Introduction to cardiac electrophysiology and assessment of sinus node and atrio-ventricular conduction

Abstract

Background: Interest in cardiac electrophysiology is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, but the interpretation of results is poorly understood. Cardiac electrophysiology is the study of electrical activity of the heart by virtue of catheters that are positioned in the heart, as opposed to leads placed on the chest surface. It is useful in identifying sites of origin of various cardiac arrhythmias, diagnosing conduction abnormalities and treating various arrhythmias. Material and method: This study is a review of cardiac electrophysiology methods. It aims to help physicians understand and interpret cardiac electrophysiology reports.

Keywords

• Electrophysiology
• intracardiac catheters
• leads
• sino-atrial node
• atrio-ventricular node
• conduction