There are two new questions this month: one is in regards to a check-off list for catheter placement, the second question is about whether or not to purchase a back-up defibrillator. Readers, let us know if you can help provide any information on the questions listed below; if you would like to respond, please email us at eplabdigest@hotmail.com or visit us on the Web at www.eplabdigest.com (click on the email discussion group link). Remember, when posting or responding to the discussion group, please let us know if you would like your name, location, and/or email address listed as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), and European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS) have recently released their Expert Consensus Statement regarding catheter and surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).¹ These recommendations serve as a guide for practicing clinical cardiac electrophysiologists with respect to the performance of ablative procedures to treat AF in a manner that is appropriate with standard clinical practice in 2007.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Coalition was announced at the Heart Rhythm 2007 meeting on May 10, 2007. In this article, we speak with Diane Canova, Co-Chair of the SCA Coalition, about the organization’s upcoming tasks.

The Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) held a one-day seminar entitled Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the Young on May 8, 2007, the day prior to this year’s Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) meeting in Denver, Colorado. The meeting was deemed an official satellite symposium by HRS, and occurred under the auspices of President John Triedman of PACES. The event was co-chaired by Dr. Stuart Berger, from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin, and by Dr. Robert Campbell from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University. Dr. Michael Schaffer and his staff at Denver Children’s Hospital coordinated the event itself.

In this next installment of EP Lab Digest’s EP 101 section, the authors discuss bradyarrhythmias.

Todd is the Cardiology Manager for Memorial Hermann Southeast in Houston, Texas. He also teaches an online RCIS Review course for Spokane Community College, in Spokane, Washington, and regularly presents with RCIS Review Courses.

Presently, 60 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are performed annually worldwide. Unfortunately, up to 75% of pacemaker patients will also need an MRI at some point in their lifetime.^1,2 However, MRI examinations are contraindicated in most medical centers for patients with a permanent pacemaker. Thus, MRI-pacemaker safety has great clinical importance.

In case you weren’t able to attend this year’s Heart Rhythm 2007 meeting in Denver, here are some of the things you missed:

Dr. Berman is the Director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation Services at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) in Augusta, Georgia. In this interview, he describes the challenges he encounters when building a new ablation program.

Sibley Heart Center Cardiology is a group of 34 pediatric cardiologists with Emory University School or Medicine teaching appointments who provide services at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sibley Heart Center (there are 17 outpatient locations and 34 hospitals throughout Georgia). This article details how implementing a new technology, in which our pediatric cardiologists are able to share cardiac images electronically throughout these locations, has helped patients receive more timely, accurate and convenient care.

In this month’s Spotlight Interview, we highlight the new electrophysiology lab at Coliseum Medical Center. In their article, they describe the challenges faced when starting out. We at EP Lab Digest would like to wish them the best of luck and welcome them to our EP community!