Heart Rhythm Society Commences Annual Scientific Sessions In San Francisco Set To Explore The Crossroads Of Technology And Medicine

SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Heart Rhythm 2014, the Heart Rhythm Society's (HRS) 35th Annual Scientific Sessions and this year's premier conference on cardiac arrhythmias begins at the Moscone Center. Heart Rhythm 2014 takes a profound look into the advancement of medical technology while once again creating a global exchange of ideas and best practices in order to promote optimal patient care worldwide.

Heart Rhythm 2014 brings together the world's most noted experts and features more than 8,500 attendees, 250 educational sessions and more than 900 exhibitors showcasing innovative products and services. It is an opportunity for the global heart rhythm community to explore the ideas, people and technology that are advancing the electrophysiology (EP) field.

"This year's meeting is unique because we are exploring the convergence between technology and medicine and how this complex relationship continues to propel the EP field forward," stated Hugh Calkins, MD, president of the Heart Rhythm Society. "Technology is reshaping clinical practice and enhancing patient outcomes. Heart Rhythm 2014 is the perfect platform for exchange of this information and research that clinicians across the world are working on to achieve our common goal of ending death and suffering due to heart rhythm disorders."

The meeting includes internationally recognized speakers and a wide variety of sessions that offer attendees first-hand knowledge and a chance to engage in the emerging technologies of the future. Sessions will cover multiple topics including pacing, defibrillation, clinical arrhythmias management, ablation, pharmacology, genetics, basic science and health policy.

HRS is pleased to highlight the following special events during Heart Rhythm 2014:

• Opening Plenary Session: On Wednesday, May 7, Susan Dentzer, Senior Health Policy Advisor at the nation's largest health-focused philanthropy, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will moderate an expert panel addressing the intersection of "Technology and Medicine." The panel of leading experts includes David Pogue, technology columnist and correspondent; Eric Topol, MD, premiere cardiologist, genetic researcher, and technologist; Jay Walker, technology pioneer voted one of Time magazine's Most 50 Influential Leaders in the Digital Age; and Silvia Priori, MD, PhD, NYU Langone Medical Center and Fondazione Maugeri University of Pavia, Italy.
• AF Summit: On Wednesday, May 7, the AF Summit is an all-day program providing a comprehensive review of AF ablation and evolving therapies that are changing the field. Recipient of the Founders Lectureship Award, Jose Jalife, MD, FHRS, will also present a lecture on Basic Science Insights on Atrial Remodeling and Fibrosis.
• Lead & Device Management Summit: On Wednesday, May 7, the Summit will explore issues related to device management and looks to the past, present and future of Lead and Device Management, with a focus on CIED treatment and troubleshooting techniques.
• Complication Theatre Sessions: On Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, for the first time at Scientific Sessions, there will be six 90 minute case-based learning sessions that focus on the difficult circumstances - dissecting the most complicated cases and the learning opportunities that result.
• Battle of the Titans: On Friday, May 9, two debate sessions will place "Titan against Titan," featuring world-renowned experts with very different opinions. Ratika Parkash, MD, MS, FHRS will chair the first debate on Ablation as First Line of Treatment of Paroxysmal AF as Andrea Natale, MD, FHRS and John Camm, MD, FHRS go head to head. Jeremy N. Ruskin, MD, will chair the second debate on Antitachycardia Pacing Being Avoided in ICDs as N.A. Mark Estes, MD, FHRS, CCDS and Bruce L. Wilkoff, MD, FHRS, CCDS compete.  

HRS will also introduce the first EP Lab Accreditation Program, which evaluates EP labs based on a set of standards and measures developed by HRS within the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) framework. The accreditation program will give EP labs throughout the U.S. and Canada an opportunity to identify its strength and areas for improvement.

In addition, attendees can use the EventPilot® conference app to efficiently chronicle continuing medical education (CME) credits acquired throughout the meeting. The app has a cross-device synchronization feature so attendees can identify accredited sessions, add the sessions to personal schedules and claim attendance of the session post-event. For more information, visit http://ativsoftware.com.

Scientists, clinicians and HRS leadership will be available to discuss specific sessions and heart rhythm innovations further. Visit the Press Room (Room 220) at the Moscone Center or contact Kennesha Baldwin (202) 464-3476. Qualified media are invited to attend and can visit http://www.hrsonline.org/Education-Meetings/Scientific-Sessions for more information.

About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of more than 5,800 heart rhythm professionals in more than 72 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.HRSonline.org.

SOURCE Heart Rhythm Society