Overview
There have been recent changes in how we treat patients who have atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL). Guidelines for the use of anticoagulants have been updated and expanded. Nonpharmacologic therapies are now available to prevent embolic strokes in patients who are at increased risk of bleeding. Catheter ablation for AF and AFL has become a low-risk, mainstream option.
Vascular syncope, which includes neurocardiogenic and orthostatic syncope, is common in the adult population. Some practicing physicians tend to underappreciate the contribution of syncopal mechanisms, perform unnecessary diagnostic testing, and inadequately treat the underlying causes of vascular syncope.
Cardiac rhythm-management devices are common in clinical practice. Many nonelectrophysiologists lack a good understanding of how these devices function and are unable to troubleshoot simple problems with their operation.
Educational Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:
Appropriately identify and label the level of risk of embolic stroke among patients who have AF and AFL.
Select specific anticoagulant agents for individual patients on the basis of each agent's pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties.
Cite the treatment options available for AF and AFL, and be able to decide which patients are appropriate candidates for catheter ablation.
Diagnose and treat adult patients who have vascular syncope in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Use a stepwise algorithm to troubleshoot pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.
Target Audience
Cardiologists, cardiologists with an interest in electrophysiology, cardiac electrophysiologists, internists with an interest in cardiology, catheterization laboratory technicians, and family and general practitioners.
Accreditation
Texas Heart Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
Texas Heart Institute designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The articles marked with a ★ are designated for CME credit.
Term of Approval
October 1, 2016, through October 1, 2018.
Disclosure of Financial Relationships with Commercial Interests
The following individuals have reported no interest or other relationship(s) with companies that might relate to the educational content of this activity:
Wilson W. Lam, MD
Nilesh Mathuria, MD
Abdi Rasekh, MD
Joanna Esther Molina Razavi, MD
Mehdi Razavi, MD
Mohammad Saeed, MD, FACC
Payam Safavi-Naeini, MD
The Planning Committee members have nothing to disclose.
The THI CME Staff have nothing to disclose.
The Program Reviewers have nothing to disclose.
Repurposing Statement
If you previously completed and received credit for the live CME accredited symposium titled Seventeenth Symposium on Cardiac Arrhythmias on 20 February 2016, please note that you will not receive credit for completing this activity. Participants who take part in an identical activity, even in order to validate learning or to clarify specific topics, cannot claim, nor will the Texas Heart Institute award, duplicate credit for the activity.
Method of Participation and Receipt of CME Certificate
To obtain CME credit for the Seventeenth Symposium on Cardiac Arrhythmias, Texas Heart Institute Journal section, you must:
Carefully read the CME-designated articles marked with a ★ in this issue of the Journal.
Answer the assessment questions presented on page 422. A grade of 80% must be attained to receive CME credit.
Complete a brief evaluation.
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Claim your CME credit by mailing the completed assessment and evaluation to:
THI Office of CME, 6770 Bertner Ave., MC 3-276, Houston, TX 77030
The THI Office of CME will grade the assessment, and, if the score is 80% or higher, a certificate indicating the number of credits/contact hours earned for participation in the program will be mailed to you at the address provided.
Evaluation/Feedback
For assistance or feedback on this activity, please contact the Texas Heart Institute Office of CME at 832-355-9100 or by e-mail at cme@texasheart.org.