Electrophysiology Lab
Journal Articles: Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation has evolved enormously thanks to rapid improvement of modern mapping technologies, progress in catheter development and current possibilities for reduction of radiation exposure. Pulmonary vein isolation is thereby the cornerstone in this interventional treatment. Increased precision of catheter localization by modern three-dimensional mapping systems, faster and better processing of local electrograms and their immediate color-based visualization make it possible to treat even challenging arrhythmias very effectively. The commonly used three-dimensional mapping systems CARTO 3 (Biosense Webster, Irvine, Ca.) and Ensite Precision (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Min) differ in construction and principles of the underlying mapping technology. In this review article, we aim to emphasize the most important aspects of possibilities that make both systems so valuable for interventional treatment of atrial fibrillation. We present a modern workflow, that unites three-dimensional LA mapping with collecting relevant local information, image integration for refining the map and beneficial use of contact force based ablation approach.
Read MoreBest Practices: Best practices for developing an efficient and quality-focused AF ablation program as part of a larger AF center of excellence, highlighting the experience of a single center and demonstrating how the same principles were adopted to implement a similar program at another institution.
Read MoreData/Registries: This sample report shows performance over time of patient in room compared to physician in room and patient in room access compared to when the patient arrives in the lab.
Read MoreData/Registries: This spreadsheet can be used to track procedure times in the EP lab. Once compiled into a database, reporting can be provided to stakeholders each month with physician times.
Read MoreBusiness Plans: Business Plan Electrophysiology Laboratory – Staffing/Volume Increase
Read MoreBusiness Plans: Extensive sample business plan presentation to utilize when advocating for an EP lab to administrative stakeholders. Includes AFib statistics, forecasted ablation growth, patient benefits, leadership strategy, and more.
Read MoreChecklists: Helpful checklist for the care team when treating a patient with cardiac tamponade.
Read MoreChecklists: This Preoperative Checklist can be used by teams for all patients coming to the EP lab.
Read MoreJournal Articles: In this international, investigator-initiated, parallel-group, open, blinded-outcome assessment trial, we randomly assigned patients who had early atrial fibrillation (diagnosed ≤1 year before enrollment) and cardiovascular conditions to receive either early rhythm control or usual care. Early rhythm control included treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs or atrial fibrillation ablation after randomization. Usual care limited rhythm control to the management of atrial fibrillation–related symptoms. The first primary outcome was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, stroke, or hospitalization with worsening of heart failure or acute coronary syndrome; the second primary outcome was the number of nights spent in the hospital per year. The primary safety outcome was a composite of death, stroke, or serious adverse events related to rhythm-control therapy. Secondary outcomes, including symptoms and left ventricular function, were also evaluated.
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