FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ann-Marie White
Heart Rhythm Society
(202) 464-3476
awhite@hrsonline.org

The article “Association of Physician Certification and Outcomes Among Patients Receiving an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator” was published in the April 22nd issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). In response to this article, the Heart Rhythm Society would like to reiterate its position on the positive correlation between electrophysiology certification and improved outcomes following ICD implantation.

The new research directly relates electrophysiology training to improved patient outcomes. The study used cases submitted to the ICD Registry™ which was created by the Heart Rhythm Society and the American College of Cardiology Foundation to collect detailed information on ICD implantations to assess and improve the care of patients receiving ICDs for primary prevention therapy.

The authors compared patient outcomes based on the certification status of the implanting physician: electrophysiologist, nonelectrophysiologist cardiologist, thoracic surgeon and other specialists. Overall implantations by a nonelectrophysiologist were associated with a higher risk of procedural complications compared to ICDs implanted by an electrophysiologist. Patients of nonelectrophysiologists were also less likely to receive a CRT-D device when indicated compared to patients of electrophysiologists.

“This important study confirms the Society’s position that trained and experienced electrophysiologists are best equipped to provide optimal care for patients who need life-saving ICD or CRT-D therapy,” said N.A. Mark Estes, president of the Heart Rhythm Society. “Specialized training enables physicians to not only implant devices with a lower risk of procedural complications, but also select the most appropriate device-based therapy for each patient.”

The analysis also examined the geographic distribution of ICD implants, and found that the majority of ICD implants performed by nonelectrophysiologists took place at or relatively near hospitals in which an electrophysiologist also implanted ICDs.

The Heart Rhythm Society is the only organization uniquely positioned to accurately address the changing and complex issues related to the treatment of heart rhythm disorders. The Society strongly recommends that all physicians and credentialing bodies follow the training guidance found in the ACC/ACP/AHA/HRS Recommendations for Training in Adult Cardiovascular Medicine Core Cardiology Training (COCATS) 3: Task Force 6 Training in Specialized Electrophysiology, Cardiac Pacing, and Arrhythmia Management. 

The full JAMA article is available for review on the JAMA website.

About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of more than 5,000 heart rhythm professionals in more than 65 countries around the world.