What is an electrophysiology lab?
An electrophysiology lab is where procedures are performed to correct heart rhythm disorders.
Heart rhythm disorders come in two main varieties, fast and slow. Either of these arrhythmias can be tested for with a procedure called an electrophysiologic study (EP Study). This involves putting small tubes into the heart (catheters) that can record electrical signals in the heart. They also allow for stimulation of the heart to see if arrhythmias can be induced. Depending on the findings of the EP study, your physician may recommend treatment with an implantable device (loop recorder, pacemaker, or defibrillator) or catheter ablation.
Catheter ablation is a procedure which involves cauterizing or freezing abnormal parts of the heart that allow fast heart rhythms to continue. Arrhythmias that can be readily treated with catheter ablation include (but are not limited to) atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.
Should you have a slow rhythm, devices such as pacemakers can be implanted into the heart to help the heart go faster. At Mather, novel pacing technology is readily available including leadless pacemakers (where the entire pacemaker sits in the heart) and conduction system pacing (specialized pacing to help the heart beat more efficiently).
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators can also be implanted in patients who are considered to be high risk for developing cardiac arrest. These are often implanted in patients who have a history of heart failure.
At Mather, there is a strong commitment to providing the safest and best treatment for cardiac conditions. The efficacy of treatment is only amplified by access to top notch tertiary and quaternary care centers throughout the Northwell network.