Category: Electrophysiology

What If My CHA2DS2-VASc Score Is One?

There is nothing simple about atrial fibrillation; it is a complicated, often overwhelming disease, both for patient and physician. One question that invariably comes up early on is the question of prophylactic anticoagulation for prevention of stroke. Who should receive anticoagulation? Which anticoagulant? How should anticoagulation be handled around the time of surgical procedures, or… Continue reading What If My CHA2DS2-VASc Score Is One?

Introducing EP Calipers

Ever since the 1990s, when computer-based electrophysiology (EP) systems were introduced, HV intervals and ventricular tachycardia cycle lengths have been measured in the EP lab by electronic calipers — simple but accurate measurements accomplished on-screen using a track ball or a mouse. Despite this, physicians still often carry a physical pair of calipers, perhaps preserved… Continue reading Introducing EP Calipers

EP Mobile Update Version 3.6 for Apple Devices

The reviewers at the Apple iTunes App Store have approved the revised version of the EP Mobile app.  For information on why the app needed to be revised, see my earlier posts on the subject.  I removed the drug dose calculators (note though that the Warfarin Clinic module was not removed), but added detailed drug… Continue reading EP Mobile Update Version 3.6 for Apple Devices

Update on EP Mobile and Apple #2

As some of you are aware, the Apple App Store rejected an update to the EP Mobile app based on the presence of drug dose calculators in the app. The App Store guidelines state: 22.9 – Apps that calculate medicinal dosages must be submitted by the manufacturer of those medications or recognized institutions such as… Continue reading Update on EP Mobile and Apple #2

Update on EP Mobile and Apple

This is an update on my previous post which dealt with Apple’s rejection of an update to the EP Mobile app because it contained drug dose calculators. According to a clause buried in the App Store Review Guidelines (section 22.9, to be precise), 22.9 apps that calculate medicinal dosages must be submitted by the manufacturer of… Continue reading Update on EP Mobile and Apple

Who Can Write a Drug Dosage Calculator?

Several years ago I had an idea for a smartphone app that could be used to calculate doses for drugs that are prescribed frequently to patients with heart rhythm problems. These drugs include antiarrhythmics such as dofetilide and sotalol, and the new oral anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban. These drugs are handled by the… Continue reading Who Can Write a Drug Dosage Calculator?

How Much Money Do Academic Experts Get From Drug and Device Companies?

Now that Open Payments data is available to the public I decided to do some snooping around.  It’s not hard to do.  I was curious as to how much drug and device company money academic experts receive.  As a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology I have been to many national meetings, and it is always the same… Continue reading How Much Money Do Academic Experts Get From Drug and Device Companies?

What Motivates Doctors?

As a recently retired physician, I still maintain an interest in medical research, though I have to ask myself: Why? Surely not just from the point of view of a potential future patient. But not from the point of view of a practicing physician either. Perhaps I keep up just from a lifetime of habit?… Continue reading What Motivates Doctors?

Let the Sunshine In

Yesterday I received an email from Medtronic. It was an early release version of the Sunshine Act data that they had sent to the government. The Sunshine Act, passed in 2010 but implemented in 2013, demands the collection and publication of data on payments to physicians in the form of food, travel, or other goods.… Continue reading Let the Sunshine In