What prompted you to write this book?
Electrophysiology is expanding in leaps and bounds. More and more implantable defibrillators and catheter ablation procedures are being performed each year. In order to keep up with these developments, it is important to educate and inform the myriad of EP lab staff members, vendors, cardiology fellows, internists, cardiologists, as well as electrophysiology fellows. However, most of the educational materials in the field of pacing, defibrillators, and catheter ablation have been geared towards the electrophysiologist-physician scientist. There

Background
Techniques used to extract chronically implanted permanent pacing leads have evolved over time. These initially consisted of traction and now have evolved into counter pressure and counter traction with the assistance of specialized sheaths and locking stylets.¹ The procedure has also been assisted greatly by the development of sheaths that deliver pulses of excimer laser (Spectranetics, Colorado Springs, CO) or radiofrequency current (Cook Vascular Inc., Leechburg, PA). These methods have allowed for successful lead removal but, as with any surgical procedure, th

What is the size of your EP lab facility and number of staff members? What is the mix of credentials at your lab?
This is a 230-bed facility. We have one EP lab with a staff of three: two RN, BSNs, and our manager is an RT(R), CV, RCIS.

When was the EP lab started at your institution?
Our EP program started in 1989.

What types of procedures are performed at your facility?
Procedures include diagnostic EPs, ablations, pacers and ICDs, Bi-V devices, Reveal ® (Medtronic, Inc.) implants, tilt studies, 3D cardiac mapping, and Wolf mini-maze; the staff also assi

As the field of electrophysiology (EP) continues to explode, serving as probably the fastest-growing part of cardiology, we look back at the year at some of the major publications in EP. Due to space limitations, we cannot obviously mention every worthy publication, so we will highlight the more important ones.
Interest remains quite high in the area of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (pulmonary vein or PV ablation). Although considered a rare complication, there are concerns about esophageal perforation during PV ablation, which can be devastating. An interesting article from

New Question: Billing for Failed CRT Implant Does anyone know if CRT (DRG 535 or 536) covers the hospital's costs if the patient is a non-responder and must go to the OR for epicardial lead placement? name withheld by request (Readers, to reply to this question, please type Failed CRT Implant in your subject line.) Under Discussion: Placing Sheaths What about placement of femoral venous and/or arterial sheaths for EP catheters? Also, if non-MDs are placing sheaths, what are their qualifications, and are there protocols for credentialing, etc.?