Electrophysiologic Study versus Electrocardiographic Monitoring (ESVEM): a critical appraisal

This paper reviews the Electrophysiologic Study versus Holter Monitoring (ESVEM) trial, addressing several areas of concern including potential enrollment bias, an inadequate electrophysiologic testing protocol during drug therapy, and an unexpectedly high recurrence rate in patients deemed to be controlled by either method. The paper concludes that there are insufficient data to warrant extrapolation of the ESVEM results to survivors of cardiac arrest.