Electrophysiology in the Developing World: Challenges and Opportunities

As a subset of the growing epidemic of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), the significant burdens of heart rhythm disorders also increase. Effective diagnostic and treatment modalities exist, but financial resources and expertise are limited. Cost-effective strategies exist to address most of these limitations, but many surmountable barriers need to be overcome to introduce and improve electrophysiologic care in LMICs. In this article, current and potential solutions are offered for the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of managing bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias.