What is the electrophysiological study?
The electrophysiological study is a test whose function is to verify the electrical functioning of the heart or to detect the presence of possible arrhythmias. The test is considered invasive, so the patient, fasting, undergoes local anesthesia and hospitalization.
What does it consist of?
During the test the specialist uses special probes, called electrical wires, which after being introduced into the heart begin to periodically send electrical stimuli, giving rise to small induced arrhythmias to record their effects. After the treatment, the patient is kept under observation and his cardiac activity is recorded through the electrocardiogram.
The electrophysiological study is a test whose function is to verify the heart’s electrical functioning.
Why is it performed?
Electrophysiological testing is primarily used to evaluate the functioning of the heart’s electrical system, but is also useful for investigating the origin of tachycardia and other cardiac disorders such as syncope, i.e., momentary loss of consciousness, lipothymia (fainting) and heart palpitations (perception of irregular heartbeat).
Preparation for the electrophysiological study
Preparation for the test is quite simple. Waxing of the left inguinal and thoracic areas is performed and on the day of the test it is necessary to fast. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and can last between 2 and 3 hours. At the end of the study, the patient remains hospitalized for a maximum of 2 to 3 days, after which he can return to his daily life.
What does the test feel like?
As mentioned above, the test is considered invasive, but is performed under local anesthesia due to the discomfort caused by the induced electrical stimuli. Complications that may occur during electrophysiological examination are very rare, in less than 1% of cases, and are vascular and cardiac complications. In the first case, the vessels through which the probes are introduced are damaged and diseases such as venous thrombosis, hematomas and arteriovenous fistulas may appear. The physician can correct this collateral damage with medication and prescribe bed rest. Cardiac complications, on the other hand, include pericardial hemorrhages, which are resolved by drainage, and malignant ventricular arrhythmias, which require electrical cardioversion surgery.
Significance of abnormal results
If arrhythmias are detected during the examination, if they cannot be eliminated by surgery, the patient will be prescribed pharmacological treatment. If possible, the arrhythmia will be eliminated by transcatheter radiofrequency ablation or pacemaker implantation.