Diagnose & Treat Heart Problems with an Electrophysiology Study in Las Vegas, NV

Electrophysiology studies (EP studies), or electrophysiology procedures, are used to diagnose and correct conditions that cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), including rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and AFib (atrial fibrillation). The goal of these procedures is to reduce the risk of arrhythmia complications, such as blood clots, and restore a normal heart rhythm. Your doctor may refer you to a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist if you have signs of a heart condition or abnormal heart rhythms.

Find a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals who specializes in electrophysiology study in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. Use our online tool to Find a Doctor or call (702) 616-4900.

 

What to Expect During & After an EP Study

Electrophysiology studies are typically performed in a Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospital. Depending on the type of procedure, you may receive sedation to make you relax or sleep during the study. Sometimes you can go home the same day, or you may be required to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring. Electrophysiology procedures are generally considered low risk.

Most people recover quickly after an electrophysiology procedure. Some studies may cause discomfort or aching in your chest for several days. If a catheter (thin tube) was used, you may have a surgical incision.

Your heart may continue to beat abnormally, especially during exercise and other activities that raise your heart rate. Your doctor will tell you more about what to expect after your electrophysiology procedure, including when you can return to normal activity levels. 

Electrophysiology has the potential to permanently resolve heart rhythm problems such as AFib. This may help reduce your risk of a complications, improve your quality of life, and reduce symptoms.

 

Electrophysiology Procedures Performed at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

Electrical impulses tell the chambers of your heart to beat (contact) in a specific sequence — this is called your heart rhythm. If the cells of your heart send too many electrical impulses, your heart will beat too fast or in a random way (erratically). Electrophysiology procedures treat and sometimes cure these types of heart rhythm changes. 

The four major types of electrophysiology procedures are:

  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), a test that uses sound waves to produce an image of your heart as it beats
  • Cardioversion, a procedure in which your heart gets mild shocks from an external device to return your heartbeat to normal
  • Radiofrequency ablation, uses heat to selectively eliminate heart cells that are sending irregular electrical signals
  • Pacemaker, an implanted device that delivers electrical impulses to regulate your heart rhythm

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican cardiologists offer diagnostic and interventional procedures, such as electrophysiology study, in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.