Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are electronic devices installed in the chest to prevent sudden death caused by abnormally fast heart rhythms. Cardiac electrophysiologists are the physicians usually responsible for implanting and maintaining these devices. The technology for ICDs is rapidly evolving, and the articles in this issue will help electrophysiologists to keep up to date with the current generation of ICDs, including selection of patients who are appropriate for the device, monitoring patients after the device is implanted, and troubleshooting problems with the device.

Cardiac electrophysiologists have many options for treating arrhythmias, including catheter ablation and implantable cardiac defibrillators. Antiarrhythmic agents, which are pharmaceutical agents used to suppress fast rhythms of the heart (cardiac arrhythmias), represent another treatment option. This issue summarizes the most current thinking on the role of pharmaceuticals in relation to other types of treatment, helping electrophysiologists to determine the best method for managing their patients.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are electronic devices installed in the chest to prevent sudden death caused by abnormally fast heart rhythms. Cardiac electrophysiologists are the physicians usually responsible for implanting and maintaining these devices.? The technology for ICDs is rapidly evolving, and the articles in this issue will help electrophysiologists to keep up to date with the current generation of ICDs, including selection of patients who are appropriate for the device, monitoring patients after the device is implanted, and troubleshooting problems with the device.

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This issue is a valuable tool to help electrophysiologists interpret complex ECGs so they can better understand arrhythmia mechanisms. Organized by cases, this issue illustrates many of the classic electrocardiographic findings and phenomena that every electrophysiologist should know. Study of this issue demonstrates a systematic way to analyze arrhythmia mechanisms.

Hypertensive heart disease, the number one cause of death associated with hypertension, refers to coronary artery disease, heart failure, and enlargement of the heart that occurs because of high blood pressure. This issue summarizes the current state-of-the-art in diagnosing, treating, and preventing this potentially fatal disease so that cardiologists can offer the best current treatment to their patients.

This concise text presents best practices for all aspects of atrial fibrillation ablation as outlined in the new version of the VeniceChart International Consensus document, which is presented in conjunction with the biannual Venice Arrhythmias conference. In addition to discussing the latest in a-fib ablation research, this 2011 update covers all the key areas of therapy and patient management, including: • Techniques and technologies • Procedural endpoints • Patient management pre-, peri- and post-ablation • Prevention and treatment of complications • Definition of success and long-term results With contributions from the world’s recognized thought leaders in this field, this book is a highly valuable source of information not only for specialists in electrophysiology, but also for general cardiologists, fellows in cardiology and others interested in this dynamic and increasingly important topic.