An EPS is a specialised test that looks closely at the electrical system of your heart. It helps your cardiologist understand the cause of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), often related to fast heart rhythms.
This test can confirm a diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, or determine whether you may benefit from procedures like ablation, a pacemaker, or an implantable defibrillator (ICD).
You will be monitored for a few hours in recovery. Most patients go home the same day, though some may stay overnight depending on the complexity of the study or if additional treatment is performed.
You will need a family member or friend to drive you home and stay with you overnight. Avoid strenuous activity for a few days and follow your cardiologists’ instructions about medications and wound care.
Your cardiologist will discuss the results with you and recommend the next steps, which may include medication, further testing, or a follow-up procedure.
Thin wires (called catheters) will be inserted through a vein in your groin and guided into your heart. Using X-ray imaging, your doctor will position the wires to record your heart’s electrical signals. In most cases, your cardiologist may try to trigger an arrhythmia during the test to better understand its cause and behaviour.
There is also support available from specialised mapping systems to help with understanding the mechanisms of the rhythm problems. These maps and recordings help identify where abnormal rhythms are coming from and how best they can be treated with ablation in the appropriate circumstances.
