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Electrophysiology Studies & Catheter Ablation Flashcards

7 cards from real CVT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. During programmed electrical stimulation (PES), what is the purpose of delivering extrastimuli (S2, S3)?

    Answer: To induce tachyarrhythmias by scanning through refractory periods

    Extrastimuli are delivered at progressively shorter coupling intervals to identify tissue refractory periods and initiate reentrant arrhythmias.

  2. What is the normal range for the AH interval in an EP study?

    Answer: 55–125 ms

    The AH interval (atrial-to-His, representing AV nodal conduction) normally measures 55–125 ms and prolongates with vagal tone or AV nodal disease.

  3. On a 3D electroanatomical bipolar voltage map, purple/blue color typically represents:

    Answer: Scar tissue with low bipolar voltage (<0.5 mV)

    Purple/blue on bipolar voltage maps indicates dense scar (<0.5 mV), which commonly serves as the substrate for reentrant ventricular tachycardia.

  4. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) during atrial fibrillation ablation targets pulmonary vein ostia located in the:

    Answer: Left atrium

    AF triggers originate predominantly from the pulmonary vein ostia, which connect to the left atrium; PVI electrically isolates these veins.

  5. During RF ablation, what is the primary reason to limit catheter tip temperature to approximately 50–60°C?

    Answer: To prevent steam pops that can cause cardiac perforation

    Excessive temperature (>60°C) causes rapid tissue vaporization, producing steam pops (microexplosions) that risk cardiac perforation or thrombus.

  6. Which conduction property is characteristic of the AV node and describes slowing of conduction with increasing pacing rates?

    Answer: Decremental conduction

    Decremental conduction means conduction velocity slows as the stimulation rate increases — a hallmark property of the AV node.

  7. Which two major complications are most feared during left-sided catheter ablation procedures requiring transseptal access?

    Answer: Cardiac tamponade and thromboembolic stroke

    Transseptal left heart access carries risks of cardiac tamponade (from perforation) and stroke (from thrombus or air embolism in the left-sided circulation).