Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology is the study and treatment of the heart’s electrical system. Cardiologists are trained to test for heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) of all types. Some heart rhythm disturbances are relatively minor and need only medication or monitoring. Others are more complex.
Pacemakers help people whose heartbeat is too slow.
Defibrillators can prevent sudden death for those who have conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Conditions Treated by Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Atrial fibrillation
- Atrial flutter
- Bradycardia (heartbeat that is too slow)
- Fainting (syncope)
- Heart failure
- Tachycardia (heartbeat that is too fast)
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Other heart-rhythm disorders
Types of Electrophysiology Treatment Options
Based on the electrophysiology test results, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan that could include:
- Ambulatory monitors
- Biventricular pacemaker/defibrillator implant
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy
- Cardioversion
- Cardioverter-defibrillator implant
- Catheter cardiac ablation
- Device lead extraction
- Electrophysiology study
- Implanted device infection management
- Intracardiac echocardiogram
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (devices that prevent strokes in patients with AFib by closing the left atrial appendage inside the heart)
- Non-invasive programmed electrical stimulation (NIPS)
- Permanent pacemaker implant
- Surgery
- Tilt table test
- Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD)