Electrophysiological Diagnostic Tests
The Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center employs the latest technologies, sophisticated diagnostic tests and highly skilled cardiac specialists to determine whether a child is suffering from heart disease and to chart the most effective treatment plan.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures for the Heart
Diagnostic tests and procedures may be utilized in order to evaluate the electrical activity of your child’s heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
"ECG," "EKG," and "electrocardiogram" all refer to the same test, which is a simple and painless test that records the changes in the electrical activity of the heart on graph paper. This helps identify heart rhythm abnormalities. It can also tell about the size or thickness of the heart chambers and the relative position of the heart inside the chest.
Holter Monitor
A Holter monitor – also known as an ambulatory electrocardiogram – is a 24-hour recording of the electrical activity of the heart. The monitor is a tool used to record the rate and rhythm of the heart. Irregularities such as fast heart rate, slow heart rate and abnormal rhythms of the heart can be recorded. Because many irregularities of the heart rate or rhythm may not be present all of the time, a standard electrocardiogram may miss them. By recording the heart rate and rhythm continuously for 24 hours, there is a greater chance of detecting abnormalities.
Electrophysiological Study
Cardiac electrophysiology study (EPS) determines the details of arrhythmias. It involves placing electrodes within the heart by the way of catheters, which are plastic tubes the size of a piece of spaghetti. The catheters are placed through the veins of the body, most commonly those in the upper part of the leg. Electrical activity inside the heart can be directly measured and stimulation of the heart can be performed to assess the electrical function of the heart and to initiate abnormal heart rhythms. Frequently, this is combined with “catheter ablation,” the targeted destruction of a small area of the heart responsible for heart rhythm abnormalities.
Tilt Table Evaluations
During this test, patients who have suffered from syncope (fainting) placed on a table and tilted to two-thirds of full standing position in an effort to provoke the common, non-life threatening form of syncope (fainting).
Contact the Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
