Advances in implantable cardiac electronic devices and cardiac electrophysiology

Abstract

O ver the last decade, there have been major advances in both the development and the practical application of new technology in the fields of cardiac implantable electronic devices and cardiac electrophysiology, both diagnostic and interventional. The number and type of patients who can be treated effectively has changed enormously. This Special Edition of the Journal explores these advances, and highlights the current roles for these procedures and devices in patient management. It draws together 12 articles on implantable electronic devices and on electrophysiology mapping and catheter ablation techniques. The first article by Mond et al. [1] examines the pioneering achievements of Australians in developing and applying pacing technology. This complements a recent article on the history of pacing in New Zealand [2], and emphasises the breadth of innovative talent present in Australasia in the early days of cardiac pacing. This talent for developing cutting-edge technology has continued to influence developments. How far device technologies and their potential clinical applications have come, especially in the last decade, is highlighted in the ensuing articles. Crozier and Smith [3] describe exciting and ingenious new technologies that are likely to have increasing use in the next few years. Topics include leadless cardiac pacing, subcutaneous defibrillators, cardiac contraction modulation, and heart failure monitors. The articles by Corcoran and Davis [4] and Tan et al. [5] put in perspective the evidence base for use of cardiac implantable electronic devices for arrhythmias and heart failure respectively, as well as the options available for device treatment of bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias and heart failure. The remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices as described by Young [6] is going to revolutionise device follow-up and will be a major advance for patients, particularly those unable to attend formal