Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: 2011 State of the Art

Sunday, April 3, 4:45-6:00 PM

The field of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) seems to be moving at light speed. Some clinicians have expressed the opinion that ablation can sometimes be the first-line treatment. The buzz about AF ablation involves several different factors, including new technologies that enhance catheter control, reduce radiation exposure and fatigue, present the chambers of the heart in 3D and create circumferential ablations.

Along with advances in technology are advances in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for AF. Still, AF recurrence is problematic. In this session, cardiologists and cardiac EPs will learn the latest developments regarding how best to enhance procedural success so that recurrence is minimized.

Before the ablation procedure, proper patient selection must occur to further enhance success. After the procedures, proper patient management must occur to enhance success. Both of these topics will be covered in fine detail.

Speaker Information
  • Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond -- Post Ablation Management: Anti-Arrhythmic Therapy, Anticoagulation, Long Term Monitoring
  • John D. Day, MD, Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City -- Ablation Technique: Tailored Approach to AF Ablation
  • Andrea Natale, MD, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, Austin -- Current and Emerging Technology to Facilitate and Enhance Procedural Success
  • Sanjay Dixit, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia -- Recognizing and Managing Complications of AF Ablation
  • Jonathan M. Kalman, MBBS, PhD, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia -- Selecting the Appropriate Patient

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