What is Electrophysiology and Pacing (EP)?
Electrophysiology means electrical phenomena associated with a physiological process. This is a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of living matter (as organs, tissues or cells) and the physical and chemical phenomena involved.
EP is the study of the heart’s conduction system and it’s effect on heart rhythm.
What Procedures are Performed in the EP Lab?
The procedures performed in the EP Lab fall into the categories listed below:
- Pacemaker implants
- Defibrillator implants
- Laser lead extractions
- Tilt Table Testing
- Ventricular stem testing
- Syncope (3 wire) procedure
- SVT – (Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia)
- RFA – (Radio Frequency Ablation)
- Cryoblation
- Three-Dimensional Mapping
- Intra Cardiac Electrograms (EGM’s)
What Takes Place in the EP Lab?
The Electrophysiologists (specialized cardiologists) and a team of nurses and technologists works with specialized equipment and catheters to perform diagnostic and interventional procedures on patients who have electrical problems with their heart.
What is the Conduction System of the Heart?
The normal beating heart is controlled by an electrical conduction system. The heart’s electrical system is composed of:
SA Node (Sinoatrial): This is the heart’s normal pacemaker and is located at the top of the right atrium. The SA Node sends out an electrical stimulus between 60 and 100 times per minute.
AV Node (Atriventricular): This group of cells is located between the atrium and ventricles and conducts the electrical impulse to the ventricles. It acts as a gate keeper and allows the atria to contract before the following ventricular contraction.
His-Punkinge System: This specialized conduction tract acts like a high speed distributor of the electrical impulse throughout the ventricles, resulting in contraction of the ventricles.