The EHRA White Book

Abstract

The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in observance to its mission - To improve the quality of life of the European population by reducing the impact of cardiac arrhythmias and reduce sudden cardiac death – is proudly announcing the launch of a Supplement to EP Europace Journal dedicated to the EHRA White Book entitled: Statistics on the Use of Cardiac Electronic Devices and Electrophysiological Procedures in the ESC 54 countries: 2012 Report from the European Heart Rhythm Association . The report represents a structured analysis of data collected in the EHRA White Book, an important monograph published by EHRA since 2008. The current report brings together the most up-to-date statistics on electrophysiological procedures including the implantation of cardiovascular electronic devices in the 54 ESC countries and includes all data of the first five Editions of the EHRA White Book. The report has been arranged to present the full information about the historical perspective of the EHRA White Book, the methodological aspects of the data collection and analysis of major treatments of heart rhythm disorders: Implantable Pulse Generators (IPGs), Implantable Cardioverter Defibrilators (ICDs), Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRTs) and Catheter Ablation Procedures. Moreover, the increasing relevance of societal and economic implications of life-saving therapies led EHRA to give particular emphasis to them in a section of the current report. The figures and tables of this report speak by themselves and clearly highlight significant inequalities in healthcare In Europe, with an additional very large treatment gradient from West to East. These inequalities in healthcare are not specific of one treatment but equally apply to all therapies considered in the EHRA White Book. Barrier to access to different therapies are not only represented by the heterogeneous reimbursement system in ESC countries or by other country-specific …