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Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center to Host EP Live 2016

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute March 15, 2016

Two-Day Conference Draws Cardiac Electrophysiology Experts From Across the Globe

AUSTIN, Texas—On March 3 and 4, 2016, the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David’s Medical Center will host its third international symposium on complex arrhythmias, EP Live 2016. EP Live is an intensive, two-day educational meeting for practicing clinical cardiac electrophysiologists, electrophysiologist fellows and general cardiologists who have an interest in treating complex arrhythmias, a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm. The primary teaching tool is live cases broadcast from the state-of-the-art laboratories at St. David’s Medical Center, with expert commentary.

“This year, we’re expecting nearly 150 leaders in the field of electrophysiology from Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as experts from across the United States,” Andrea Natale, M.D., F.H.R.S., F.A.C.C., F.E.S.C., cardiac electrophysiologist and executive medical director of TCAI and EP Live course director, said. “Over the years, advances in interventional cardiac electrophysiology have impacted physician practices and patient care. This event is a way for physicians to come together to learn the full scope of EP procedures, ultimately improving patient care across the globe.”

Arrhythmias are caused by problems with the heart’s electrical system. Many cardiac arrhythmias are treated using modern ablation procedures, which involve burning, freezing or neutralizing portions of the heart muscle where abnormal electrical pulses set off the irregular heartbeats. EP Live is designed to help attendees gain a better understanding of techniques used to treat atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, implant complex devices and extract malfunctioning devices.

EP Live consists of four sections: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) ablation, Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) ablation, Devices and New Technologies. The sessions consist of a combination of live and recorded cases from some of the premier centers of the world: TCAI, Mayo Clinic, Stanford University Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, UCLA Health System, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Loyola University, Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Lancaster General Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Cases include procedures to treat endocardial and epicardial VT ablation, AF ablation, AF Rotors and post-AF arrhythmias; balloon cases; Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy implants; lead extraction and venoplasty.

EP Live will also feature new technologies, including the latest generation of the EpiAccess™ System to access the pericardial cavity of the heart during an epicardial ablation.

The conference will also focus on a variety of objectives, including:

  • Evaluating techniques used to map and ablate atrial and ventricular arrhythmias;
  • Identifying processes to reduce complications and promote safety measures for the patient during ablation of AF and ventricular arrhythmias;
  • Applying interventional approaches learned in ablation of complex ventricular arrhythmias;
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the latest evidence and guidelines in arrhythmia management and treatment with new technology; and
  • Applying interventional approaches that best utilize the new technologies demonstrated to maximize clinical outcomes.

In addition to demonstrations by Dr. Natale, EP Live will feature presentations by a number of TCAI physicians, including course co-director, Amin Al-Ahmad, M.D., as well as Rodney Horton, M.D.; Patrick Hranitzky, M.D.; Robert Canby, M.D.; Joseph Gallinghouse, M.D.; Shane Bailey, M.D.; Javier Sanchez, M.D.; David Burkhardt, M.D. and Jason Zagrodsky, M.D.

Physicians will receive a maximum of 16 American Medical Association (AMA) Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA) Category 1 Credit™ hours at the conference.

The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute at St. David’s Medical Center (TCAI) is one of the world’s preeminent centers dedicated to the latest treatment advances for correcting arrhythmias. The center is led by Dr. Natale, who is at the forefront of advancing treatment for A Fib, leading numerous clinical trials, and participating in the development of new technologies and procedures.

For more information, visit EPLiveSymposium.com.

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute

Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David’s Medical Center is one of the world’s preeminent centers dedicated to the latest treatment advances for correcting abnormal heart rhythms such as Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib). The center is led by Executive Medical Director Andrea Natale, M.D., a world-renowned expert in the field. Natale is at the forefront of advancing treatment for A Fib, leading numerous clinical trials and participating in the development of new technologies and procedures. TCAI is part of St. David’s HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized with a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the nation’s highest presidential honor for performance excellence through innovation, improvement and visionary leadership—in 2014. For more information, please visit TCAInstitute.com.

St. David’s Medical Center

St. David’s Medical Center is part of St. David’s HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas, which was recognized in 2014 with a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—the nation’s highest presidential honor for performance excellence through innovation, improvement and visionary leadership—and as one of the top 15 health systems in the U.S. by Truven Health Analytics in January 2012. Founded in 1924, St. David’s Medical Center is a full-service medical center offering comprehensive medical care at three locations—St. David’s Medical Center, located at 919 East 32nd Street in Austin; Heart Hospital of Austin, located at 3801 North Lamar Blvd.; and St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, located in Georgetown at 2000 Scenic Drive. The three campuses offer a full range of medical specialties, as well as many other innovative healthcare services.

St. David’s Medical Center in central Austin includes a 350-bed acute care hospital and a 64-bed rehabilitation hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. St. David’s Medical Center is also home to the internationally renowned Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute and the St. David’s Neuroscience & Spine Institute. The hospital provides a complete range of women’s services, including its acclaimed maternity unit, maternal-fetal medicine, a high-risk maternal and neonatal transport team, the region’s largest and most sophisticated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and The Breast Center; a fertility center; complex surgical services; a comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center; and a 24-hour emergency department.

St. David’s Medical Center, including the Heart Hospital of Austin and St. David’s Georgetown Hospital campuses, received the 2016 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence from Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals, for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, St. David’s Medical Center was named among the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics for six consecutive years, from 2010 to 2015. Truven Health Analytics also named St. David’s Medical Center to the list of 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in 2013, 2015 and 2016. The hospital earned a national distinction for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits, for four consecutive years from 2012 to 2016. For more information, please visit StDavids.com.