There are several new questions this month. Readers, 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!

Dr. Sears and colleagues recently studied the effectiveness of an ICD Shock and Stress Management Program in ICD patients. Their results were published in the July 2007 issue of PACE. Dr. Sears is a Professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.

Mended Hearts, affiliated with the American Heart Association, is a community-based, nationwide nonprofit organization providing support to heart patients of all ages. The cornerstone program of Mended Hearts is its visiting program, whereby heart patient volunteers are specifically trained and accredited to visit other heart patients in person, online or by phone. In this interview, we spoke with Tim Elsner, Executive Director of The Mended Hearts, Inc.

Support groups for device patients exist at many hospitals around the country. In this article, we spoke with several leaders of such groups, including: Michele Robinson, RN and Christian Machado, MD, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiology Fellowship at Providence Hospital Medical Centers in Southfield, Michigan; Timothy R. Ryan, MS, APRN, NP-C from Creighton University Cardiac Center in Omaha, Nebraska; Julie Shea, RN, MS from the Longwood Medical Area ICD Support Group, a collaborative effort between Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts; Burt Payson from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine; Nancy Bowe, RN, from the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey; and Christopher Jensen from “www.ICDSupportForum.com”.

Over the last 20 years, the transvenous techniques for the extraction of chronically implanted cardiac device leads have achieved a high success rate. However, the procedures are often intricate and are associated with a small but significant risk. The physician’s experience and the availability of different approaches for challenging cases can affect both the results and any associated complications.

Morristown Memorial Hospital was the first EP lab to be featured as a Spotlight Interview in EP Lab Digest’s inaugural September 2001 issue. We check back in with them after six years to get an update on their lab and staff.