Current status of pediatric electrophysiology in Latin America: a LAHRS survey

Abstract

Over the last years, pediatric electrophysiology (EP) has evolved as a consolidated subspecialty of pediatric cardiology. In the USA, Canada, and Europe, there is a clear picture of the status of pediatric EP, but the situation in Latin America is largely unknown. A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was performed. A survey was conducted by the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society in Spanish and Portuguese to assess the status of development of pediatric EP across Latin American countries. There are physicians practicing pediatric EP in 11 Latin American countries. The scope of the practices includes clinical and non-invasive EP as well as performing invasive EP procedures. All the current pediatric EP interventions are performed in most of Latin American countries. Pediatric electrophysiology is present as a subspecialty in half of the countries in Latin America, and all the current electrophysiology procedures and therapeutic technologies are available in most Latin American countries.