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Electrophysiology Study (EPS) and Catheter Ablation In Atlanta

This detailed examination of the electrical signaling within the heart allows for the precise stimulation of heart regions, as well as offering intervention to deactivate faulty electrical conduction pathways. EPS is recommended for those patients with faulty cardiac electrical conduction that does not respond to medication, especially that leading to ventricular fibrillation. Complete evaluation by EPS with ablation may take several hours, and patients are directed to refrain from eating and drinking beforehand, or driving afterwards.

Similar in setup to other minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedures, patients are sedated and anesthetized as a flexible tube is inserted through a sterilized area in the groin or wrist. Then, the catheter is directed through the veins to the heart, where the electrophysiologist will use X-rays to observe as he or she uses large magnets to guide electrodes at the tip of the device.

Electrical activity can be sensitively measured in all chambers of the heart, current can be applied to probe function, and suspected arrhythmia can be localized and confirmed with proarrhythmic drugs and/or electrical stress.

Once a dysfunctional group of cells is identified, a separate tool in the catheter can be employed to ablate (destroy) only the misfiring tissue using powerfully directed radio waves. Ablation by this method has an extremely high success rate in treating most arrhythmias. Patients may be asked to remain overnight for rest and observation, with some activity generally permitted within 24 hours, and more vigorous activity allowed under the advice of a physician.