• Exam Preparation & Study Tips
• Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy Physician and Allied Professional Recommended Reading List
• Cardiac Electrophysiology Physician and Allied Professional Recommended Reading List

Disclaimer

Exam candidates should be aware the IBHRE exams are not written according to any single text. The reading lists and resources referenced by IBHRE are recommended guides for exam candidates. The list of recommended resources promoted by IBHRE is not exclusive and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed means of passing the exam. 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.

IBHRE does not recommend any one course of study or means of preparing for the exam over another. Due to its relationship with the Heart Rhythm Society, IBHRE promotes the HRS Online Self-Assessment programs but does not endorse them as the sole recommended resources for exam preparation. Completing HRS education and exam preparation programs does not guarantee success on the exam. Independent organizations that sponsor review courses for the purpose of preparing candidates for the IBHRE exams are free to do so as long as the IBHRE name and licensed marks are not misrepresented.

Study Tips

IBHRE offers the following tips to candidates planning to take any of the IBHRE certification exams:

1. Refer to your experience in the field, drawing from on-the-job training and clinical experience in implant procedures and EP studies.
2. Review the Exam Blueprint (Content Outline) for a comprehensive outline of the content that will appear on the exam. The Blueprint includes the percentage of the exam each content area will cover.
3. Review the IBHRE Recommended Reading lists as a reference of pertinent texts.
4. Consult at least one textbook on general pacing/defibrillation or electrophysiology and a variety of review articles and reports on major clinical trials.
5. Study pertinent articles in PACE (Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology) and JCE (Journal of Cardiac Electrophysiology)
6. Seek out articles concerning arrhythmias (particularly review articles) in major cardiology journals from over the past five years.
7. Take the Computer-Based Testing Tutorial prior to exam day to become familiar with the exam format and the functionality of the computerized caliper and calculator tools.

Questions? E-mail or call us at (202) 464-3400.

Candidates taking the Certification Examination of Competency in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Physician or Allied Professional are expected to have broad knowledge in three general areas:

1. Basic science as it applies to cardiac pacing and device management of tachyarrhythmias, which 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.), knowledge of pacemaker and device timing cycles, tachycardia detection and therapy and cardiac resynchronization therapy.
    

3. Clinical practice and indications for pacing and use of cardiac implantable electronic devices (monitoring, complications, drug effects, programming and results), electrocardiography, troubleshooting and radiology. This material may be found in journals and books on cardiac pacing, as well as through hands on clinical practice.

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

The following texts are recommended by IBHRE as possible resources for exam preparation. The lists below are not exclusive as other texts may also prove useful for the purpose of exam preparation. By listing the texts below, IBHRE does not imply that all texts should be consulted in preparation for the exam. Familiarity with any or all of these texts does not guarantee successful completion of the exam.

Updated 2012

Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy Core Reading List Recommendations

The Heart Rhythm Society’s Clinical Documents

Candidates taking the Certification Examination of Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Physician and Allied Professional 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 ablation and interventional management of arrhythmias, the electrocardiography, mechanism of drug management of arrhythmias, and cardiac implantable electronic devices.

3. Clinical practice, which includes the assessment, evaluation, diagnosis of arrhythmia, risk stratification and the management of syncope. This knowledge can be derived from hands on clinical practice and from reading journals and books concerning electrophysiology of arrhythmias.

4. Pediatric candidates should start with a broad knowledge of general basic and clinical electrophysiology concepts cited above. In addition, candidates should have an understanding of developmental aspects of electrophysiology, the natural history of various heart rhythm disorders, a firm knowledge of the electrophysiology of congenital heart disease, and in depth knowledge of the indications for various procedures and how these guidelines change depending on age and heart size.

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

The following texts are recommended by IBHRE as possible resources for exam preparation. The lists below are not exclusive as other texts may also prove useful for the purpose of exam preparation. By listing the texts below, IBHRE does not imply that all texts should be consulted in preparation for the exam. Familiarity with any or all of these texts does not guarantee successful completion of the exam.

Updated 2012

Cardiac Electrophysiology Core Reading List Recommendations

Cardiac Electrophysiology Extended Recommended Reading List Recommendations

Cardiac Electrophysiology Reading List Recommendations for the Physician EP Pediatric Module

Japanese Language Publications

中国的: Chinese Language Publications for Cardiac Electrophysiology – Coming Soon!

The Heart Rhythm Society’s Clinical Documents

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