Along with four new questions this month, we also have a lot of discussion happening with previous questions. If you would like to join in on the discussion, please email us at eplabdigest@hotmail.com or visit us 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. We look forward to hearing from you!

Today, more than ever, the Internet has become an indispensable source of health news and information for both patients and physicians. As patients find they are increasingly responsible for larger portions of their healthcare bill, many turn to the Internet to develop an understanding of their ailment, evaluate their symptoms, or learn about the doctor they are about to see. Doctors, then, must have a credible and professional Web presence to remain competitive in today’s increasingly wired healthcare environment.

On September 24, 2007, a roundtable discussion on cryoablation took place at the Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Peter Wells and Dr. Rajjit Abrol of the Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital in Dallas, along with Dr. George Van Hare of Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, California, participated in this discussion, which was shown as a webcast on OR-Live. In this abridged summary, you’ll learn about techniques in EP ablation procedures using CryoCath’s technology. You’ll also hear how adult and pediatric electrophysiologists can successfully integrate this exciting technology into their practice.

In this interview, we speak with Dr. José Jalife, who is moving from SUNY Upstate Medical University to the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to establish the U-M Center for Arrhythmia Research. Keep reading to learn more about this new institution for EP research.

On November 15, 2007, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) and St. David’s Medical Center unveiled a technologically advanced training center that is the first of its kind in the region. It is equipped with audiovisual capabilities to allow trainees to attend live cases while also closely viewing the treatment field and communicating with the operating physicians.

This month we speak with Sue Deck, BS, RN, RCES, who is the EP Educational Coordinator at Lancaster General Hospital.