electrophysiology?

Question

I have been scheduled for an EPS next week, i'm terrified because one of the risk, although very rare, is stroke or even death!! has anyone ever had this done, and how much should i worry?

Answer 1

I had a EPS in October of 2005. I was terrified, but would do it over again in a minute. They corrected my heartbeat and wow, what a difference it has made in my life.
The doctor cured my AV node re entry, and after being in the ER for about 5 times in a year, it made a big difference.
No, dont worry, Your getting high technology at its best.
Go for it. You will be fine.

Answer 2

The post above is a very good one. I work in an EPS lab, and those complications are extremely rare, and usually happens to those with other more severe systemic disease.
Many people have this done.
In my personal experience, I have never been involved in a case which resulted in either stroke or death. Unlike cardiac catheterization, EPS is done from the venous side of the heart, not the arterial side, so the risk of stroke is very low. And although the test sounds scary, it is done under very controlled circumstances. You are monitored constantly, and treated immediately if any arrhythmia is started.
You might find some useful information at the Heart Rhythm Society website.
Best of luck to you. :o)

Answer 3

I don't perform these studies, but I've seen them done, and although there is risk, as for all procedures, they tend to be very safe procedures. Your electrophysiologist can give you numbers, but think about it this way, every time you cross the street, every time you drive, there's a risk you may be injured or killed in an accident, but you do it anyway because the benefit (being able to get where you're going) outweighs the risk. It's the same here, every time we (as doctors) do any procedure, we look at the risk and benefit, and we try never to do any procedure where the potential risk is greater than the benefit it can provide.

Answer 4

I've seen several of these procedures. As with anything medical ,there are risks that can occur. Talk with your doctor and the EP staff prior to your procedure. You will be surprised at how easy the test is and the low number of any type of incidents that occur.