Cardiac Pacing for the Clinician

Since the publication of the first edition of Cardiac Pacing for the Clinician, the use of implantable cardiac devices has expanded rapidly. Certain classes of devices such as implantable loop recorders and cardiac resynchronization pacing systems were not commonly used when the first edition was published, and recent studies have shown that implantable cardioverter defibrillators are beneficial in large, previously unrecognized patient populations at risk for sudden death. In order to meet this demand, cardiologists without special training in electrophysiology or pacing are implanting an increasing number of cardiac devices. It is in this rapidly evolving setting that Cardiac Pacing for the Clinician, Second Edition is being undertaken.

The main focus of this volume will be to provide a practical discussion of the “nuts and bolts” of implantable cardiac devices. The target audience will be cardiologists in practice and in training as well as nurses, technologists and industry. In addition, it will benefit physicians preparing for certification.

Additions to the new edition will include: Chapters discussing new cardiac devices; Implantation of Left Ventricular Leads for Cardiac Resynchronization Pacing Systems; Identification of Candidates for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; Follow-Up Issues in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy; Implantable Loop Recorders.

Updates to the existing chapters will include: New Trial Information & Follow-Up of the Newest Generation of Defibrillators; Use of Defibrillators in Patients at Increased Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death due to Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome and Congenital Heart Disease; Updates to Lead Extraction – New Techniques and Tools; Cardiac Pacing chapter will shift focus to Cardiac Devices.

This new edition of Cardiac Pacing for the Clinician, Second Edition will become a valuable resource to the general cardiologist and cardiology fellow by providing practicalinformation for managing patients with complex cardiac devices.

Cardiac implanted devices provide not only therapy but also information on the clinical status of a patient. While beneficial, this increasing complexity also means that all clinicians must be knowledgeable about device function, indications for device use, and device follow-up. The second edition of Cardiac Pacing for the Clinician will provide a succinct, yet comprehensive reference for the implantation and follow-up of implantable cardiac rhythm devices. It is intended to be a practical guide for the day-to-day management of these increasingly complex devices, and is intended for all physicians caring for patients with cardiac implanted devices.

Fred M. Kusumoto, M.D., is Associate Professor of Medicine, Director Electrophysiology and Pacing Service, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.

Nora F. Goldschlager, M.D., is Professor of Clinical Medicine, Co-Director Cardiology Division, Director, Pacemaker Clinic, ECG Laboratory and Coronary Care Unit, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California.