​ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Cardiac electrophysiology studies involve placing a catheter (tubing) into the vessels of the groin, then navigating them up to the heart. The heart is then stimulated to locate and treat any source of arrhythmias. 

Anaesthesia may be performed:

• Awake - with local anaesthetic to the groin area. The surgeon may request this to avoid the suppressive effects of anaesthetics on arrhythmias to aid diagnosis
• Sedation
• General Anaesthesia

There is usually only mild pain post-operatively. The groin is infiltrated with local anaesthetic to numb the area, and any areas of ablation may result in only mild chest discomfort which is well controlled by oral (tablet) pain killers.