Electrophysiology Services

Electrophysiology (EP) is the study that measures electrical impulses of the heart. Disorder testing is very important in the field of cardiology, as it uses methods such an EP study, which uses technology to detect disorders such as arrhythmias Occurs when there is a problem that causes an abnormal rhythm of the heart muscle. and your risk of a heart attack Occurs when the circulation of blood to the heart is restricted due to clogged blood vessels from abnormal tissue that may have formed inside the heart.

Electrophysiologists are cardiologists with advanced education and training that allows specific diagnosis and additional treatment of abnormal heart rhythms.

At Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, Illinois, we have an esteemed team of professionals and an advanced medical facility that allows us to provide outstanding care to our patients. Our team of highly respected doctors routinely performs heart disorder testing with the use of electrophysiology, or EP studies.

Common Electrophysiology (EP) and Heart Disorder Signs & Symptoms

• Fainting Spells
• Shortness of Breath
• Palpitations
• Chest Pain  

Heart Disorder Testing: What Can You Expect During Your Electrophysiology (EP) Study?

During heart disorder testing, your cardiologist will insert a number of electrode catheters, which are long flexible tubes with wires, into your heart. A disorder will be detected by catheters which will read the path of the electrical signals going through your heart and record any blocks or disruptions.

This electrophysiology procedure can help your cardiologist determine if your arrhythmia Occurs when there is a problem that causes an abnormal rhythm of the heart muscle. can be treated with medicine or another medical procedure. These procedures could include the insertion of a pacemaker Implanted devices that monitor and regulate slow heartbeats or defibrillator Implanted devices that control irregular heartbeats by delivering electrical shocks to return the heart’s rhythm to a normal pace or a radiofrequency ablation A nonsurgical procedure to correct rapid heartbeats with radiofrequency energy to destroy abnormal heart tissue procedure.

How Should I Prepare for my Heart Disorder Testing and EP Study?

• Be sure to tell your doctor what medications you are currently taking, as you may have to stop your regimen before the EP study
• Do not eat or drink after midnight on the evening before the electrophysiology study (if you are allowed to take medicine, do so only with a small sip of water)
• Leave all jewelry or valuables at home and wear comfortable clothes to the hospital
• You will receive an IV for fluids and for drugs that will make you drowsy, but you will not be put to sleep during the procedure
• This IV will be placed into your groin area after it is cleaned and prepared. Once the IV is in place, the electrode catheters through the IVs and into your body from one access point and will detect a potential heart disorder.
• This study will take between 20 minutes to one hour to perform; it can take longer if another medical procedure is performed, such as an ablationA nonsurgical procedure to correct rapid heartbeats with radiofrequency energy to destroy abnormal heart tissue, upon reviewing the results of your study
• Depending on your EP procedure, you may be able to go home shortly afterwards, so it is important to bring a friend or family member to return you back at home

While this study may sound a little intimidating, you can rest assured that the esteemed group of doctors and nurses at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital are more than happy to answer all your questions and make your visit comfortable.

Want to Learn More?
For more information on electrophysiology and heart rhythm disorders, place your cursor over a term below for a brief description:

Atrial FibrillationA rapid, irregular heartbeat; heart can beat as often as 300 times per minute
Atrial FlutterSimilar to atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly and out of sync with the lower chambers of the heart
ArrhythmiasOccurs when there is a problem that causes an abnormal rhythm of the heart muscle.
Heart BlockWhen electrical signals between the atria and ventricles are blocked, this causes the speed of the heart muscle contractions to become slower
Defibrillator ImplantationImplanted devices that control irregular heartbeats by delivering electrical shocks to return the heart’s rhythm to a normal pace
Long QT Syndrome (LQTS)An irregularity when heart muscle cells take longer to recover after each heartbeat
PacemakersImplanted devices that monitor and regulate slow heartbeats
Radiofrequency AblationA nonsurgical procedure to correct rapid heartbeats with radiofrequency energy to destroy abnormal heart tissue
Sick Sinus SyndromeA group of symptoms that indicate the small cluster of cells in the heart’s atrium are not functioning correctly; this cluster of cells is called the sinoatria (or SA)
Sinus TachycardiaAn expected and normal increase in heart rate experienced with exercise, fever or excitement
Sudden Cardiac ArrestWhen the heart unexpectedly ceases to function; usually caused by an arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular FibrillationThe cause of sudden cardiac arrest, identified by a rapid and irregular heartbeat causing the lower heart ventricles to spasm. VF is not the same as a heart attack, but a heart attack can lead to VF
Ventricular TachycardiaA very fast heart rate, typically seen in people with normal hearts; can be treated with radiofrequency ablation or defibrillator implantation