What is an EP?

[Morzine]

Hi everyone,

I live in France and had my first afib in May in Spain ended up in hospital on holiday, I’ve saw the cardio as soon as I got home and have seen him four times now so I feel I’ve been taken care of well, and after juggling tablets , side effects, feeling horrid, and a few afib attacks I seem to be pretty normal fingers crossed for now. Everyone on here talks about an EP...., why do you see the EP and what do you do with him? We don’t seem to have EPS here unless I’ve lost this in translation....

The cardio here recommends ablation to me, and has made me an appointment with a cardiologist miles away at Lyon, who he calls the expert who will do the operation.....so I presume this is what you call the EP? But I’ve checked him out and he’s a cardiologist with his own practice plus he dies the hospital as well.

The operation is done at Lyon hospital , but I’m seeing him at his practice elsewhere fir an assessment.....so does the EP in U.K. do an assessment befire the op.....if so what is the assessment? I’m presuming this chap must be a cardio that’s also an EP.....goodness it’s a bit of a minefield for me, french health care is brilliant as in you get seen quick, but getting to understand what’s going on all in French is stressful, I speak pretty well and understand but when it’s all to do with health and everyone jabbers in so quickly I flounder and only get half of it.....when I see this chap what should I expect?

this forums helped fill in all the huge gaps and made me realize there is a life to get on with and it’s not as bad as the initial shock of it...I thank you all for helping me they that horrid phase......

Sue

[CDreamer]

Hi and welcome - you are correct in your assumption - an EP = Electrophysiologist who is a cardiologist with a special training in the electrics of the heart. Cardiology basically fall into 3 specialities - the structure - muscle, valves etc, the cardiovascular who specialise in the tubes = the plumbers if you like and the EPs. Ablation therapy requires years of extra training and if you are contemplating one you need to have someone who performs them frequently and who has the appropriate training and experience.

If you want more information visit the AFA site and download patient information leaflets. Hope that helps.

[Morzine in reply to CDreamer]

Ah thanks so I must be going to see the cardio that’s an EP...they don’t seem to use the term here, but maybe they will when I get to Lyon

[Hidden]

The French health system is excellent, so you are in good hands. On the language problem, why not take along a bilingual friend to the consultation? Or ask if there is, say, a nurse who speaks good English who could sit in with you? Certainly, I’m sure the doctor would accept that you need to know what is being said given the importance.