Course Overview
For normal heart rhythm, there must be an orderly propagation of electrical impulses throughout the myocardium. When this orderly progression is disrupted for any reason, potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias can result. In the United States alone, 9 million people have heart failure or structural heart disease, both of which can result in electrophysiological changes that make the heart more vulnerable to electrical instability and resultant cardiac arrhythmias.
This enduring material focuses on recent findings regarding common problems facing physicians who treat patients with cardiac arrhythmias. The faculty discusses evaluation and treatment of patients with supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, including pharmacologic therapies and the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators and biventricular pacing. The molecular and cellular bases of conduction disturbances are also discussed with the goal of providing insights into the fundamental mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias and the identification of appropriate targets for antiarrhythmic therapy.
Educational Objectives
The intended result of this activity is increased knowledge. At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to
- Summarize recent findings regarding treatment of atrial fibrillation.
- Describe the etiology of ventricular tachycardia in a structurally normal heart and noncontact mapping as an adjunct to catheter ablation.
- Define new developments in the care of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
- Summarize advancements in therapy for patients with heart failure.
- Describe the indications for implantation of single and dual-chambered implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
- Explain the pharmacotherapeutic management of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias.
- Define the mechanisms of action of antiarrhythmic medications for their safe and effective use.
- Discuss the molecular basis of congenital disorders of heart rhythm.
- Evaluate acceptable and necessary quantitative echo measurements in the clinical management of arrhythmia patients.
- Cite the multiprogrammable features of modern implantable cardioverter defibrillators and ways to avoid inappropriate shock delivery.
Target Audience
The target audience includes cardiologists with an interest in electrophysiology and internists with an interest in cardiology.
Evaluation / Feedback
We value your comments; please send your suggestions and comments to the office of continuing medical education at Texas Heart Institute.
Accreditation Statement
Texas Heart Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Texas Heart Institute no longer designates this enduring material for credit. The estimated time to complete this activity, including review of the materials is 4.5 hours.
Term of Approval
March 2007 through March 2010. Original release date: March 9, 2007.
Peer Review
In March 2007, this continuing medical education activity was reviewed by James J. Ferguson III, MD, FACC—Associate Director, Clinical Cardiology Research, THI; Co-Chairman, Medical Education Committee, THI; Chairman, Research Committee, THI. Houston, TX.
Disclosure of Relationships
It is the intent of the Texas Heart Institute to ensure that its educational mission and its continuing medical activities in particular, should not be influenced by the special interests of individuals associated with its program.
Faculty Disclosure
In accordance with the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, faculty members have disclosed their relationships, either with one or more of the manufacturers of commercial products discussed, or with one or more of the corporate organizations offering educational grants for this continuing medical education activity.
Each
faculty disclosure statement is posted in the individual presentation.
Return to event home page to view individual presentations (course materials).
