This month, we have several questions under discussion. The newest question asks about professional organizations for those in EP. The next question is in regards to finding evidence-based guidelines for electrophysiology studies; the last question is on the use of surgical masks for EP procedures.

Trying to fit new technology into an old space often presents a challenge for hospitals and their architects. John Muir Medical Center (JMMC), in Walnut Creek, California wanted to replace their oldest Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory within their Angiography/Cardiac Catheterization Suite, with the latest in electrophysiology lab (EP) equipment. After considering the various equipment vendors, JMMC selected Toshiba’s Infinix CSI equipment.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it would be expanding defibrillator coverage. In this interview, we look into how this coverage could change treatment options for EP patients and what it will mean for those in EP, including ICD guidelines, the national ICD registry, and implantation certification. Dr. Wilkoff is the Director of Cardiac Pacing and Tachyarrhythmia Devices at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio.

In each Spotlight Interview, we ask our labs to include an interesting or bizarre case that they have treated. In this article, I hope you will enjoy reading the stories that we have compiled! The following accounts of cases were taken from “Spotlight Interviews” published in EP Lab Digest from September 2001 to February 2005. The labs are located all across the country. Please note that some of the managers’ comments were edited slightly so as to focus solely on the management of the case.

Catheter ablation can offer a cure for many patients with atrial fibrillation.^1–4 Current approaches generate a lesion set utilizing radiofrequency (RF) energy that can eliminate the triggers of atrial fibrillation, modify the substrate in the left atrium, and electrically isolate the pulmonary veins.

The Society for Women’s Health Research is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of all women through research, education and advocacy. The Society encourages the study of sex differences between women and men that affect the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Sherry Marts, PhD directs scientific programs at the Society. In this interview, we discuss the recent ACC cardiology findings for women, how women are impacted by clinical research, and what else can be done to improve the quality of research for women.

Although they have been providing electrophysiology (EP) services here since 1987, the dedicated EP lab at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center didn’t open until 2003. The EP lab staff provide a wide variety of electrophysiology services, including EP studies, radiofrequency catheter ablation, pacemakers, biventricular pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and tilt table testing.