Official Satellite Symposia are not part of the Heart Rhythm 2008 Official Scientific Sessions as planned by the Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Sessions Committee. Official Satellite Symposia take place on Tuesday, May 13, Wednesday, May 14, Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16.
Tuesday, May 13
7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
INTERPRETING THE UNKNOWN ELECTROGRAM
Sponsored by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME)
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Bard Electrophysiology
This educational program will be presented by a faculty of world-renowned electrophysiologists under the chairmanship of Eric N. Prystowsky, MD, FHRS. The program is divided into two parts. Part one is aimed at Fellows-in-Training and focuses on interpretation of electrograms, differential diagnosis and steps to diagnosis confirmation. Part two is aimed at a general electrophysiology audience and teaches interpretation of complex electrograms. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
THE 9th ANNUAL ESSENTIALS OF CRM THERAPY AND PATIENT MANAGEMENT
Sponsored by The Center of Excellence in Education
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Boston Scientific Corporation
This is an Allied Health Professional program designed to provide clinicians with practical knowledge on the care and management of patients with CRT devices. Faculty with extensive experience and expertise will discuss aspects of cardiac imaging, optimization and non-response related to CRT. This symposium is by invitation only and contact hours will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Visit the Boston Scientific website to learn more about this symposium.
Return to top
Wednesday, May 14
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN 3D IMAGING: PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF TODAY'S EP LAB
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Philips Medical
With the increasing number of patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias, the demand for complex treatment methods in EP is rapidly growing. 3D imaging techniques are quickly evolving, enabling electrophysiologists to add new tools that integrate with conventional recording and mapping data. The purpose of this symposium is to provide the attendees with a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in 3D imaging techniques and their use in today’s EP lab. The focus will in particular be on the complementary combination of image information from different sources (X-ray, CT, Echo…) during the diagnosis and treatment of complex ablation cases. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
HOW TO DEVELOP AN AF ABLATION PROGRAM: MAKING AF ABLATIONS WORK EFFICIENTLY IN THE REAL WORLD
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from St. Jude Medical
Topics will focus on key success factors for setting up and building a successful AF practice. This program was developed for physicians, nurses and techologists involved in the treatment of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
THE INTEGRATED EP LAB — THE FUTURE OF COMPLEX ARRHYTHMIA ABLATION
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Biosense Webster, Stereotaxis and Siemens Medical Solutions.
This accredited educational symposium has been designed to educate electrophysiologists and electrophysiology allied professionals about advancements in imaging and mapping technologies that will greatly aid electrophysiology labs in managing patients suffering with complex arrhythmias. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
THE 20th ANNUAL MICHEL MIROWSKI SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST SYMPOSIUM AND AWARD PRESENTATION
Sponsored by Medscape
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Boston Scientific CRM
This program celebrates the vision and legacy of Dr. Michel Mirowski and honors his career of unfettered scientific inquiry, pioneering research and perseverance in the face of skepticism. The Michel Mirowski Award for Excellence in Clinical Cardiology and Electrophysiology will be presented and dinner will be served during this symposium. Visit the Boston Scientific website to learn more about this symposium.
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
DEVICE THERAPY: WHAT'S CUTTING EDGE?
Sponsored by INNOVIA Education Institute
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from St. Jude Medical
Recent innovations in cardiac rhythm device therapy have gone beyond merely adding new feature sets or improving ease of programmability. Some of the novel products and trends in the industry—the “cutting edge” stuff—may change how we clinicians practice medicine. While cutting edge technology makes our lives easier, it may also bring with it new challenges, liabilities and drawbacks. This intriguing evening symposium brings together key opinion leaders to look critically at new technological frontiers and their impact on clinical practice. The symposium will address implantable device sensor technology (including multivector sensors, left atrial pressure, etc.), image integration for device therapy, the risks and realities of remote patient monitoring and intervention as well as novel (and newer) indications for device therapy. Click to register for this symposium.
(Note: symposium session was formerly titled, "The Cutting Edge in Electrophysiology: Device Therapy in the 21st Century")
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
PRODUCT INNOVATION, RELIABILITY, AND "RECALLS": THE COMBINED PHYSICIAN/INDUSTRY RESPONSIBILITY
Sponsored by Baylor Health Care System, A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Medtronic, Inc.
It is paramount that the most clinically relevant data and patient management techniques are disseminated to practitioners. Recent cardiac device advisories have provoked significant discussion and unfortunately caused confusion regarding the use of cardiac device therapy. This symposium will discuss the scientific evidence, outline best practices and provide the physician with an appropriate understanding of the issues to choose the best care for their patients and communicate the risks and benefits of cardiac device therapy. Visit the Baylor Health Care System website to learn more about this symposium
Return to top
Thursday, May 15
6:00 – 7:45 a.m.
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE BIPOLAR RF EPICARDIAL ABLATION PROCEDURE FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from AtriCure
The purpose of the symposium is to educate attendees on the latest techniques and research associated with the epicardial ablation procedure for Atrial Fibrillation. The chair and faculty will present their clinical experience relative to patient selection, operative technique and determining technical and clinical endpoints. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
6:00 – 7:45 a.m.
REMOVE BARRIERS TO YOUR EP PRACTICE GROWTH: EDUCATION OF YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIANS AND YOUR PATIENTS
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Biosense Webster, a Johnson & Johnson Company
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to achieve the following learning objectives: provide data on undersened patient population with flutter and empower attending physicians with approaches and tools to speak to the referring physicians about ablation as the treatment of choice for simple arrhythmias. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
6:00 – 7:45 a.m.
MANAGEMENT OF ARRHYTHMIAS IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE: CURRENT STATUS AND EMERGING EVIDENCE
Sponsored by Voxmedia, LLC
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from CV Therapeutics
Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy both hold an important place in the management of cardiac arrhythmias. For example, both strategies are recommended in atrial fibrillation guidelines. Heart rate vs. rhythm control for patients with atrial fibrillation has indeed been intensely studied and debated, and choice of strategy depends on a number of factors. Patients with ischemic heart disease and arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation are one such patient population. Management with drug therapy using agents such as dofetilide, sotalol and amiodarone has been recommended, however with elaboration of potentially serious side effects. Therefore, there is a clear need for drugs possessing greater efficacy and safety in these patients. In this symposium, current management of arrhythmias in patients with ischemic heart disease will be reviewed, with emphasis on benefit/risk to the patient, and unmet needs for development of new therapies. In addition, recent data with new pharmacologic approaches will be described, with discussion about their potential utility in patients with ischemic heart disease and different types of arrhythmia.
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
CHALLENGES FROM ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN HEART FAILURE
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Biotronik GMBH & Co. KG
This satellite symposium focuses on the complications induced by atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure. It is still unclear whether cardiac resynchronization therapy is a useful option in patients with atrial fibrillation, symptomatic heart failure, poor left ventricular function and wide QRS. Ablation of atrial fibrillation is a promising new therapy concept for an increasing number of patients. After an overview on the state-of-the-art of this therapy option, the symposium will focus on ablation and its role in patients with heart failure complicated by atrial fibrillation. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
LEAD EXTRACTION 2008: CRITICAL REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF HRS GUIDELINES
Co-sponsored by Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education and the Heart Rhythm Society
The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education acknowledges educational grants for partial support of this activity from: Gold Sponsors — Boston Scientific, Cook Vascular Incorporated, Medtronic, Inc., Spectranetics; Silver Sponsor — St. Jude Medical, Inc.; and Contributing Sponsors— Biotronik GMBH & Co. KG, ELA Medical
Transvenous lead extraction is a core technique central to the treatment of cardiovascular implantable electronic device complications. With over 4.3 million people having received implantable pacemakers, cardio-defibrillators or biventricular devices around the world, much of the major long-term morbidity associated with these devices, including infectious and vascular complications, is related to the leads. A key element to the successful treatment and improved quality of life for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and other devices are knowledgeable, skilled clinicians and surgeons who keep abreast of the latest procedural and clinical guidelines. In April 2000, “Recommendations for Extraction of Chronically Implanted Transvenous Pacing and Defibrillator Leads: Indications, Facilities, Training” (Download recommendations PDF, 64K) was published through a Heart Rhythm Society (then known as NASPE) policy statement. This satellite symposium will 1) critically review the Society Policy Statement; 2) highlight major strategies for achieving quality outcomes; and 3) prioritize content for an updated policy statement. Visit the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education website to learn more about this symposium.
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
AF & VT: EMERGING INDICATIONS AND CLINICAL DISCUSSIONS
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from St. Jude Medical
Attendees will discuss how to maximize safety and efficacy during AF treatments, as well as strategies for electrogram analysis and how to incorporate remote navigation into their practice. This program has been developed for physicians, nurses and technologists involved in the treatment of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
HEART TO HEART: AN AF OUTCOME INITIATIVE — INTERACTIVE CASE-BASED DISCUSSION
Sponsored by AHECME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from sanofi aventis
This innovative program will utilize several highly interactive formats in order to pose difficult clinical case scenarios in the field of atrial fibrillation to experts and audience members alike. Firstly, patient case information with accompanying treatment questions will be distributed to the audience prior to the meeting for peer-discussion and completion in order to determine pre-meeting opinions regarding management of patients with AF. The cases will cover complex decisions regarding indications, timing and duration of anticoagulation. Mechanisms of action, indications, guidelines, management implication of antiarrhythmic agent choices and decisions regarding recommendations for ablation and outcomes expectations will also be covered. The cases will then be reviewed live by the panel and augmented by relevant clinical data and guidelines. The panelists will discuss treatment options and evidence-based decisions for patient care during each case and utilize an audience response system to obtain additional audience feedback regarding the cases. In order to heighten the educational experience for the audience, the chair will also encourage the audience to participate in the case discussion via live questions and comments by calling on audience members to provide their opinions.
6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
EXPLORING NEW PATHWAYS IN CARDIAC STIMULATION AND RESYNCHRONIZATION
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Sorin Group Cardiac Rhythm Management (ELA Medical, Inc.)
This program will focus on new methods and tools to optimize and increase effectiveness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Speakers will share and discuss current experience and results of new approaches to multisite stimulation or targeted site lead placement. A new technology used for optimal timing in the delivery of CRT will be introduced. The Panel Discussion will compare the benefits of different approaches to CRT optimization, stimulation site vs. timing. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
Return to top
Friday, May 16
6:00 – 7:45 a.m.
CURRENT CONCEPTS IN AF MANAGEMENT
Sponsored by AHECME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Astellas Pharma, Inc.
This symposium has been designed to help the practicing clinician make sense of the current guidelines and to ensure that they are aware of new developments that will have an impact on patient care in the near future. Several clinical trials have investigated outcomes in patients with AF when managed using a rate control strategy versus a rhythm control strategy. However, it is critical that results from these trials are appropriately applied to various patient populations and conclusions from these studies are not extrapolated to patient categories beyond those studied. It is important for the physician to understand the appropriate applications of trial results in patient care. The incorporation of antiarrhythmic therapy into the management of the patient with AF is outlined in algorithmic fashion in the ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines. The mechanisms of action and clinical outcomes for each agent were of paramount consideration in constructing these guidelines in order to maximize the safe application of these agents. New agents with different mechanisms of action are on the horizon and will affect patient management for choices in cardioversion and long-term therapy. This program will discuss the various emerging agents in terms of their mechanisms of action and outcomes of recent clinical trials in order to update physicians regarding potential changes in management. Similarly, the use of non-pharmacologic therapy has an important role in the management of patients with AF, and the options of surgery and ablation will be reviewed. Specific clinical indications for selection of these approaches are also outlined in the guidelines, and these will be discussed in the presentation. Furthermore, the different methods of ablation will be reviewed. It is critical for the electrophysiologist to be up to date regarding appropriate trial interpretation, use of antiarrhythmics and non-pharmacologic management approaches to AF.
6:00 – 7:45 a.m.
HOW TO MANAGE HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WITH CRT DEVICES
Sponsored by NACCME
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Biotronik GMBH & Co. KG
Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an established therapy concept for patients with symptomatic heart failure, poor left ventricular function and wide QRS; however, there are many practical questions on how to manage these patients in clinical routine. This satellite symposium focuses on open questions like the role of documented mechanical dyssynchrony in the process of patient selection and whether AV and VV delay otpimization is really necessary for every patient. The discussion concludes with the impact of automated continuous remote monitoring on the routine clinical follow up of patients with cardiac resynchronization devices. Visit the NACCME website for details on this symposium.
6:00 – 7:45 a.m.
SAVING LIVES WITH THE WEARABLE DEFIBRILLATOR
Sponsored by Medcom
Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from ZOLL Medical Corporation
Automatic defibrillation is an established therapy for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Those at particularly high risk can be identified with current assessment methods. Transitory sudden death risk can be effectively mitigated while the need for permanent plantation is determined.
Return to top
