NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND SYMPOSIUM GOAL

According to the American Heart Association, approximately one in three American adults has some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Approximately 37% of all deaths have CVD as the underlying cause of death.   With the number of cardiovascular procedures being performed continually increasing each year, it is important for healthcare professionals to be up-to-date on the new directions being taken in heart failure management.   

The goal of this conference is to educate and provide a review of the most current therapeutic strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and management of cardiovascular disease; to advance the care of individuals with various forms of the disease; and to increase the practice of evidence-based medicine and devices by all healthcare professionals.  

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

After completing this activity, the participant should be able to:

• Identify the effects angiotensin receptor blockers have on recurrent myocardial infarction and risk of death
• List various risk factors on death and cardiovascular morbidity in high-risk post-myocardial infarction patients
• Review conventional therapies (drugs, devices, ventricular assist devices, transplant) for advanced heart disease and those currently being developed
• Correctly diagnose atrial fibrillation (AF) and differentiate it from other atrial arrhythmias
• Describe the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation and how these are countered by ace-1, statins, genetic, and other non-traditional therapies.
• Identify which patients with atrial fibrillation are best treated by controlling their ventricular rate and which may benefit more from rhythm control
• Discuss the risk of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation
• Identify the causes of CHF most likely to be improved with an "ablate and pace" strategy in treating atrial fibrillation
• Compare the risks and benefits of newer medications and interventional procedures for treating atrial fibrillation
• Specify variables associated with reduced efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with CHF.
• Assess the role of remote ablation devices in the modern electrophysiology laboratory
• Define the use of Cardiac Resynchronization Defibrillator to improve the cardiac function in advanced heart failure patients.
• Integrate hemodynamic function in advanced heart failure patients with device based and echo based protocols in Cardiac Resynchronization

TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of primary care physicians and other healthcare providers interested in acquiring additional knowledge concerning cardiovascular disease.

ACCREDITATION AND CREDITS

EXCEL Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

EXCEL Continuing Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

FACULTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

As a provider accredited by the ACCME, it is the policy of EXCEL Continuing Education to require disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other relationship the faculty members have with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation.  Any discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices will be disclosed to the audience prior to the activity.  Full disclosure will be made in the course materials.