About Electrophysiology
Key Highlights
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Gold standard for diagnosing complex heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias).Minimally invasive procedure with no large surgical incisions.Often combines diagnosis and treatment (like ablation) in a single session.High success rates for curing or controlling many types of arrhythmias.Can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for long-term medication.Performed by a highly trained sub-specialist (Cardiac Electrophysiologist).liTypically involves a short hospital stay and faster recovery than open-heart surgery./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosing the cause of unexplained fainting (syncope) or palpitations.
- Evaluating and treating atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter that is not controlled by medication.
- Treating supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) like AVNRT or WPW syndrome.
- Assessing and treating certain types of ventricular tachycardia.
- Evaluating the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, especially in patients with heart conditions.
- Testing the function of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
- Planning for a catheter ablation or other specific arrhythmia treatment.
How to prepare
- Detailed discussion with your electrophysiologist about the procedure, risks, and benefits.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure (usually no food or drink after midnight).
- Adjusting or stopping certain medications (especially blood thinners) as directed by your doctor.
- Informing the doctor of all allergies, especially to iodine, contrast dye, or medications.
- Arranging for someone to drive you home after discharge, as you cannot drive yourself.
- Shaving the groin area if instructed by the hospital staff.
- Bringing a list of all current medications and past medical reports.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, bruising, or infection at the catheter insertion site in the groin.
- Damage to blood vessels or the heart (perforation), which is rare but serious.
- Blood clots that could lead to stroke or other complications.
- New or worsened arrhythmias during the procedure.
- Reaction to the sedative or contrast dye used.
- Damage to the heart's electrical system, potentially requiring a permanent pacemaker (rare).
- Radiation exposure from X-ray imaging, though kept to a minimum.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery involves 4-6 hours of bed rest to allow the puncture site to heal.
- Vital signs and the insertion site are monitored closely in the hospital.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast dye from your system.
- Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and driving for the time specified by your doctor (usually 3-7 days).
- Keep the insertion site clean and dry; watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge).
- Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor heart rhythm and recovery progress.
- Resume medications as prescribed and report any new symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, or palpitations immediately.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering electrophysiology in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with cardiology electrophysiology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform electrophysiology. MediFyr helps you compare cardiologist electrophysiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for electrophysiology compare across other countries where we have data.
David Chopra, a 58-year-old software engineer...
David Chopra, a 58-year-old software engineer and father of two, had always been active. For the past year, he'd been experiencing sudden, terrifying episodes where his heart would race uncontrollably, making him dizzy and short of breath. These palpitations would strike without warning, sometimes during a morning jog, other times while simply sitting at his desk. After a particularly bad episode where he nearly fainted, his primary care doctor referred him to a cardiologist. A Holter monitor confirmed he was having episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The cardiologist, Dr. Evans, an electrophysiologist, explained that David had an extra electrical pathway in his heart causing these short-circuits. He recommended an electrophysiology (EP) study with possible catheter ablation to permanently correct the problem. David was nervous about a procedure involving his heart but was desperate to stop the frightening episodes. The procedure itself was done under sedation. He recalls a sense of pressure but no pain as the catheters were threaded through his groin. The team mapped his heart's electrical system, pinpointed the problematic pathway, and used radiofrequency energy to ablate it. Waking up, he felt sore but relieved. After a night of observation, he was discharged. Recovery involved taking it easy for a week. Now, six months later, David hasn't had a single racing episode. He's back to running and playing with his kids without fear. Emotionally, he went from living in constant anxiety of the next 'attack' to feeling a profound sense of freedom and security, deeply grateful for the technology that gave him his life back.
Cardiologist Electrophysiologists for Electrophysiology
Explore experienced cardiologist electrophysiologists who regularly perform electrophysiology and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 12 Years Experience
- Cardiologist Electrophysiologist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Cardiologist Electrophysiologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 10 Years Experience
- Cardiologist Electrophysiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore