PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Current management of atrial fibrillation (AF) has focused on either slowing heart rate (rate control) or restoring normal sinus rhythm (rhythm control) using antiarrhythmic drugs or ablation procedures. But these options are not completely effective or sufficiently safe. New and emerging antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant/antithrombotic treatments promise to dramatically alter the management of AF patients and improve clinical outcomes.

Novel Targets for Addressing Atrial Fibrillation will explain the pathobiology of AF and its consequences, as well as exploring current treatment strategies for the management of AF. The complex electrophysiologic mechanisms that promote AF and the suitability of novel therapeutic approaches to targeting these mechanisms will be analyzed, as will the latest clinical trial results on new and emerging treatment options.

Faculty

	Alexander G.G. Turpie, MD, FRCP, FACP, FACC, FRCPC – Chair (read bio) McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
	Stanley Nattel, BSc, MD (read bio) Montreal Heart Institute Montreal, Quebec, Canada
	Albert L. Waldo, MD, FACC (read bio) Case Western University School of Medicine Cleveland, OH
	Michael D. Ezekowitz, MBChB, DPhil, FRCP, FACC (read bio) Main Line Hospital Wynnewood, PA

TARGET AUDIENCE

This program was developed for electrophysiology specialists and allied health care professionals who treat patients at risk for atrial fibrillation.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

This activity was designed to address the following IOM competencies: provide patient-centered care, and employ evidence-based practice.

Upon completion of this program, attendees will be able to:

• Discuss the electrophysiological basis of novel targets for pharmacologic intervention for atrial fibrillation
• Describe the prospects of emerging anticoagulant/antithrombotic agents to address the stroke risk associated with suboptimum treatment of atrial fibrillation
• Explain the antiarrhythmic potential of emerging pharmacologic treatments and ablation techniques

ACCREDITATION

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

DESIGNATION STATEMENT

The Potomac Center for Medical Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

DISCLOSURE INFORMATION

Potomac Center for Medical Education (PCME) adheres to the policies and guidelines, including the Standards for Commercial Support, set forth to providers by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous.

All persons in a position to control the content of a continuing medical education program sponsored by the Potomac Center for Medical Education are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest to PCME, as well as to learners. All conflicts are identified and resolved by PCME in accordance with the Standards for Commercial Support in advance of delivery of the activity to learners. Disclosures will be made known to the participants prior to the activity.

The content of this activity was vetted by an external medical reviewer to assure objectivity and that the activity is free of commercial bias.

The faculty reported the following relevant financial relationships that they or their spouse/partner have with commercial interests:

Alexander G.G. Turpie, MD, FRCP, FACP, FACC, FRCPC: Speaker – Bayer, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, Sanofi Aventis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Portola Pharmaceuticals

Stanley Nattel, BSc, MD: Consultant – AstraZeneca, Novartis, Sequel Pharmaceuticals, Xention, Nyken; Speaker – Pierre-Fabre

Albert L. Waldo, MD, FACC: Consultant – Biotronik, St. Jude Medical, Daiichi Sankyo, Medtronic Ablation Frontiers, Astellas Pharma, Biosense Webster, Sanofi Aventis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, CardioInsight; Speaker – Sanofi Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline; Research Contract – Sequel Pharmaceuticals

Michael D. Ezekowitz, MBChB, FRCP, FAHA, DPhil, FACC: Consultant – ARYx Therapeutics, Portola, Sanofi Aventis, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Daiichi Sankyo; Grants – ARYx Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Portola Pharmaceuticals

Non-faculty content contributors and/or reviewers reported the following relevant financial relationships that they or their spouse/partner have with commercial interests:

Barry Watkins, PhD; Bradley Pine; Blair St. Amand; Dana Simpler, MD: Nothing to disclose

FDA Disclosure

The contents of some CME/CE activities may contain discussions of non-approved or off-label uses of some agents mentioned. Please consult the prescribing information for full disclosure of approved uses.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

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Sponsored by

This program is supported through an educational grant from Boehringer-Ingelheim

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