Electrophysiology Services

Advanced Electrophysiology Lab 

At UMass Memorial Health, we have the most comprehensive arrhythmia program in Central New England and one of the only electrophysiology (EP) labs in the region. Our electrophysiologists (cardiologists with advanced training in arrhythmias) use the latest technology to diagnose, monitor and treat heart rhythm disorders. 

What Is an Electrophysiology Study? 

Electrophysiology is the study of your heart’s electrical system, which controls your heartbeat. An irregular heartbeat is called an arrhythmia. If you have an irregular heartbeat, you may need an electrophysiology study. An EP study helps us find out the cause of the arrhythmia.  

What Happens During an EP Study?

During an EP study, an electrophysiologist: 

• Inserts catheters (thin, flexible tubes) through veins in your upper leg and back
• Threads the catheters and special wires to your heart using imaging guidance
• Sends electrical impulses to your heart to make it speed up or slow down
• Records your heart rhythm to pinpoint the source of irregular electrical impulses

Who Needs an EP Study? 

We may recommend an EP study to:

• Assess your risk for sudden cardiac death
• Determine whether you would benefit from a heart ablation procedure
• Diagnose a heart rhythm problem
• Evaluate you for an implantable device (pacemaker or defibrillator)
• Find out if an arrhythmia medication is working

Treatment in Our EP Lab

After your EP study, your doctor discusses treatment options with you. In some cases, we treat the arrhythmia at the same time as your EP study so you don’t need two procedures. We offer: 

• Catheter ablation: Electrophysiologists use catheters and heat, cold or electrical energy to destroy cells causing an irregular heartbeat.
• Cardioversion: We deliver electrical shocks through electrodes on your chest to “reset” your heart rhythm to a normal pace.
• Implantable devices: Electrophysiologists use minimally invasive procedures to implant the latest pacemakers and defibrillators to monitor and treat arrhythmias.