| < back to non-invasive tests Invasive tests used in the diagnosis of IST Here are some of the invasive tests used in the diagnosis of IST and other heart rhythm problems. These procedures usually mean you will be admitted to hospital for at least 1 or 2 days. EPS / EP Study / Electrophysiology Study An EP study is a type of cardiac catheterisation where the heart's electrical system is studied from inside the heart. During this test, one or more catheters (thin flexible tubes) are inserted into a vein in your groin or sometimes in other places (under collar bone or neck). X-rays are used to gently guide the catheters into the right positions in the heart. The catheters sense the electrical activity in the heart and can also be programmed to stimulate different areas of your heart to try to 'induce' or kick-start any abnormal rhythms you may be having. The areas of the heart generating abnormal heart rhythms can be located. An Ablation can also be performed as part of the EP Study - see treatments. The EPS is performed by a team of one or more electrophysiologists, specialised cardiac physiologists (technicians), radiographers and cardiology nurses. Implanted Loop Recorders ( Reveal� ) These are used when people have fainting episodes and/or experience palpitations and dizzyness and sometimes when the physician feels that the cause for a person's symptoms hasn't been seen on any tests done so far. Before a Reveal� is considered you will most probably have had several 24hr ECG recordings, an event recorder and maybe other tests such as an Exercise ECG and/or Tilt Test. This is an implantable cardiac monitor. The Reveal� ILR by Medtronic is currently the only one available as far as I know - so I will talk about that one. It is used to record the heart's rate and rhythm at the time of symptoms, such as dizziness or palpitations. The Reveal stores an ECG/EKG, and your EP/cardiologist can use the information to identify or rule out an abnormal heart rate or rhythm as the being cause of your symptoms. The Reveal� is approx 6cm long and maybe half a cm thick. It is implanted in a procedure that is almost identical to having a pacemaker implanted. You will be taken (most probably) to the cardiac catheter lab and the doctor will numb the skin on your chest, just under your collar bone and make a tiny incision (cut) and the Reveal� will be implanted just under the skin with a few stitches. You usually leave hospital the same day with a small dressing over the wound. After you have had a short rest from the procedure, a specialised cardiac physiologist (technician) will teach you how to use the Reveal�. You make recordings in much the same way as with Cardiac Event Recorders/Memos. The patient (or a someone else they have taught about it) places the small hand-held activator device over where the Reveal� is implanted and presses a button. A little flashing light on the activator shows that the recording is being stored. Once either a cause for your symptoms is identified on the recordings from the Reveal� or the battery runs out (after about 18 months or so); then it is removed and you will meet with your doctor to discuss any treatment or further tests from that point. For more info, visit: Medtronic Reveal� < back to non-invasive tests |
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tests used in the Diagnosis of IST |
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| The content of this page was last modified at 02:46 GMT Wednesday 20th July 200 |
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