PM

did any of you guys have a EP Study prior to having a PM implanted? If so please respond and If not you still can respond Thanks....

6 Comments

I didn't

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-14 01:04:59

My problem was obvious on an ECG so no need for EP study. I think you will find that true of most of us.

An EP study is more common with arrythmias like afib where they need to know more about the mechanism.

frank

Maybe? ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-04-14 02:04:04

Well, maybe so, maybe not. I have A-fib. Have had for years.

What did the EP Study entail? What did they do? What was the procedure? How did they do the Study?

I have had an ablation/PM implanted on 10/09. I still have A-fib, I am told by the tech.

Be interested in the above questions. Maybe I have; maybe not ~

Caroly G. in TEXAS ~ Let the Oak tree pollen blow ~

EP before PM

by Chrissie2116 - 2010-04-14 02:04:30

Hi, I had an EP study before m'y PM implant. They needed to check the electric circuit of my heart to be sure the PM would be the right solution for my arythmia: I was passing out 93 times a day and especially 15 times within 24 hours with loose of conscience for approx 4 seconds.
What would you like to know about it ?
All the best to you.
Wishing you a nice day,
take care,
Chrissie

No I didn't but....

by Hoosier - 2010-04-14 08:04:59

my implant was on 2-10-10 and my insurance is still balking at paying my bill. I had my first opinion, the EP doctor said that he had enough evidence for PM need from EKG and that an EP study (catherization) carried more risk with evidence on hand.

I had a second opinion, same outcome so had the implant. Now my wonderful insurance company (part of name is the team color for the Indy Colts) is paying $27,000 of the $40,000 bill but refusing to pay $4000 to the hospital and $4000 to the surgeon because of "medically unnecessary" diagnosis of sinoatrial node disfunction.

I don't know if the EP study would have made a difference or not to the insurance but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

an EP study is...

by JessiWay - 2010-04-14 11:04:18

An EP study is an electrophysiology study...they put catheters up through the blood vessel in either the neck or groin area...they sometimes sedate you & always use local anaesthetic at the area they go in. Some people are awake during it & some sleep. It doesn't hurt, but it can be tender afterward where they put the catheters in. You have to lie still for a few hours after the procedure is done so the areas they went into with the catheters have a chance to clot.They use a fluoroscope, which is a tiny recorder that shows them what they need to see. Once the catheter gets to the heart electrodes on the end of it take measurements which tell the doctors the location of areas that have electrical abnormalities. Once they find the problem area they can "ablate" it, using radio frequency or cold. I think they can also administer medication using the catheters. They can often times fix arrhythmia's this way & return heart rhythms to normal. Sometimes it is used for diagnostic purposes only.

I had an EP study in 2001 and them a PM in 1010...when my EP study was done they discovered that the majority of my heart problems could be fixed using a catheter ablation. It bought me 10 years before my PM.
Good luck on your journey!
Jessi

Magster

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-15 01:04:28

Interesting. They tried that one on me too. The cardio was sure I had plumbing problems based on my lipid levels, and wanted to do a chemical stress test. I said NO which didn't make him very happy. He gave me a 50% chance of having a heart attack in the next year. I ask him which half of the year he thought it would be, and then after 6 months told him it must be going to happen in the next 6 months. That was 5 years ago.

I suppose if I die of a heart attack at 90 he will say he told me so.

frank

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