EP Lab Digest - April 2008 - (Page 44)

44 EP CONFERENCE APRIL 2008 Highlights from the 5th Annual International Arrhythmia Winter School Jennifer Stoyanov, Event Planner,Winter Arrhythmia School, and Eli Crystal Dr. Serge Barold, University of South Florida, and author of “Devices for Cardiac Resynchronization: Technologic and Clinical Aspects.” Dr. Barold is seen here chairing a device workshop, featuring presentations from all five major CRM device manufacturers. Dr. Carsten Israel from Frankfurt, Germany, lecturing on distance monitoring and programming during the session entitled “Frontiers in Device Therapies.” I n this article, we learn about the 5th Annual International Arrhythmia Winter School, which took place February 8-10, 2008 at Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. In addition, the International Arrhythmia Winter School carried an extensive review of invasive cardiac electrophysiology. With the increased occurrence and complexity of atrial and ventricular arrhythmia procedures, our attendees examined tailored approaches to these procedures. Different mapping and ablative technologies were also explored and compared in unbiased and professional discussions. In general, the International Arrhythmia Winter School offered an excellent opportunity to improve knowledge in invasive cardiac electrophysiology, ablation and device therapy. A particular emphasis was put on “hands-on” presentations, which addressed the practical issues in daily clinical work that are frequently not addressed in cardiology congresses. There was also ample time for discussion and interaction, which revealed the different attitudes and opinions about daily practice decisions such as indications for ICDs (e.g., in the elderly, renal failure, dilated cardiomyopathy), ablation of asymptomatic WPW, or CRT. Many enjoyed the presentations on indepth device programming and pacemaker-related arrhythmias or malfunctions, the latter presented by representatives from different manufacturers. Since knowledge about exact algorithm functions and programmability is rather rare, these were certainly valuable sessions that are too rarely included in scientific programs. The presentations on principles to improve safety in invasive cardiac electrophysiology and of driving issues in device patients (of particular interest was the From left to right: Dr. Riccardo Cappato, Faculty, President of the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society, Milan, Italy, and Dr. Eugene Crystal, Chairman of the International Arrhythmia Winter School, Director of Arrhythmia Services, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, co-chair the “Device Diagnostics” session. The International Arrhythmia Winter School symposium, once regarded as a regional meeting, has been transformed into an internationally-attended symposium by Founder and Chairman Dr. Eugene Crystal, Director of Arrhythmia Services at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Over 135 delegates participated at the 5th Annual Winter Arrhythmia School at Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. This year’s symposium was particularly successful, as it incorporated some of the best teachers in the field of cardiac electrophysiology. Every annual event is graded through a rigorous evaluation process in order to determine the teaching objectives for subsequent events. In addition, when planning for a new cardiac arrhythmia symposium, it was particularly important to create an agenda based on topics that had not been fully explored by the Heart Rhythm Society, Europace, or Cardiostim.Therefore, we chose to focus on a smaller group size and highly interactive teaching model. To enhance the overall learning experience, we brought together medical allied professionals (APs), industry field specialists from numerous manufacturers, and leading Canadian and international experts in cardiac arrhythmias. Device therapies and programming specifics were also extensively discussed during the device workshops, with a primary focus on new programming concepts that could be brought back to the clinic.We incorporated discussions and hands-on teaching sessions of various CRM devices: presenting case studies, programming and troubleshooting strategies. From left to right: Dr. Ilan Lashevsky, Educational Program Co-director, Dr. Riccardo Cappato, Faculty, and Dr. Eugene Crystal, Chairman of the International Arrhythmia Winter School. The International Arrhythmia Winter School offered an excellent opportunity to improve knowledge in invasive cardiac electrophysiology, ablation, and device therapy. Dr. Boaz Avitall from the Chicago Medical Center at the University of Illinois during the hands-on cardiac anatomy workshop, sponsored by St. Jude Medical.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EP Lab Digest - April 2008

EP Lab Digest - April 2008 Pediatric Electrophysiology Medical Relief Work on the Yucatan Peninsula: A Labor of Love EP 101: Considerations for the Elderly EP Patient Contents Letter from the Editor Spotlight Interview: University of Maryland A Summary of the ACC/AHA/Physician Consortium 2008 Clinical Performance Measures for Adults with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter Can Psychosocial Characteristics Predict Fatal Outcomes in Patients? Interview with Jonathan S. Steinberg, MD, FACC 10-Minute Interview: Diane D. Sheffield, RN, BSN AED Access for All: An Organization for SCA Survivors New Column: 5 Quick Clues to AV Nodal Reentry Tachycardia CMS 2008 OPPS Final Rule Review New Online AED and CPR Training Opportunities: Q & A with Keith Weaver Highlights from the 5th Annual International Arrhythmia Winter School Email Discussion Group Events Calendar Second Annual Salary Survey Industry News and Products Classifieds Advertisers Index

EP Lab Digest - April 2008

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