American College of Cardiology

Arrhythmias in the Real World 2008

Co-sponsored by:

In Cooperation with:

Program Director: Peter N. Smith, MD, FACC

Program Co-Directors: Kelley P. Anderson, MD, FACC, FHRS and Arthur J. Moss, MD, FACC

Nurse Planner: Melanie T. Gura, RN, MSN, CNS, FHRS, FAHA

September 11 - 13, 2008
Heart House
Washington, DC

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Statement of Need
Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly seen arrhythmia in clinical practice and impacts almost 2.2 million Americans. As the grandfather of all cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation accounts for the most common cause of arrhythmic hospitalizations and thromboembolic risks. Although arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence, they may also indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke, or sudden cardiac death, which accounts for 400,000 deaths per year in the United States alone.

Medical personnel, therefore, must be able to demonstrate ECG analysis as a front line skill to effectively diagnosis arrhythmias. With a renewed interest in the ablation of atrial fibrillation, electrophysiologists and surgeons must also enhance their knowledge and improve the skills necessary to optimize outcomes for patients experiencing atrial fibrillation.

Overview
Drawing on the overwhelming success of the 2007 conference, Arrhythmias in the Real World 2008 will support clinical practice and provide up-to-date and clinically relevant information on future directions in the care of the patient with cardiac arrhythmias.

Geared toward practicing clinicians across multiple disciplines, this exciting symposium will include:

• Case-based patient management discussions with audience participation
• A team approach involving electrophysiology, cardiology and nursing professionals
• Discussion of current research and strategies for treatment of arrhythmias
• Optional early-bird and evening sessions

This intense two-and-one-half day symposium will focus on:

• Providing an educational experience for all healthcare providers who specialize in cardiac rhythm management
• The best practices from the institutions who see the most cases
• Practice management and patient education models for physicians, nurses and other non-physician members of the cardiac care team
• State-of-the-art evaluation and management of patients with cardiac arrhythmias and patients with disorders that place them at high risk for cardiac arrhythmias

New this year – Submit your challenging cases to the experts.
The top cases will be presented at the conference.  Click here for more information! 

Learner Objectives
Upon completion of this program, attendees should be able to –

• Identify, evaluate and manage patients experiencing arrhythmias
• Describe the appropriate evaluation and management of patients presenting with syncope
• Employ guideline-based evaluation, risk assessment and management of the patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
• Summarize recent research in congestive heart failure with particular emphasis on the risk of arrhythmias and sudden death
• Discuss the indications, benefits and adverse consequences of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and strategies for the management of CRT non-responders
• Explain current approaches for the pre-participation evaluation and risk assessment of the patient with an arrhythmia substrate wishing to participate in competitive and noncompetitive sports

FACULTY

Program Director

Peter N. Smith, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Marshfield Clinic
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Wisconsin Medical School
Marshfield, Wis.

Program Co-Directors

Kelley P. Anderson, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.H.R.S.
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine
Marshfield Clinic
Marshfield, Wis.

Arthur J. Moss, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Professor of Medicine, Cardiology
University of Rochester Medical Clinic
Rochester, N.Y.

Nurse Planner

Melanie T. Gura, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.S., C.C.D.S., F.H.R.S., F.A.H.A.
Director, Pacemaker and Arrhythmia Services
Northeast Ohio Cardiovascular Specialists
Akron, Ohio

Invited Faculty

William T. Abraham, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C., F.A.H.A.
Director, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Nora F. Goldschlager, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Professor of Clinical Medicine
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco General Hospital
San Francisco

Frank I. Marcus, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Professor Emeritus
University of Arizona College of Medicine
University of Arizona Health Science Center
Tucson, Ariz.

Barry J. Maron, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Director, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
Minneapolis

Fred Morady, M.D., F.A.C.C.
McKay Professor of Cardiovascular Disease
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor, Mich.

DISCLOSURES
ACCF faculty, committee members, staff and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity are required to disclose all real or apparent conflicts of interest.  All relevant potential conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted through a process that includes course directors and appropriate peer review by education committee chairs/members, for fair balance, scientific objectivity and validity, patient care and safety recommendations.  ACCF staff involved with this program have nothing to disclose. Refer to the links below for committee members and faculty disclosures.

Arrhythmias in the Real World 2008

ACC Live Programs Committee (2007-2010) disclosures

AGENDA
Click here for agenda.

TARGET AUDIENCE
This program is intended for cardiovascular specialists, internists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants and other medical professionals involved in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of patients experiencing arrhythmias.

ACCREDITATION
Physicians
The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The ACCF designates this educational activity for a maximum of 21.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses
The American College of Cardiology Foundation is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

The ACCF designates this educational activity for a maximum of 21.75 continuing education hours. Each attendee should only claim credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

REGISTRATION
This program has reached maximum capacity. Please call the Resource Center at (800) 253-4636, ext 5603 for wait list information for this program.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Location
All sessions will be held at Heart House, 2400 N St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. The meeting site telephone number is (800) 253-4636.

Accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Washington Marriott, 221 22nd St., NW, Washington, DC, 20037.

To reserve your room at the Washington Marriott, please call (800) 393-3053. Identify yourself as a participant in the American College of Cardiology Foundation program – Arrhythmias in the Real World 2008.  You may also make reservations on the web at http://marriott.com/waswe?groupCode=accacca&app=resvlink

Room Rates
The room rate for the Washington Marriott, is $199 plus 12.45% state tax (subject to change) per night. ACC room block is scheduled to be held until August 20, 2008 but may sell out prior to this date. We advise you to register for the program and reserve your lodging as soon as possible. When you make your reservation, please be sure to ask about early departure fees or cancellation penalties.

LOCAL PARKING INFORMATION NEAR HEART HOUSE

FOR THURSDAY and FRIDAY:  The nearest offsite parking garage is located at 2300 N Street, NW, Washington, DC.  The garage is managed by Colonial Parking.  The garage is open only Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. The first hour is $8 and the daily rate is $16.  For more information please call (202) 295-8122.

FOR SATURDAY:  Most public garages are CLOSED on the weekends.  There is street parking available around Heart House.  If a garage is required, The Fairmont Hotel at 2401 M Street NW allows non-guests to park in their garage.  The daily rate is $30.  For more information please call (202) 429-2400.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Tuition
The registration tuition includes continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, lunches and the syllabus.

In addition, we are pleased to inform you that the slides and audio from this program are being captured and will be made available to participants as a featured "Meeting on Demand".

Case Submission
Registrants are encouraged to submit their challenging cases to the faculty for review and possible inclusion in the Arrhythmias in the Real World 2008 discussions.  Cases will be chosen based on appropriateness of content.  Please send a summary of the case you wish to submit, including all relevant clinical parameters and history to cchadwic@acc.org. You will be notified prior to the conference whether your case has been chosen.  Deadline for case submissions is Monday, July 14, 2008.

Cancellations
Cancellation, substitution or transfer to another course is allowed if written notification is received four weeks before a scheduled course. A full refund minus a $100 processing fee will be given for written notifications received fewer than four weeks before the first day of the program. No refund will be given for no-shows.

In the unlikely event that the program is canceled, the College will refund the registration tuition in full but is not responsible for any travel or hotel costs you may incur.

The ACCF reserves the right to cancel programs in the unlikely event of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the ACCF will refund registration tuition but cannot be held responsible for other costs or expenses, including cancellations/change penalties assessed by airlines, travel agencies or hotels.

Please Note
Smoking is prohibited in all ACCF meeting rooms.

Videotaping, audiotaping and still photography are prohibited in all ACCF meeting rooms.

We encourage participation by all individuals. If you have a disability, advance notification of any special needs will help us serve you better.

Faculty and program are subject to change without notice. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ACCF.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Appreciation is expressed to the following company for its support of this educational activity:

Thank you to St. Jude Medical for providing the calipers. 

At the time of printing, a complete listing of supporters was not available. Appropriate acknowledgment will be updated upon confirmation of support and at the time of the program.