[Where are done electrophysiology procedures in France and what is the expected evolution ?]

Interventional rhythmology activity (electrophysiology and pacing) has progressed in France during the last decade. The objective of this article was to assess the distribution of this activity depending on the type of centre (public, university or non-university, private). As the French government issued a new regulation regarding rhythmology activity in 2022, the impact of this regulation on activity distribution has been evaluated.

All French data activity can be evaluated after accessing to a national database called PMSI [Programme de médicalisation des systèmes d'information]. Based on data collected in year 2019, the level of activity of the different centres, and the impact of the new criteria of the French regulation regarding rhythmology activity have been analysed.

About 180,000 arrhythmias interventions have been done in France in 2019 in 377 centres. According to the new criteria of the French regulation, only 76% responded to level A (diagnostic electrophysiology, single- and dual-chamber pacing), 52% for level B (A+ right atrial ablation, implantable automatic defibrillator, cardiac resynchronisation therapy) and 54% for level C (B + left atrial and ventricular ablation).

This work showed that approximately a quarter of the centres do not meet criteria for level A activity, and approximately half of them for levels B and C. The priority will be to reinforce existing centres before allowing new centres to perform arrhythmias management activity in France.