Electrophysiology Studies

Some arrhythmias can be studied by placing small wires temporarily into the heart to induce and study them. The electrophysiologist uses X-rays to position the wires, and electrical signals from the tips of the wires to study the arrhythmias. Electrophysiology studies can take between one to six hours to perform. They can take longer if the arrhythmias are complex, or are difficult to ablate. After the electrophysiology study, the patient lays flat for between 4-6 hours, and most times get to go home on the same day. Rare risks to an electrophysiology study include cardiac perforation, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and very rarely, death.