The impulses coming from the right atrium of the heart, from what we call the sinus node, spread to the ventricles after passing through the atrioventricular node, which is located between the atria and ventricles of the heart. Thus, the electrical impulse produced in the sinus node is transmitted to all heart muscle cells, causing the heart to contract. For many reasons, there may be disruptions in this normal stimulation and conduction system of the heart. Sometimes additional congenital pathways in the heart can affect this stimulation and conduction system, causing rapid heartbeats, a condition called tachycardia. Sometimes, signals originating from any part of the heart and beyond the control of the sinus node can cause tachycardia. Electrophysiological study (EPS) is like cardiac catheterization or coronary angiography. The procedure is done in cath laboratories using x-rays to monitor the position of the catheter within the heart. It usually requires a 1-day hospital stay. However, depending on the situation, the patient can leave on the same day. The doctor should be asked about the use of medications and which medications should be continued. The catheter is usually placed in the right groin, but sometimes more than one catheter is placed depending on the characteristics of the EPS. The process may take from 20-30 minutes to 2-3 hours, depending on the purpose of EPS. Images are recorded while the catheter is in different parts of the heart. With EPS, the function of the heart's electrical system and conduction pathways can be checked, and sometimes electrical stimulation can be given to check whether arrhythmia occurs. Especially in the presence of abnormal conduction pathways or in cases where there are foci that emit abnormal signals, ablation can also be performed simultaneously. With ablation, these areas are eliminated with radiofrequency energy, so diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be performed together.
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