The Health Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has published a statement online in the Heart Rhythm Journal reaffirming the important role of electrophysiologists in cardiac ablation treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF).
Catheter ablation for AF is a treatment option intended to help maintain a normal heart rhythm and reduce arrhythmia-related symptoms. And, as stated in a recent HRS press release, the “revolutionary work” of cardiac electrophysiology (EP) physicians, scientists and industry has led to ablation techniques becoming increasingly safe and more effective.
“The prevalence of AF is startling. Alongside our members and partner organisations, we are committed to ensuring consistent and quality care for AF management,” said HRS president Kenneth Ellenbogen (Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA). “EP endpoints remain essential to the success of AF ablation. This statement emphasises and reaffirms the foundational principles of AF ablation aimed at optimal long-term outcomes for patients suffering from [the condition].”
As per the organisation’s recent release, HRS “maintains its position” that physicians performing catheter AF ablation must complete formal training in cardiac EP—advanced EP fellowship training to achieve board-eligible or board-certified status in clinical cardiac EP in the USA—and actively maintain a strong EP knowledge base and skillset.
The following are among key points outlined in the recently published HRS policy statement:
- EP testing must be performed to assess pulmonary vein electrical isolation, as the lack of complete and durable pulmonary vein electrical isolation is an important cause of recurrent AF following ablation
- Physicians who perform AF ablation must formally train and maintain skills in EP-based testing and mapping, as well as advanced ablation therapeutics
- AF ablation in a combined procedure should be done with the same comprehensive EP evaluation and endpoints as a standalone AF ablation.
