Prof. Dr. Taylan AKGÜN

What is an Electrophysiology Specialist or Electrophysiologist?

The normal rhythm of the heart and blood circulation are provided by the electrical system inside the heart. A cardiologist who specialises in recognising and treating problems of the electrical system in the heart is called an electrophysiologist.

What does an electrophysiologist do?

An electrophysiologist recognises and treats problems in the electrical system of your heart. They find the cause of the rhythm or conduction disturbance. These rhythm disturbances can sometimes be very mild and sometimes fatal. Once the cause has been found, he or she will correct your rhythm or conduction disturbance with medical treatment, catheter ablation and pacemaker therapies. Successful treatment can be achieved in more than 90% of rhythm problems. Your quality of life is significantly improved.

Which Tests Does Electrophysiologist Perform?

The most important step in the detection of heart rhythm disorders is to discuss the complaints in detail with the patient, to question the beginning, end and what happened during the complaint. Rhythm disorders sometimes continue for a while and end. When they end, the tests performed may be normal. This does not mean that there is no disease. An electrophysiologist performs some tests to understand what exactly is causing your problem. These include;

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Holter monitor
• Event recorder
• Wearable ECG devices
• Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
• Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• It can be listed as Heart MRI.

Which diseases do electrophysiologists treat?

An electrophysiologist treats most disorders of your heart rhythm. These are usually conditions in which the heart beats too fast or irregularly. Some rhythm disturbances are annoying and affect your quality of life, while others pose fatal risks. The disorders treated are as follows:

• All subtypes of supraventricular tachycardias (SVT): AVNRT, AVRT, Atrial tachycardia
• Atrial fibrillation
• Atrial flutter
• Accessory pathways (also called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or preexcitation)
• Atrial premature beats
  Ventricular premature beats (PVCs)
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Reflex or vasovagal syncope
• Heart blocks (pacemaker implantation, pacemaker monitoring, solving pacemaker problems)

When Should I See an Electrophysiologist?

You should see an electrophysiologist especially if you have heart palpitations, heart palpitations, irregular pulse or heartbeat, shortness of breath, decreased effort capacity, early fatigue, fainting or almost fainting. However, it should not be forgotten that the symptoms may be similar in heart diseases. The electrophysiologist will perform tests to determine whether these complaints are due to arrhythmia.