Electrophysiology Study

Catholic Health Electrophysiology Heart Test

An electrophysiology (EP) study is a test in which wire electrodes are placed within the heart to record the electrical activity and the electrical pathways of your heart. This test is used to determine the cause of a heart rhythm disturbance, or heart arrhythmia.

Catheters are inserted into a blood vessel in your wrist or groin and guided to your heart with the aid of a special X-ray machine. The electrode catheters used during the EP study are long, flexible wires that carry electrical impulses to and from the heart. These electrode catheters record the electrical signals generated by the heart and pace the heart. By recording and pacing from strategic locations within the heart, the cardiologist is able use this controlled environment to locate and diagnose the cause of the arrhythmia.