The Electrophysiology Study and Ablation Procedure

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This is the ninth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and it focuses on the preparations necessary before proceeding with an electrophysiology study including elements of the preoperative workup. We will discuss the electrophysiology laboratory where the procedure is performed and steps involved in performing the procedure. We’ll talk about what happens if your doctor cannot find or ablate the arrhythmia as well as postoperative care. Finally, we will discuss advanced treatment options for atrial fibrillation. A brief outline includes:

  1. Preoperative risk assessment
  2. Use of contrast agents during EP studies or ablations
  3. Thyroid issues
  4. Allergies
  5. Registration and check-in
  6. Informed-consent process
  7. The procedure room
  8. The EP study
  9. How does the doctor place catheters inside the heart?
  10. What happens if my doctor cannot successfully find an arrhythmia?
  11. What happens if my doctor cannot successfully ablate the arrhythmia?
  12. Immediately after the EP study
  13. Day after the EP study
  14. Advanced treatment options for atrial fibrillation

Please check back with the Heart Rhythm Center for future podcasts:

Possible Complications of Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations
Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
Psychosocial Impact of Arrhythmias

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Published by Heart Rhythm Center

Dr. Williams obtained his undergraduate degree with a double major in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He was then awarded a Keck Fellowship for graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh where he obtained his Master’s degree in Bioengineering. Dr. Williams went on to obtain his medical degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia and completed 5 years of Fellowship training in both Cardiovascular Diseases and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His unique background and extensive knowledge of both engineering and cardiology have earned Dr. Williams many accolades in both clinical and academic settings. He’s published over 20 manuscripts and abstracts in the field of cardiology/electrophysiology and has received awards from both the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Williams started in the Invasive Electrophysiology Laboratory at The Good Samaritan Hospital in 2008 and the Heart Rhythm Center published outcomes on pacemaker and defibrillator implantations as well as the safety and efficacy of high frequency jet ventilation during EP studies with ablation under his direction. He is Chair of the Quality Committee at the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology.

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