title: Opportunities and challenges of current electrophysiology research: a plea to establish 'translational electrophysiology' curricula.
abstract: Cardiac electrophysiology has evolved into an important subspecialty in cardiovascular medicine. This is in part due to the significant advances made in our understanding and treatment of heart rhythm disorders following more than a century of scientific discoveries and research. More recently, the rapid development of technology in cellular electrophysiology, molecular biology, genetics, computer modelling, and imaging have led to the exponential growth of knowledge in basic cardiac electrophysiology. The paradigm of evidence-based medicine has led to a more comprehensive decision-making process and most likely to improved outcomes in many patients. However, implementing relevant basic research knowledge in a system of evidence-based medicine appears to be challenging. Furthermore, the current economic climate and the restricted nature of research funding call for improved efficiency of translation from basic discoveries to healthcare delivery. Here, we aim to (i) appraise the broad challenges of translational research in cardiac electrophysiology, (ii) highlight the need for improved strategies in the training of translational electrophysiologists, and (iii) discuss steps towards building a favourable translational research environment and culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dennis H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul G A
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Volders
authors.affiliation: National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Heart Science Centre, Harefield, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kohl
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frits W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Prinzen
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienzeand, Università degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaza
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilians University Hospital, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kääb
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oto
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands schotten@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schotten
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D054849:Cardiac Electrophysiology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D049490:Systems Biology / Q000193:education; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards
keywords: Arrhythmia; Biological models; Cellular electrophysiology; Curriculum; Electrophysiology; Training; Translational research