This month, please take a look at the two new questions under discussion. The first question is in regards to finding evidence-based guidelines for electrophysiology studies; the second question is on the use of surgical masks for EP procedures. Readers, if you have information or tips that might be helpful, email us at eplabdigest@hotmail.com or go to www.eplabdigest.com and click on the email discussion group link. Our website is constantly being updated, so please check back often!

Dr. Dudley Hudspeth, a cardiothoracic surgeon who is located in Mesa, Arizona, describes how he has been using the MicroMaze procedure to cure atrial fibrillation in his patients. The procedure has been used at several hospitals so far, including Banner Baywood Heart Hospital, Mesa General Hospital, as well as Banner Desert Medical Center. During the MicroMaze procedure, the physician begins by making four small incisions — about an eighth of an inch each — into the patient’s chest. During the MicroMaze procedure, a tiny camera inserted into the chest guides the surgeon as he or she then uses a microwave to “cook” the affected areas of the heart. This helps form scar tissue, which then becomes a barrier to electrical transmissions and stops any abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. Read below for more information about how the procedure works.

Readers, how are new employees trained in your EP lab? Has it changed over the years? The following accounts of training methods in the electrophysiology lab were taken from previous “Spotlight Interviews” published in EP Lab Digest between September 2001 to February 2005. As you’ll see, the training methods differ in each lab: many labs utilize a type of preceptorship training program, while others give a basic orientation. The length of time for training also varies among these labs. I hope you will enjoy reading about the different training methods in these labs, and are able to apply some of their training techniques to your practice. Please note that some of the managers’ comments were edited slightly so as to focus solely on the training aspects in their EP labs.

Author Richard Lovett, RN talks to EP Lab Digest about some of the other EP websites available on the internet for AP professionals and patients.

In this article, the author asks if simply acquiring the necessary continuing education credits required qualify those in the medical field as “professionals.” She writes about what traits make a professional, how you can improve on your skills, and why this is so important. In addition, she notes the importance of communication in all aspects of your profession. Read further for more helpful tips.

On February 7, 2005, EP Lab Digest spoke with CryoCor, Inc.’s Founder, President and CEO Gregory M. Ayers, MD, PhD, FACC to find out more information regarding the CryoCor Cardiac Cryoablation System and CryoCor Clinical Trial for Atrial Fibrillation. Formed in Fall 2000, CryoCor, Inc. is headquartered in San Diego, California.

We report the first known case of acute right coronary artery occlusion following radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrial flutter in a patient without known prior coronary disease. Our patient developed acute chest pain and inferior ST-segment elevation immediately following the procedure. Emergent cardiac catheterization was performed, revealing an occluded distal right coronary artery, which was immediately stented. Acute coronary occlusion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients, with or without coronary artery disease, who experience chest pain following RF ablation for atrial flutter.

Marion General Hospital, located in Marion, Indiana, has a dedicated, qualified and professional hospital and auxiliary staff of more than 1,200. They are now offering electrophysiology studies in their recently renovated cardiac catheterization/EP lab. In fact, Dr. M.N. Sharif performed the first two studies in August 2001. Continue reading to find out more about this unique lab.