- Quick Reference Material
- Dedication
- Foreword to second edition
- Foreword to first edition
- Preface to second edition
- Preface to first edition
- Acknowledgements
- Contributors to first edition
- Contributors to second edition
- Symbols and abbreviations
- Amendments and Errata
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Cardiac assessment
- Chapter 3 Cardiac investigations
- Chapter 4 Valvular disease
- Chapter 5 Infective endocarditis
- Chapter 6 Coronary heart disease
- Chapter 7 Acute coronary syndromes
- Chapter 8 Interventional cardiology for coronary heart disease
- Chapter 9 Cardiac surgery
- Chapter 10 Chronic heart failure
- Chapter 11 Bradycardias and blocks
- Chapter 12 Tachycardias
- Chapter 13 Electrophysiology
- Chapter 14 Congenital heart disease and inherited cardiac disorders
- Chapter 15 Cardiomyopathy
- Chapter 16 Other cardiac problems
- Chapter 17 Cardiac rehabilitation
- Chapter 18 Cardiovascular emergencies
- Chapter 19 Cardiovascular drugs
- Appendix 1
- Appendix 2
- Index
(p. 261) Electrophysiology
- Chapter:
- (p. 261) Electrophysiology
- Author(s):
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199651344.003.0013
Electrophysiology (EP) is concerned with electrical problems of the heart. This subspecialty of cardiology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. Electrophysiologists could be described as heart electricians. Electrophysiologists treat patients with slow arrhythmias (bradycardia) and fast arrhythmias (tachycardia). This chapter focuses on tachycardia diagnosis and treatment. Some tachycardias are considered simply a nuisance for the patient while others, specifically ventricular tachycardia, can be lethal. The EP study (EPS) is a powerful diagnostic tool at the electrophysiologist’s disposal. This invasive procedure uses catheters and recording systems to pinpoint the cause of a tachycardia which helps direct treatment. This may involve such measures as medications but in many cases can take the form of ablation. Ablation is a curative form of treatment, similar to an EPS, where the cardiac cells causing the tachycardia are destroyed using heat or cold. This short chapter is intended for cardiac nurses who require a brief introduction to the highly complex specialty of cardiac EP.
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- Quick Reference Material
- Dedication
- Foreword to second edition
- Foreword to first edition
- Preface to second edition
- Preface to first edition
- Acknowledgements
- Contributors to first edition
- Contributors to second edition
- Symbols and abbreviations
- Amendments and Errata
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Cardiac assessment
- Chapter 3 Cardiac investigations
- Chapter 4 Valvular disease
- Chapter 5 Infective endocarditis
- Chapter 6 Coronary heart disease
- Chapter 7 Acute coronary syndromes
- Chapter 8 Interventional cardiology for coronary heart disease
- Chapter 9 Cardiac surgery
- Chapter 10 Chronic heart failure
- Chapter 11 Bradycardias and blocks
- Chapter 12 Tachycardias
- Chapter 13 Electrophysiology
- Chapter 14 Congenital heart disease and inherited cardiac disorders
- Chapter 15 Cardiomyopathy
- Chapter 16 Other cardiac problems
- Chapter 17 Cardiac rehabilitation
- Chapter 18 Cardiovascular emergencies
- Chapter 19 Cardiovascular drugs
- Appendix 1
- Appendix 2
- Index