Heart Failure Management and Monitoring

This activity features a compilation of didactic lectures from Heart Rhythm 2011 that center on the management and monitoring of patients suffering from heart failure (CHF). The activity presentations are supplemented by a Clinical Brief, a convenient one-page, printable document that provides a high level snapshot of device technologies as well as research and trial data related to heart failure. CME and CE credits are available to users who participate in this activity.

Following completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

Defend the rationale for implantable monitoring for management of patients with heart failure

Discuss the potential benefits of implantable monitoring for management of patients with heart failure

Identify and describe the implantable monitoring technologies currently in use or being developed for management of patients with heart failure

Identify components of a medical regimen that significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure

List the risk factors for sudden cardiac death other than ejection fraction

List and describe several of the implantable hemodynamic monitors now in development and how to optimize their benefit

Date of Release: July 18, 2011
Term of Approval: July 17, 2012

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of:

Medical Therapies for Heart Failure as a Means to Reduce Sudden Cardiac Death
JoAnn Lindenfeld, MD
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

When is Primary Prevention of SCD Most Effective?
Justin Ezekowitz, MBBCh, MSc
University of Alberta

Pulmonary Arterial and Left Atrial Pressure Monitoring
Philip B. Adamson, MD
Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Heart Failure Institute

Future Developments in HF Monitoring Using CIEDs
Dwight W. Reynolds, MD, FHRS
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Implantable Monitoring Should Become the Preferred Management Tool in Heart Failure
Philip B. Adamson, MD
Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Heart Failure Institute

Is Implantable Hemodynamic Monitoring Ready for Prime Time?
Jonathan G. Howlett, MD
Foothills Medical Centre and University of Calgary

Presentation Summaries (PDF, 77KB)

The Update on Device Technologies for Monitoring Heart Failure Clinical Brief reviews currently available diagnostic tools as well as novel implantable devices specifically developed to measure left ventricular filling pressures or pulmonary arterial pressures. Early studies of the latter systems appear promising in their attempt to improve the outpatient management of heart failure.

It is the policy of the Heart Rhythm Society to ensure balance, independent objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its certified educational programs. Everyone involved in the planning and participation of continuing medical education activities are required to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentations and also disclose discussions of unlabeled/unapproved drugs or devices during their presentations. In accordance with the ACCME's Standards for Commercial Support of Continuing Medical Education, all faculty and planning partners must disclose any financial relationship(s) or other relationship(s) held within the past 12 months. The Heart Rhythm Society implements a mechanism to identify and resolve all conflicts of interest prior to delivering the educational activity to learners. Detailed disclosure information will be disclosured prior to the activity and in the activity slides.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Philip B. Adamson, MD.
Consulting fees/Honoraria: CardioMEMS, Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical; Speaker's Bureau: Boston Scientific, Corp., Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical.

Justin Ezekowitz, MBBCh, MSc
No financial relationships or relationships to products or devices with any commercial interest related to the content of this activity of any amount during the past 12 months.

Jonathan G. Howlett, MD
Consulting Fees/Honoraria: Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Medtronic, Inc., Novonordisk, Servier.

JoAnn Lindenfeld, MD
Consulting fees/Honoraria: Boston Scientific, Corp., Medtronic, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., St. Jude Medical; Research Grants: Medtronic, Inc., Medwaves, Inc.

Dwight W. Reynolds, MD, FHRS
Consulting Fees/Honoraria: Medtronic, Inc., Sorin Group, St. Jude Medical; Research Grants: BIOTRONIK, Medtronic, Inc.

The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity: The following Volunteer Working Group planners disclose:

Alan Cheng, MD, FHRS
Consulting Fees/Honoraria: BIOTRONIK, Boston Scientific, Corp., Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical

Ann C. Garlitski, MD, FHRS
Research Grants: St. Jude Medical

Lynda E. Rosenfeld, MD, FHRS
Fellowship Support: Boston Scientific, Corp., Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical

Bruce S. Stambler, MD, FHRS
Consulting Fees/Honoraria: Boston Scientific, Corp., Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical; Research Support: BIOTRONIK, Boston Scientific, Corp., Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical; Speaker's Bureau: BIOTRONIK, Boston Scientific, Corp., St. Jude Medical

The following Heart Rhythm Society planners and managers: Cynthia R. Roller and Zelda Gilliam hereby state that they or their spouse/life partner do not have any financial relationships or relationships to products or devices with any commercial interest related to the content of this activity of any amount during the past 12 months.

The Heart Rhythm Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Heart Rhythm Society designates this enduring educational activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The AMA has determined that physicians not licensed in the USA who participate in this CME activity are eligible for PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

The Heart Rhythm Society is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

It has been assigned code: 7M7R3X-PRV-09-29

A maximum of 2.0 credit hours are available for this educational activity.

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period July 18, 2011 through July 17, 2012 participants must read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures and study the educational activity. If you wish to receive acknowledgment for completing this activity, please download and complete the post-test and evaluation and follow the instructions below:

Download the Heart Failure Management and Monitoring CME Evaluation and Post-Test (PDF, 74KB)

Complete all required fields

Scan and email the completed document to Charisse Diggins of the Society's Education Department

Fax the completed document to (202) 464-3401 c/o Charisse Diggins of the Education Department

If you have successfully passed the Post-Test a CME or CE certificate will be mailed to you

Date of Release: July 18, 2011
Term of Approval: July 17, 2012

The Heart Rhythm Society provides a forum for the open exchange and discussion of research results and scientific advancements in the field of cardiovascular pacing and electrophysiology; however, the Society makes no representation or warranty as to the truth, originality, or accuracy of the information presented in this program. Nor are the views expressed by the individual speakers necessarily the views of the Society. The Heart Rhythm Society supports the ACCME's policy on evidence-based content and encourages faculty to adhere to these standards when planning a presentation.

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The Heart Rhythm Society acknowledges an educational grant from the following company in support of this educational activity: