What is the EP (Electrophysiological) study?
An electrophysiology study (EP study) is a test used to evaluate the heart's electrical system and detect abnormal heart rhythms. The heart's electrical system produces signals (impulses) that control the timing of the heartbeat. During an EP study, doctors can create a very detailed view of how these signals move between each heartbeat by inserting a thin tube called a catheter into a blood vessel. For this process, a specialised electrode catheter is designed that sends electrical signals to the heart and records its electrical activity.
Purpose of the EP Study
- Diagnose the source of arrhythmia symptoms
- Assess the effectiveness of certain medications used to control HRD
- Predict the risk of a future cardiac event (sudden cardiac arrest)
- Check the need for artificial pacemakers or other treatments (such as radiofrequency ablation)
- To find the source of a heart rhythm problem perform an ablation once the source is identified
- To see how well medications given to treat a rhythm problem are working
- Rapid pulse is known as tachycardia.
- Sluggish heartbeat is known as bradycardia.

Some people need a biventricular Electrophysiological, also known as bivent Electrophysiological. If you have serious heart disease, you may need a bivent.