophysiology (EP) study or catheter ablation procedure, please do the following: Get instructions about the food you may eat. You will be asked not to eat or drink for six to eight hours before the procedure to prevent nausea. Arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from the hospital.

Is there an abnormal response to procainamide?

An abnormal response to procainamide was observed in only 3% of 37 patients with a normal baseline HV (</= ms), in 48% of 27 patients with mild HV prolongation (56 to 70 ms), and in all 15 patients with moderate HV prolongation (<70 ms) (P <0.0001 for the trend).

What is the effect of procainamide on the HV interval?

The effect of intravenous procainamide on the HV interval at electrophysiologic study The His bundle electrogram recorded at electrophysiologic study clearly differentiates atrioventricular (AV) node disease from distal conduction system disease.

When to infuse procainamide in syncope Patients?

This linear response to procainamide and published prospective studies support pacing syncope patients with baseline HV <70 ms. Therefore, procainamide infusion during the electrophysiologic study of patients with undifferentiated syncope should be reserved for those with mild HV prolongation from approximately 55 to 70 ms.

How can procainamide be used to test distal conduction?

The distal conduction system may be tested further by infusing procainamide (10-15 mg/kg) intravenously. High-grade distal AV block or prolongation of the HV interval <80 ms was defined as an abnormal response to this test.