In 2005, the first edition of Practical Electrophysiology was published. In May 2009, the updated second edition was finally released. In this special interview, Dr. Todd Cohen from Winthrop University Hospital talks about what is included in the second edition of this highly anticipated book.

What prompted you to write the second edition of Practical Electrophysiology?

The first edition of Practical Electrophysiology served a need in the electrophysiology community. This book provided an essential reference for ancillary personnel, cardiology fellows, and cardiologists, as well as a beginning book for electrophysiology fellows. This book was published approximately three years ago. Within that period of time, there have been significant advances in electrophysiology and its technology. The field has advanced with respect to implantable devices and the techniques used for catheter ablation. All of this needed to be updated. In addition, healthcare professionals and electrophysiology staff members require a background in basic and advanced cardiac life support; there was no short and easy review reference for these techniques as they relate to electrophysiology. Therefore, a chapter has been added to the book with respect to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the essential drugs, and the important algorithms needed in this regard. In addition, my earlier edition did not have any significant mention as it relates to lead extraction, a technique that is becoming more and more common.

Thus, a lead extraction chapter has been added to this edition as well. Finally, the initial book garnered significant positive feedback from the electrophysiology community. One of the things that was missing, however, was testing to assess the reader’s knowledge of the information contained in this book. I have subsequently added a series of three quizzes in order to test one’s proficiency.

Is this book still considered an “EP 101” guide for beginners? Who will get the most out of reading this book?