CRT-T and EP study

Electrophysiology Study (EP Study)

by Gemita - 2022-01-13 10:21:41

A defibrillator only functions (shocks) when it needs to treat a life threatening heart rhythm disturbance. During an EP study your team will be able to manage any onset of a fast or dangerous arrhythmia with IV meds/pacing/cardioversion, so you will be perfectly safe however they decide to manage your CRT-D pacemaker settings during the Study.  What is your particular concern?  You haven’t given us any information about yourself.

I had an EP study before my pacemaker implant and they were able to control many of my arrhythmias with pacing or IV medication.  They also carried out three cardioversions (shocks) in an attempt to try to stop my Atrial Fibrillation/SVT.  When this did not succeed, they gave me IV Flecainide (an anti arrhythmic medication) which did successfully treat my arrhythmias.  Often during an EP Study they may also gain useful information on which medication/dosage is likely to help treat an individual patient.  They may also carry out an ablation at the same time, although I hadn't consented to one prior to my Study.

I requested heavy sedation for the duration of the Study.  The most uncomfortable part was initial femoral vein access and then post procedure groin pain/troublesome bruising but this eventually cleared.

The EP Study will give your doctors a lot of detail about your arrhythmias, like from where they originate, so hope it goes very well. 

CRT-D and EP Study

by Julros - 2022-01-13 12:48:22

Yes, they will switch off the defibrillator on your pacer during the procedure, but they apply external pads so that they can debrillate if necessary. They do not want your device to discharge mid-procedure, not do they want to be in contact with you if it should. 

EP Study

by TAC - 2022-01-15 16:59:35

Hello STILLME, you're saying that you had a PM with a defibrillator implanted because of suffering ventricular tachycardia while in the hospital. I assume that you're afraid that the defibrillator might be disconnected during the EP study, leaving you exposed to having another episode of ventricular tach, that could lead to ventricular fibrillation. Your concern is justifiable because venticular fib is indeed lethal. You should rest assured that the electrophysiologist won't expose you to such risk. Most likely your defibrillator will be inactivated to prevent an accidental discharge. However, they will keep an external defibrillator ready in case defibrillation is needed at any time. So, you will be protected. You need not to worry.