title: A survey of German centres performing invasive electrophysiology: structure, procedures, and training positions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a nationwide survey (and reference for the future) on cardiac electrophysiologists, types and numbers of invasive electrophysiological procedures, and training opportunities in 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  German cardiology centres performing invasive electrophysiology were identified from quality reports and contacted to fill a questionnaire. A majority of 122 centres (65%) responded. Electrophysiology (ablation procedures and device therapy) was mainly part of a cardiology department (82%), and only in 9% independent (own budget). In only 58% of the centres, (at least) two physicians were present during catheter ablations. Although in 2010, women represented 59.4% of physicians <35 years old, only 26% of physicians in electrophysiology training were female. In total, 33 420 catheter ablations were performed with a median number of 180 per centre. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most common arrhythmia invasively treated (35%). At least 50 AF ablations were performed in 53% of the centres. Of the centres performing AF ablations, consecutive left atrial arrhythmias were treated by catheter ablation only in 75%, and only 44% had in-house surgical backup. Only one-fourth of the 122 centres fulfilled all requirements for training centre accreditation according to the European Heart Rhythm Association and the German Cardiac Society.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate a high number of electrophysiology centres and procedures in Germany. Atrial fibrillation was the most common arrhythmia invasively treated. An increasing demand for catheter ablation is likely, but training opportunities are limited. Women are clearly underrepresented. A co-operation of higher and lower volume electrophysiology centres may be necessary for training purposes.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie, Angiologie, Internistische. Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Ruprecht
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Neuberger
authors.forename: Roland Richard
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Tilz
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bonnemeier
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deneke
authors.forename: Heidi L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Estner
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kriatselis
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuniss
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luik
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steven
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Bary
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eckardt
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000639:trends; D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000639:trends*; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D061847:Hospitals, High-Volume / Q000639:trends; D061846:Hospitals, Low-Volume / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000639:trends; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Catheter ablation; Invasive electrophysiology; Survey; Training requirements