Pacemaker et electrophysiologie

Service de Cardiologie de la Clinique de la Dhuys | 1 rue Pierre et Marie Curie 93170 Bagnolet | France |
Tel: 00 33 1 48 97 50 04

For Patients
- - - -
- - -

Home > For Patients > Everything you need to know on electrophysiological study

Everything you need to know on electrophysiological study

Why do we carry an electrophysiological study?
You have presented symptoms. Your cardiologist or your attending physician has carried a certain number of examinations. In some cases, it might be necessary to go even further, either to confirm a diagnosis or to complete the check-up which has already been carried out.

What is an electrophysiological study?
To give a brief outline, it is the study of the electrical network of the heart done "from the inside". Indeed, the study of "surface" electrocardiograms recordings isn't always sufficient to reach a diagnosis. Going straight to the source often enables to better understand the intimate electrophysiological workings.

How is this examination carried out?
This examination is carried out either in an electrophysiological room, or in an operating room. The patient must have eaten and drunk nothing. The same rules of strict asepsis apply. After a careful anesthesia, usually at the fold of the right groin/ inguinal region, a puncture of the femoral vein is carried out. A small plastic tube, the "désilet", is introduced into the vein. One or several electrophysiological leads are introduced through the "désilet" and repositioned into the heart.

What are we looking for?
- To show electrical conduction disorders, we calculate how long it takes for the electrical current to go from one place of the heart to the other.
- To show a "short-circuit", we stimulate the heart according to certain specific protocols so as to start such or such arrhythmia.

Is it painful?
You will only feel the anesthetic shot. When the lead(s) go(es) through the inferior vena cava, some nerve endings can be stimulated. This can lead to "weird" sensations in the back or the shoulders but it is perfectly normal. During the study, new symptoms can appear or add to the previous symptoms (faintings, palpitations).

What are the complications?
They are rare and most often are limited to a haematoma where the puncture has taken place.

www.dhuys.com GETTING THERE PARTNERS AND LINKS YOUR REACTIONS ON THE WEBSITE