Intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS)

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Electrophysiology study - intracardiac; EPS - intracardiac


What the risks are

The procedure is generally very safe. Possible risks include:

  • Arrhythmias
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots that lead to embolism
  • Cardiac tamponade
  • Heart attack
  • Infection
  • Injury to the vein
  • Low blood pressure

Special considerations

A catheter ablation may be done during EPS to treat the arrhythmia.



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)