This is the tenth podcast in the What are Palpitations? series and we will be discussing the complications that can occur during or after EP studies. We begin the discussion with an explanation of the types of complications and their treatment. We will end by discussing special EP studies and ablations that may have higher rates of complications and lower success rates.
Chest Radiograph Appearance of Large Pericardial Effusion after Cardiac Perforation. (A) Immediately following the implantation of a pacemaker, the chest x-ray (CXR) shows a normal appearance of the cardiac silhouette. (B) At two weeks postoperative, the CXR (performed because the patient reported symptoms of chest pressure) shows an enlarged cardiac silhouette. The patient responded to pericardiocentesis with no lead repositioning. (Figure originally published by Williams and Stevenson 2012.)
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Postoperative Care after an EP Study (and possible ablation)
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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