A core curriculum for the continuing professional development of nurses: Developed by the Education Committee on behalf of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions of the ESC.

Background: The European Society of Cardiology and the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions share a vision; to decrease the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe. Nurses represent the largest sector of the health professional workforce and have a significant contribution to make, which has not yet been fully realised. Recent evidence highlights an association between the level of nurse education and inpatient mortality making this an important topic, particularly as the provision of nurse education in Europe is variable.

Comparison of male and female psychological outcomes related to implantable cardioverter defibrillators (COMFORTID).

Background: While randomised, controlled trials have established the efficacy of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for primary and secondary prevention of life threatening arrhythmias, psychosocial responses remain complex and poorly understood, especially across Europe. There appears to be a greater need to understand differences in the experience of men and women.

Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to explore differences in psychosocial adjustment over a 12 month period following ICD implantation.