Canadian Genetic Heart Rhythm Network Provides Coordinated Approach to the Investigation of Inherited Heart Rhythm Disorders

Investigating inherited cardiac rhythm diseases is the focus of an innovative new clinic at Hotel Dieu Hospital. The Inherited Heart Rhythm Disease Clinic is one of the few places in Canada that offers genetic testing for arrhythmia patients and their families. Read more about this unique clinic here.

The Inherited Heart Rhythm Disease Clinic specializes in genetic testing of heart rhythm diseases for patients and their families. They test specifically for sudden arrhythmia death syndromes (SADS), which often go undetected because patient symptoms are commonly misdiagnosed or left untreated.

In this interview, Dr. Bruce Wilkoff discusses the Lead Extraction in Contemporary Settings (LExICon) study data, the updated lead extraction guidelines, as well as his use of laser lead removal. Dr. Wilkoff is the principal investigator of the LExICon study and the Director of Cardiac Pacing and Tachyarrhythmia Devices at the Cleveland Clinic.

Tell us about the LExICon study. What was the purpose of the study, and what were the key results?

Narendra K. Kanuru, MD is an electrophysiologist with Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia. In this interview with EP Lab Digest, he discusses his methods for preventing and managing possible device implant infections.

How many cardiac rhythm management device (CRMD) implants do you perform monthly, on average?
It varies, but I would say it most likely averages between 500-700 implants per year at our institution.

What is the rate, in general, of cardiac device infections or complications? Are there certain patients at higher risk for infection?

Arrhythmia Center Stockholm recently performed the first treatment of atrial fibrillation in their new facility. In this interview, we speak with Dr. Anders Englund from the Arrhythmia Center Stockholm about the new technology and innovation available at this facility in Stockholm, Sweden.

Tell us about the Arrhythmia Center Stockholm. When did it open? How large is it?
We opened on May 6, 2009. We plan on treating approximately 400 patients per year. We will also have an outpatient clinic. The Arrhythmia Center Stockholm is a private center owned by Global Health Partner. We are located in South Hospital (Södersjukhuset), which is a large public hospital with an extensive cardiology program, and this is where we will perform all medical services. We also have research programs together with the “host” hospital. We plan to treat patients referred from public hospitals and patients with private insurances.