This symposium is intended for all those who are confronted during their daily practice with cardiac patients suffering from disabling or life-threatening arrhythmias or conduction disturbances, or heart failure aggravated by these conditions.
Since the 90’s clinical electrophysiology has seen an amazing development. After introduction of radiofrequency ablation, new imaging and mapping techniques have emerged. The development of alternative energy sources and the perspective of magnetic navigation and robotics are tremendous new directions in this field.
Atrial fibrillation remains the major problem in clinical arrhythmology: after the major trials on rate and rhythm control, strategic decisions remain as difficult as ever. The fact that thrombo-embolic complications occur with both strategies implies that anti-coagulation remains a very important topic. New strategies have emerged in this area as well.
ICD technology, with improving detection algorithms, painless therapy and combined with multisite pacing finds broader applications. Prophylactic implantation is now established with subcutaneous, “lead-less” approaches as a new possibility.
Attention will be given to the genetic background, anti-arrhythmic drug therapy and follow-up of patients with heart failure and complex arrhythmias.
