Diagnosis and Treatments Options for Rhythm Disorders EP studies
An EP study is a minimally invasive procedure that an electrophysiologist can use to assess the electrical system of the heart. This test helps diagnose the cause of a heart arrhythmia, location of the problem and determine the best treatment available for the patient.
The importance of the flow of electricity
Each heart has it's own normal rhythm brought about by the seamless flow of electrical impulses throughout the organ. This electrical flow begins in the heart's natural "pacemaker" - the sinoatrial node or sinus node - in the upper right heart chamber, the right atrium. The electricity flows through the upper chambers (atria), crosses the bridge between upper and lower chambers (atrioventricular node) and travels to the lower chambers (ventricles). The passage of electricity culminates in a carefully coordinated contraction of heart muscle that pushes blood through the human body. Problems in the precise flow of electricity are the cause of arrhythmias.
Munroe Heart's EP lab has the technology available to perform complex heart ablations using either radiofrequency ablations or CryoAblations. An ablation is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or arrhythmias.
During an EP ablation, a catheter is inserted into a specific area of the heart where special equipment directs energy through the catheter to the areas of the heart muscle causing the abnormal heart rhythm. The device releases energy which blocks the pathway of the abnormal rhythm and returns the heart to a normal rhythm.
Munroe Heart's cardiac electrophysiologist also treats rhythm disorders by implanting rhythm devices, such as pacemakers and internal cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in Munroe's EP lab. These devices help restore a patient's heart to a more regular heart rhythm.