I often get asked the same question here at the email discussion group: “How can my hospital set up an EP lab?”. Readers, this is where your input is most crucial. Send me your “insider” tips about what components you think every EP lab needs. Whether it is a tip about staffing needs, a certain piece of equipment, or scheduling concerns, your opinion counts!

Almost everybody who does pacemaker or ICD follow-up ends up having to troubleshoot problems. Sometimes the patient may not have any particular complaint, but rhythm strips tell a different story.

In this article, we spoke with Dr. Michael Orlov, Principal Investigator of the AVAIL Study, about the main objectives and endpoints of the trial. Michael Orlov, MD, PhD, is practicing at the Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

Navigating through Turbulent Seas was the title of this year’s Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals’ CV Management Conference, held in Orlando immediately preceding the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions of March 2005. If there was ever any question about the nature of the seas upon which we navigate, this conference left no doubt about the stormy waters we find ourselves on, or even in, daily.

Elizabeth (Betty) Ching, RN has been working extensively in the field of EP for more than 20 years now. Currently she is located at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where she is Nurse Manager of the Device Clinic. In this interview, she describes her more interesting cases as well as her work as moderator of the Cardiac Devices message board on WebMD.

The Heart Rhythm Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of heart rhythm patients, has launched It’s About Time: Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest to increase public awareness of this important health issue and encourage those who are at risk to seek treatment.

Sinai-Grace Hospital was created in 1998 when two well-established community hospitals (Sinai Hospital and Grace Hospital) merged. Grace Hospital has its roots in the community, stretching back to 1888. Sinai-Grace is one of the Detroit Medical Center’s premier sites with 404 licensed beds, nearly 700 physicians, 900 nurses and more than 2,000 health care professionals and support staff.