title: Personnel, equipment, and facilities for electrophysiological and catheter ablation procedures in Europe: results of the European Heart Rhythm Association Survey.
abstract: Clinical electrophysiology (EP) and catheter ablation of arrhythmias are rapidly evolving in recent years. More than 50 000 catheter ablations are performed every year in Europe. Emerging indications, an increasing number of procedures, and an expected high quality require national and international standards as well as trained specialists. The purpose of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to assess the practice of requirements for EP personnel, equipment, and facilities in Europe. Responses to the questionnaire were received from 52 members of the EHRA research network. The survey involved high-, medium-, and low-volume EP centres, performing >400, 100-399, and under 100 implants per year, respectively. The following topics were explored: (i) EP personnel issues including balance between female and male operators, responsibilities within the EP department, age profiles, role and training of fellows, and EP nurses, (ii) the equipments available in the EP laboratories, (iii) source of patient referrals, and (iv) techniques used for ablation for different procedures including sedation, and peri-procedural use of anticoagulation and antibiotics. The survey reflects the current EP personnel situation characterized by a high training requirement and specialization. Arrhythmia sections are still most often part of cardiology departments and the head of cardiology is seldom a heart rhythm specialist. Currently, the vast majority of EP physicians are men, although in the subgroup of physicians younger than 40 years, the proportion of women is increasing. Uncertainty exists regarding peri-procedural anticoagulation, antibiotic prophylaxis, and the need for sedation during specific procedures.
authors: Department of Cardiology, I. Medizinische Klinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 München, Germany Heidi.estner@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors: Heidi L
authors: HL
authors: Estner
authors: Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital and Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway.
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Centre of Serbia, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia.
authors: Tatjana
authors: T
authors: Potpara
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Science, University Hospital S. Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Proclemer
authors: Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine and Science, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, UK.
authors: Derick
authors: D
authors: Todd
authors: Department of Cardiology, Institution of Medical Science, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: Blomström-Lundqvist
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D061847:Hospitals, High-Volume / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D061846:Hospitals, Low-Volume / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009872:Operating Room Technicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010819:Physician's Role; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013038:Specialization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives
keywords: Catheter ablation; EHRA survey; EP wire; Electrophysiology laboratory; Equipment; Facilities; Personnel; Techniques; Training