Electrophysiological Study (EPS) Turkey
Rhythm disorders in the heart can seriously affect the health and daily life of patients. Some rhythm disorders can cause the heart to enlarge and lose efficiency. As a result, very serious diseases such as heart failure can occur. Rhythm disorders can now be treated with drugs or ablation procedures. The success of these treatments is directly proportional to the accuracy of the diagnostic process. In other words, as in every disease, a successful diagnosis process is one of the most important processes in the treatment of rhythm disorder.
During the diagnosis of rhythm disorder, methods such as ECG and rhythm Holter are generally used. However, these methods may not always be sufficient for a definitive diagnosis. A more detailed examination of the heart may be required to determine the treatment conditions. In this case, advanced diagnostic method known as electrophysiological study is applied. This process is also known as EPS for short.
The transmission of electrical impulses that enable the heart to pump blood can be examined with the electrophysiological study. Rhythm disturbances that occur as a result of not transmitting these warnings properly can be investigated. In the continuation of our article, we will talk about how the electrophysiological study is done and for which diseases it can be done.
You can call us to get detailed information about electrophysiological study in Turkey, You can make an appointment with Associate Professor Dr. Ömer Uz.
What is Electrophysiological Study (EPS)?
Electrophysiological study is an advanced diagnostic procedure used during heart diseases such as arrhythmia.
There is an area in the heart known as the sinus node that is rich in nerve cells. Thanks to the electrical impulses (signals) generated in this region, the heart contracts at regular intervals and pumps blood to the rest of the body. If there is a disruption or problem in the transmission of these signals, the heartbeat begins to become irregular. We know this condition as arrhythmia. Today, it is possible to treat rhythm disorders permanently, to a large extent, with the some procedure such as ablation therapy. However, before this treatment, the source of rhythm disorders should be investigated. If this source cannot be identified in detail and accurately, treatment will not be possible. Electrophysiological study; It is an advanced procedure that provides the opportunity to investigate the electrical impulse network in the heart and the problems that occur in this network. Thus, the treatments needed by the patient can be delivered to the patient in a successful and accurate manner.
Why Electrophysiological Study Is Done?
Electrophysiological study; It is performed to examine the electrical stimulation network in the heart and to detect the problems that occur in this network in detail. Generally speaking, the research possibilities offered by electrophysiological studies can be applied in situations such as:
Rhythm disorders generally characterized by tachycardia (palpitations):
- Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD).
- Ventricular tachycardia (VT).
- Wolff – Parkinson – White Syndrome.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF).
- Atrial Tachycardia (AT).
Rhythm disorders generally characterized by bradycardia (slow heartbeat):
- Sinus Node Dysfunction (Sick Sinus Node)
- Atrioventricular Blocks.
Electrophysiological studies can also be performed on patients who experience fainting (syncope) due to heart problems.
How to Do Electrophysiological Study?
The procedure can also be performed with local anesthesia applied to the groin area. In both cases, patients do not feel pain and discomfort. Electrophysiological study is done from the veins in the groin area of the patient. Special cables called electrodes are transmitted to the heart with the help of these veins. Depending on the type of rhythm disorder, 2 to 4 of the electrodes we mentioned can be used. The thickness of these electrodes is about 1-2 millimeters. So they are pretty thin. The electrical system of the heart is examined with the electrodes. Thus, the problems occurring in the electrical system can be investigated in detail.
If the electrophysiological study is performed for diagnostic purposes only, it will take an average of 45 minutes. If the procedure is accompanied by ablation therapy, this time may vary between 1 and 2 hours. The times we are talking about are estimates, they may vary from person to person according to the transactions.
If the electrophysiological study procedure is not accompanied by ablation therapy, patients can return home after a few hours of hospital supervision. If the procedure is accompanied by ablation therapy, they can be accommodated in the hospital for up to 1 night. For detailed information about ablation treatment and post-ablation treatment; You can review the articles on the menu called Ablation Treatment on our website.
Are There Risks of Electrophysiological Study?
If the electrophysiological study is not performed under appropriate conditions, infection may occur in the application area. Therefore, it is important that the electrophysiological study is carried out by expert teams under ideal conditions. The risks we have mentioned are, in any case, quite low.
