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Reading Lists
Cardiac RHYTHM DEVICE THERAPY SUGGESTED Reading List for the Physician and the ALLIed Professional

“Certification Examination of Competency in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy” for the Physician and Allied Professional

Candidates are expected to have broad knowledge in three general areas:

  1. Basic science as it applies to cardiac pacing and device management of tachyarrhythmias includes the basic concepts of anatomy, physiology, electrophysiology of conduction and stimulation, the mechanisms of bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias, and pathophysiology and pharmacology as they pertain to implantable devices.
     

  2. Applied science and technology, which includes pulse generator and lead (electrode) design and function, the basic concepts of sensing (cardiac and extracardiac signals, crosstalk), stimulation (Ohm’s Law, the strength duration curve, impedance, etc.) and knowledge of pacemaker and device timing cycles.
     

  3. Clinical practice, which includes indications for pacing and use of implantable antitachycardia devices (monitoring, complications, drug effects, programming and results), electrocardiography and radiology. This material may be found in journals and books on cardiac pacing.

In preparing for the IBHRE Exam, it is recommended that you consult at least one general pacing/defibrillation textbook and a significant array of review articles and reports of major clinical trials. In addition, candidates are encouraged to study pertinent articles in PACE (Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology) and JCE (Journal of Cardiac Electrophysiology).

Please be aware that the IBHRE Exam is not written after any single text. The reading list that follows is provided as a guide for your IBHRE Exam preparations. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all excellent references in cardiac pacing and defibrillation. Likewise, there is no guarantee that the answers to all IBHRE Exam questions will be found within these references. It is also possible that the references listed may have perceptions which differ from those of IBHRE. For purposes of the examination, the IBHRE interpretation will prevail.

The individual articles below focus on the trials concerning defibrillation, since pacing trials are better covered in the textbooks.

IBHRE Pacing Reading List 2006

Major Textbooks

  1. Ellenbogen KA, Kay GN, Wilkoff BL, Lau CP. Clinical Cardiac Pacing and Defibrillation. 3 ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 2006

  2. Hayes DL, Lloyd MA, Friedman RA. Cardiac Pacing and Defibrillation: A Clinical Approach. Mount Kisco, NY: Futura, 2000.

 Other Books

  1. Ellenbogen, KA, and  Wood,MA. Cardiac Pacing and ICDs, third edition. Malden MA: Blackwell Science, Inc.

  2. Barold SS, Stroobandt RX, Sinnaeve AF, Cardiac Pacemakers Step by Step: An Illustrated Guide. Mount Kisco, NY: Futura, 2004.

 Defibrillation

  1. Kadish A, Dyer A, Daubert JP, Quigg R, Estes NA, Anderson KP, Calkins H, Hoch D, Goldberger J, Shalaby A, Sanders WE, Schaechter A, Levine JH. Defibrillators in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Treatment Evaluation (DEFINITE) Investigators. Prophylactic Defibrillator Implantation in Patients With Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. New England Journal of Medicine. 350(21):2151-8, 2004. 

  2. Bristow MR. Saxon LA. Boehmer J. Krueger S. Kass DA. De Marco T. Carson P. DiCarlo L. DeMets D. White BG. DeVries DW. Feldman AM. Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing, and Defibrillation in Heart Failure (COMPANION) Investigators. Cardiac-Resynchronization Therapy With or Without an Implantable Defibrillator in Advanced Chronic Heart Failure. New England Journal of Medicine. 350(21):2140-50, 2004.

  3. Wathen MS, Sweeney MO, DeGroot PJ, Stark AJ, Koehler JL, Chisner MB, Machado C, Adkisson WO. PainFREE Investigators. Shock Reduction Using Antitachycardia Pacing for Spontaneous Rapid Ventricular Tachycardia in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease. Circulation. 104(7):796-801, 2001.

  4. Moss AJ, Hall WJ, Cannom DS, Daubert JP, Higgins SL, Klein H, Levine, JH, Saksena S, Waldo AL, Wilber D, Brown MW, Heo M. Improved Survival With an Implanted Defibrillator in Patients With Coronary Disease at High Risk for Ventricular Arrhythmia. Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial Investigators. New England Journal of Medicine 1996; 335(26):1933-1940.

  5. Moss AJ, Zareba W, Hall WJ, Klein H, Wilber DJ, Cannom DS, Daubert JP, Higgins SL. Prophylactic Implantation of a Defibrillator in Patients With Myocardial Infarction and Reduced Ejection Fraction. New England Journal of Medicine 2002; 346(12): 877-883.

  6. A Comparison of Antiarrhythmic-Drug Therapy With Implantable Defibrillators in Patients Resuscitated From Near-Fatal Ventricular Arrhythmias. The Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators (AVID) Investigators. New England Journal of Medicine 1997; 337(22): 1576-1583.

  7. Causes of Death in the Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators (AVID) Trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1999; 34(5): 1552-1559.

  8. Domanski MJ, Saksena S, Epstein AE, Hallstrom AP, Brodsky MA, Kim S, Lancaster S. Relative Effectiveness of the Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator and Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Patients With Varying Degrees of Left Ventricular Dysfunction Who Have Survived Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmias. AVID Investigators. Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1999; 34(4): 1090-1095.

  9. Schron EB, Exner DV, Yao Q, Jenkins LS, Steinberg JS, Cook JR, Kutalek SP, Friedman PL, Bubien RS, Page RL, Powell J. Quality of Life in the Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators Trial: Impact of Therapy and Influence of Adverse Symptoms and Defibrillator Shocks. Circulation 2002; 105(5): 589-594.

  10. Larsen G, Hallstrom A, McAnulty J, Pinski S, Olarte A, Sullivan S, Brodsky M, Powell J. Cost-Effectiveness of the Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Versus Antiarrhythmic Drugs in Survivors of Serious Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias: Results of the Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable. Circulation 2002; 105(17): 2049-2057.

  11. Lee KL, Hafley G, Fisher JD, Gold MR, Prystowsky EN, Talajic M, Josephson ME, Packer DL, Buxton AE, Multicenter Unsustained Tachycardia Trial Investigators. Effect of Implantable Defibrillators on Arrhythmic Events and Mortality in the Multicenter Unsustained Tachycardia Trial. Circulation 2002; 106(2): 233-238.

  12. Buxton AE, Lee KL, DiCarlo L, Echt DS, Fisher JD, Greer GS, Josephson ME, Packer D, Prystowsky EN, Talajic M. Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia in Coronary Artery Disease: Relation to Inducible Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia. MUSTT Investigators. Annals of Internal Medicine 1996; 125(1): 35-39.

  13. Buxton AE, Lee KL, Fisher JD, Josephson ME, Prystowsky EN, Hafley G. A Randomized Study of the Prevention of Sudden Death in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease. New England Journal of Medicine 1999; 341(25): 1882-1890.

  14. Buxton AE, Lee KL, Fisher JD, Josephson ME, Prystowsky EN, Hafley G. A Randomized Study of the Prevention of Sudden Death in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease. Multicenter Unsustained Tachycardia Trial Investigators. New England Journal of Medicine 1999; 341(25): 1882-1890.

  15. Buxton AE, Lee KL, DiCarlo L, Gold MR, Greer GS, Prystowsky EN, O'Toole MF, Tang A, Fisher JD, Coromilas J, Talajic M, Hafley G. Electrophysiologic Testing to Identify Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Who Are at Risk for Sudden Death. Multicenter Unsustained Tachycardia Trial Investigators. New England Journal of Medicine 2000; 342(26): 1937-1945.

  16. Maron BJ, Shen WK, Link MS, Epstein AE, Almquist AK, Daubert JP, Bardy GH, Favale S, Rea RF, Boriani G, Estes NA, III, Spirito P. Efficacy of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators for the Prevention of Sudden Death in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. New England Journal of Medicine 2000; 342(6): 365-373.

Pacing

  1. Gregoratos G, Abrams J, Epstein AE, Freedman RA, Hayes DL, Hlatky MA, Kerber RE, Naccarelli GV, Schoenfeld MH, Silka MJ, Winters SL, Gibbons RJ, Antman EM, Alpert JS, Gregoratos G, Hiratzka LF, Faxon DP, Jacobs AK, Fuster V, Smith SC, Jr., Committee M, Task FM. ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices: Summary Article: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (ACC/AHA/NASPE Committee to Update the 1998 Pacemaker Guidelines).   Circulation 2002; 106(16): 2145-2161.

  2. Ellenbogen KA. Cardiac Pacing. Cardiology Clinics 18, 1-239. 2000.

  3. Josephson ME, Maloney JD, Barold SS, Flowers NC, Goldschlager NF, Hayes DL et al. Guidelines for Training in Adult Cardiovascular Medicine. Core Cardiology Training Symposium (COCATS). Task Force 6: Training in Specialized Electrophysiology, Cardiac Pacing and Arrhythmia Management. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1995; 25(l): 23-26.

  4. Connolly SJ, Sheldon R, Roberts RS, Gent M. The North American Vasovagal Pacemaker Study (VPS). A Randomized Trial of Permanent Cardiac Pacing for the Prevention of Vasovagal Syncope. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1999; 33(1): 16-20.

  5. Sutton R. Guidelines for Pacemaker Follow Up. Report of a British Pacing and Electrophysiology Group (BPEG). Heart 1996; 76(5): 458-460.

  6. Connolly SJ, Kerr CR, Gent M, Roberts RS, Yusuf S, Gillis AM, Sami MH, Talajic M, Tang AS, Klein GJ, Lau C, Newman DM. Effects of Physiologic Pacing Versus Ventricular Pacing on the Risk of Stroke and Death Due to Cardiovascular Causes. Canadian Trial of Physiologic Pacing Investigators. New England Journal of Medicine 2000; 342(19): 1385-1391.

  7. Lamas GA, Lee KL, Sweeney MO, Silverman R, Leon A, Yee R, Marinchak RA, Flaker G. Ventricular Pacing or Dual-Chamber Pacing for Sinus-Node Dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine 2002; 346(24): 1854-1862.

  8. Goldschlager N, Epstein A, Friedman P, Gang E, Krol R, Olshansky B, North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE) Practice Guideline Committee. Environmental and Drug Effects on Patients With Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter/Defibrillators: A Practical Guide to Patient Treatment. Archives of Internal Medicine. 161(5):649-55, 2001.

  9. Lamas GA. Ellenbogen KA. Evidence Base for Pacemaker Mode Selection: From Physiology to Randomized Trials. Circulation. 109(4):443-51, 2004.

Biventricular Pacing

  1. Ellenbogen KA, Kay GN, Wilkoff BL (eds.), Device Therapy for Congestive Heart Failure Elsevier Science, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2004.

  2. Abraham WT, Fisher WG, Smith AL, Delurgio DB, Leon AR, Loh E, Kocovic DZ, Packer M. Cardiac Resynchronization in Chronic Heart Failure. New England Journal of Medicine 2002; 346(24): 1845-1853.

  3. Cazeau S, Leclercq C, Lavergne T, Walker S, Varma C, Linde C, Garrigue S, Kappenberger L, Haywood GA, Santini M, Bailleul C, Daubert JC, Multisite Stimulation iC. Effects of Multisite Biventricular Pacing in Patients With Heart Failure and Intraventricular Conduction Delay. New England Journal of Medicine 2001; 344(12): 873-880.

  4. Kuhlkamp V, The I. Initial Experience With an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Incorporating Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2002; 39(5): 790-797.

  5. Lozano I, Bocchiardo M, Achtelik M, Gaita F, Trappe HJ, Daoud E, Hummel J, Duby C. Impact of Biventricular Pacing on Mortality in a Randomized Crossover Study of Patients With Heart Failure and Ventricular Arrhythmias. Pacing & Clinical Electrophysiology 2000; 23(11 Pt 2): 1711-1712.

  6. Saxon LA, De Marco T, Schafer J, Chatterjee K, Kumar UN, Foster E, VIGOR C. Effects of Long-Term Biventricular Stimulation for Resynchronization on Echocardiographic Measures of Remodeling. Circulation 2002; 105(11): 1304-1310.

  7. Stellbrink C, Breithardt OA, Franke A, Sack S, Bakker P, Auricchio A, Pochet T, Salo R. Impact of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Using Hemodynamically Optimized Pacing on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure and Ventricular Conduction Disturbances. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2001; 38(7): 1957-1965.

Lead Extraction

  1. Love CJ, Wilkoff BL, Byrd CL, Belott P, Brinker J, Fearnot NE, Friedman RA, Furman S, Goode LB, Hayes DL, Kawanishi DT, Parsonnet V, Reiser C, Van AR. Recommendations for Extraction of Chronically Implanted Transvenous Pacing and Defibrillator Leads: Indications, Facilities, Training. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 2000;(23).

  2. Wilkoff BL, Byrd CL, Love CJ, Hayes DL, Sellers TD, Schaerf R, Parsonnet V, Epstein LM. Pacemaker Lead Extraction With the Laser Sheath: Results of the Pacing Lead Extraction With the Excimer Sheath (PLEXES) Trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1999; 33(6): 1671-1676.

  3. Kay GN, Brinker JA, Kawanishi DT, Love CJ, Lloyd MA, Reeves RC, Pioger G, Overland MK, Ensign LG, Grunkemeier GL. The Risks of Spontaneous Injury and Extraction of an Active Fixation Pacemaker Lead: Report of the Accufix Multicenter Clinical Study and World-Wide Registry. Circulation 1999; 100: 2344-2352.

  4. Byrd CL, Wilkoff BL, Love CJ, Sellers TD, Reiser C. Clinical Study of the Laser Sheath for Lead Extraction: The Total Experience in the United States. PACE 2002; 25(5): 804-808.

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Cardiac Electrophysiology Suggested Reading List for the Allied Professional

"Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac
Electrophysiology" for the Allied Professional

Candidates are expected to have basic knowledge in three general areas:

  1. Basic science as it applies to the management of cardiac arrhythmias, which includes the basic concepts of anatomy, physiology, electrophysiology of conduction, impulse formation, stimulation and drug response, the mechanisms of tachycardia and bradycardia, as well as the pathophysiology and pharmacology pertaining to their management.
     

  2. Applied science and technology, which includes the ablation and surgical management of arrhythmias, the electrocardiography and mechanism of drug management of arrhythmias, pulse generator and lead (electrode) design and function.
     

  3. Clinical practice, which includes the diagnosis, indications and results of arrhythmia and the management of syncope. This knowledge can derive from clinical practice and from reading journals and books concerning electrophysiology of arrhythmias.

Additionally, candidates are encouraged to consult updated position statements and guidelines posted on the Heart Rhythm Society website (http://www.hrsonline.org/).

Candidates should seek out major articles concerning arrhythmias (particularly review articles) in the major journals in cardiology over the past two decades. Pertinent articles also appear in Heart Rhythm Journal, PACE (Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology) and the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (JCE). The reading lists for both examinations in Cardiac Pacing and Cardioversion Defibrillation and that in Cardiac Electrophysiology should also be reviewed.

It must be emphasized that reading one or all of the texts or articles in the reading list cannot guarantee successful completion of the examination. No one source is utilized over another. The reading list is not all-encompassing and the exam may contain material not covered here. Additionally, the sources listed may have perceptions that differ from IBHRE. For purposes of the examination, the IBHRE interpretation will prevail.

IBHRE AP/EP Reading List 2007

**New Additions

*Updated Editions

Aliot E, Clementy J, Prystowski E. Fighting Sudden Cardiac Death: A Worldwide Challenge. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co, 2000.

Braunwald E, Zipes D, Libby P (eds). Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 7th edition. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders, 2004.

*Ellenbogen, KA, and Wood,MA. Cardiac Pacing and ICDs, 4th ed. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing, Inc., 2005.

Fisch C. Electrocardiography of Arrhythmias. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger, 1990.

*Fogoros R. Electrophysiologic Testing. 4th edition. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 2006.

Ganz L (ed). Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias. Totowa, New Jersey: Humana Press, 2002.

Gregoratos G et al. ACC/AHA/NASPE 2002 Guideline Update for Implantation of Cardiac Pacemakers and Antiarrhythmia Devices: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation 2002; 106(16):2145-2161.

*Grubb B and Olshansky B. Syncope: Mechanisms and Management, 2nd edition, Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co., 2005.

Hayes D, Lloyd M, Friedman P. Cardiac Pacing and Defibrillation: A Clinical Approach. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co, 2000.

**Hayes D, Asirvatham S. Dictionary of Cardiac Pacing, Defibrillation, Resynchronization and Arrhythmias 2nd edition. Minneapolis, MN: Cardiotext Publishing, 2007.

Hayes D, Maue-Dickson W, and Stanton M. Dictionary of Cardiac Pacing Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias. Miami Lakes, FL: Peritus Corp., 1993.

**Huang SK, Wood MA. Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmias. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders, 2006.

Huang S, Wilber D. Radiofrequency Ablation of Aardiac Arrhythmias: Basic Concepts and Clinical Applications. 2nd edition. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co, 2000.

Josephson M. Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Techniques and Interpretations. 3rd edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2002.

NOTE: OUT OF PRINT. SOMETIMES USED COPIES ARE AVAILABLE Klein G, Prystowsky E. Clinical Electrophysiology Review. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1997.

Kost M. Moderate Sedation/Analgesia. 2nd edition. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company, 2004.

Marriott H. Advanced Concepts in Arrhythmias. 3rd edition. St. Louis, MO: CV Mosby, 1998.

Naccarelli G (ed). EPSAP, Electrophysiology Self-Assessment Program. Baltimore, MD: Produced by the American College of Cardiology and Jointly Sponsored by NASPE, 1998.

Obias-Manno D, Gura M, Shea J (eds.) Electrophysiology and Device Therapy. AACN Clinical Issues 2004; 15(3): 303-497.

Ovsyshcher IE (ed). Cardiac Arrhythmias and Device Therapy: Results and Perspectives for the New Century. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co., 2000.

*Podrid PJ and Kowey RP. Cardiac Arrhythmia: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Management, 2nd edition. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 2001.

Prystowsky E and Klein G. Cardiac arrhythmias. An Integrated Approach for the Clinician. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1994.

Rodeman BJ. Conscious Sedation During Electrophysiology Testing and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 9(3): 313-324, 1997.

Rosen M, Spooner P (eds). Foundations of Cardiac Arrhythmias: Basic Concepts and Clinical Approaches. NY: Marcel Dekker, 2001.

Saksena S and Luderitz B (eds). Interventional Electrophysiology. 2nd edition. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co., 1996.

Scheinman M. Arrhythmias. Electrophysiologic Principles. Atlas of Heart Disease. Braunwald E (ed). St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 1996.

Schurig L, Gura M, and Taibi B. Educational Guidelines. Pacing and Electrophysiology. 2nd edition. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Co., 1997.

Singer I and Kupersmith J. Clinical Manual of Electrophysiology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1993.

Tawara S. The Conduction System of the Mammalian Heart: An Anatomico-Histological Study of the Atrioventricular Bundle and the Purkinje Fibers. River Edge, New Jersey: World Scientific Pub. Co, 2000.

*Zipes DP, Jalife J (eds). Cardiac Electrophysiology: From Cell to Bedside. 3rd edition. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company, 1999.

Zipes DP, DiMarco JP, Gillette PC et al. Guidelines for Clinical Intracardiac Electrophysiologic and Catheter Ablation Procedures.” ACC/AHA Task Force Report. Circulation, 92: 673-691, 1995.

Zipes DP, Haissaguerre M (eds). Catheter Ablation of Arrhythmias. 2nd edition. Armonk, NY: Futura Publishing Company, 2002.

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