Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS)

Table of Contents


How to prepare for the test

Test preparations are similar to those for a cardiac catheterization. Food and fluid will be restricted for 6 - 8 hours before the test. The procedure will take place in a hospital, and you will wear hospital clothing. You must sign a consent form for the procedure.

Your health care provider will give you instructions regarding any changes to your normal medications. Do not stop taking or change any medications without consulting your health care provider.

A mild sedative is usually given 30 minutes before the procedure. You may not be able to drive home yourself if you are discharged the same day.


How the test will feel

During the test, you will be awake and able to follow instructions.

A simple EPS generally lasts from 20 minutes to 1 hour. It may take longer if other procedures are involved.


Why the test is performed

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Information from this study helps your doctor determine the severity of the arrhythmia as well as the best treatment. Before this test is done, your cardiologist may have tried other, less invasive tests such as ambulatory cardiac monitoring.

An EPS may be done to:

  • Pinpoint a known arrhythmia that is beginning in the heart and help decide the best therapy
  • Determine whether you are at risk for future heart events, especially sudden cardiac death
  • See if medicine is controlling an abnormal heart rhythm
  • Evaluate the need for a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

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Review Date: 06/01/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Director, Northwestern Clinic Echocardiography Lab, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)