An electrophysiology study or EP study is a diagnostic test to evaluate if there is a problem with your heart’s electrical conduction that may be causing your irregular heartbeats.

The test is performed in a specialized procedure room called the EP lab in the hospital. The doctor will insert one or more flexible tubes, called catheters, into a vein, typically in the groin or neck, and then thread the catheters into your heart. The catheters have electrodes at the tips that will collect information about your heart’s electrical activity. The doctor will be able to tell what kind of heart rhythm problems you have and where in the heart the problem is occurring. The doctor may decide to perform a procedure called catheter ablation at the same time to try to get rid of the arrhythmia.