Types of Electrophysiology Interventions and Their Benefits

Electrophysiology is an invasive procedure that records and evaluates the heart's electrical activity. It is commonly used to diagnose and treat heart disease, especially heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias).

An electrophysiology procedure starts with an examination that determines which type of electrophysiology intervention a heart patient needs. The examination also shows whether the patient needs a device or another procedure to treat the heart condition.

Types of Electrophysiology Intervention by Diagnosis

After an electrophysiology examination, in which electrodes are placed on parts of the chest and back, the patient learns which type of electrophysiology intervention applies, based on the doctor's diagnosis.

1. Permanent Pacemaker Implantation

Permanent pacemaker implantation is the electrophysiology intervention for patients with a slow heartbeat. A slow heartbeat typically causes lightheadedness, fatigue and fainting.

A pacemaker implanted surgically usually sits on the right or left side, below the collarbone. There are also permanent pacemakers placed by catheter, inserted through a small opening near the collarbone.

The device has 3 important parts: a generator containing an electrical circuit about the size of a matchbox, a mini computer, and a battery. It sends signals to the heart through pacing wires (leads) when the heartbeat starts to slow.

2. Arrhythmia Ablation

If the examination shows that the patient has an irregular heart rhythm caused by arrhythmia, arrhythmia ablation is performed.

The procedure aims to normalize a heartbeat that is too slow, too fast or irregular. A small instrument delivers heat energy to destroy the abnormal electrical circuits that cause the rhythm disorder.

This type of electrophysiology intervention can be used to treat supraventricular tachycardia, WPW (Wolff-Parkinson-White) syndrome, atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and premature ventricular beats.

3. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Implantation

This type of electrophysiology intervention is the best solution for patients with advanced heart disease for whom conventional heart therapy no longer works.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is designed to improve the contraction of the heart's chambers. It also helps the pumping action of the right and left ventricles work in sync, or at the same time. It works much like a pacemaker, sending electrical impulses through pacing wires (leads).

Although implanting cardiac resynchronization therapy is very safe, there are some risks of complications. Most important, patients should always be wary of magnetic fields and high-voltage equipment, because resynchronization devices are fairly sensitive. Patients should also always carry their device identification card and tell security staff before passing through a metal detector, so that nothing unwanted happens.

One cardiologist with expertise in electrophysiology interventions at Heartology is Dr. Sunu Raharjo, who completed the cardiology and vascular medicine specialist training program at Universitas Indonesia (UI) in Jakarta and deepened that specialization with training in clinical electrophysiology, pacemaker implantation and interventional cardiology. Other cardiologists with the same expertise include Dr. Faris Basalamah and Dr. Dicky Hanafy. You can also see Heartology's list of other cardiologists here.

Those are several types of electrophysiology intervention worth knowing about. We hope this is useful.