Two-day conference draws cardiac electrophysiology experts from across the globe
AUSTIN, Texas—On March 1 and 2, 2018, the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute (TCAI) at St. David’s Medical Center will host its fourth international symposium on complex arrhythmias, EPLive 2018. EPLive 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 event draws leaders in the field of electrophysiology from across the globe,” 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 EPLive course director, said. “We are committed to advancing electrophysiology care, and this event gives us the opportunity to shape physician practices and expand the scope of electrophysiology treatment options available to all patients.”
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. EPLive 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.
EPLive consists of four sections: Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib) ablation, Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) ablation, Devices and New Technology. The sessions consist of a combination of live and recorded cases from some of the world’s premier centers: TCAI, Mayo Clinic, Stanford University Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, UCLA Health System, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Colorado Hospital, Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Lancaster General Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Cases include procedures such as A Fib ablation, ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation, epicardial and endocardial VT ablation, left atrial appendage closures, lead extraction and venoplasty. EPLive will also feature new technology pioneered by physicians at TCAI.
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 A Fib 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
- Applying interventional approaches that best utilize the new technologies demonstrated to maximize clinical outcomes.
In addition to demonstrations by Dr. Natale, EPLive 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., Jason Zagrodsky, M.D., and Luigi DiBiase, M.D.
Physicians will receive a maximum of 18 American Medical Association (AMA) Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA) Category 1 Credit™ hours at the conference.
The 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 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 the EP Live website.
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 in 2014.
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. 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, Heart Hospital of Austin and St. David’s Georgetown Hospital.
Located in central Austin, St. David’s Medical Center includes a 374-bed acute care hospital and a 64-bed rehabilitation hospital providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. It is home to the internationally renowned Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute and 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; complex surgical services; a comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center; and a 24-hour emergency department.
St. David’s Medical Center was recently ranked among the top hospitals in the nation by earning a five-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) new Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating system, and it was named among the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics from 2010 to 2017. Truven 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 from 2012 to 2017, and it received the 2018 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence from Healthgrades for the seventh consecutive year, as well as Healthgrades’ 2017 America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award™ for the third consecutive year.