Electrophysiology (EP) Cardiology
Kaweah Health's Cardiovascular Center is one of the few hospitals in the Central Valley that have a highly trained and experienced EP team with a dedicated cath lab specially equipped with advanced monitoring equipment and 3-D electroanatomical navigation. What this means for patients in the Central Valley is local access to cutting-edge clinical technology in cardiac care.
What is Electrophysiology Cardiology?
It's the study of the heart's electrical system. The term "EP study" applies to any procedure that includes the insertion of an electrode catheter into the heart. Electrode catheters are long, flexible wires that transmit electrical currents to and from the heart. Some EP studies are done to diagnose abnormalities, while others are done to access the heart for treatment of the problem.
Common EP Procedures include:
- Diagnostic EP study
- Cardiac Ablation
- Implantable Defibrillator (ICD)
- Permanent Pacemaker
- Event Recorder
Who needs an EP procedure?
Someone who has an abnormal heart rhythm – a heart that beats too slowly, too rapidly, or in an irregular pattern would be a good candidate for an EP procedure. Having an irregular heart rhythm diminishes the pumping power of the heart and results in poor circulation. When the body is not getting the oxygen it needs, a person experiences shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, and other symptoms. From catheter ablations to working with patients who have pacemakers and defibrillators, an Electrophysiologist works as an "electrician of the heart," to correct hearts that beat too slow or too fast.
Technology
In 2008, Kaweah Health expanded the cardiac catheterization lab from four to five rooms, dedicating an electrophysiology lab for procedures focusing on the electricity of the heart. The new EP lab is dedicated to cardiac ablation, pacemaker insertion and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator devices.
