AF, VT, VF Summit 2018: What to Expect at the Upcoming Meeting

In this interview, EP Lab Digest speaks with Dr. Jasbir Sra, Course Co-Director of the annual AF, VT, VF Summit taking place November 30 to December 1, 2018 at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower in Chicago, Illinois. 

When and why was the AF, VT, VF Summit created? 

EP is a relatively new field. The first local meeting was held in Milwaukee with international faculty in 1982; the AF, VT, VF Summit is an offshoot of that, and was first held in Chicago in 2009.

Our course directors felt it was important to have a clinically relevant meeting that gave attendees an update on new changes in EP as well as provided interaction with experts on how to handle day-to-day issues in complex patients. 

Tell us about the extensive faculty presenting at this year’s meeting.

One of the hallmarks of this meeting is the national and international faculty who are experts in different aspects of EP. Faculty are carefully chosen, and although it is the same faculty 80% of the time, new faculty are added based on current information and literature. With current regulations, it has become increasingly difficult to get all the experts together, but this meeting has been successfully doing it every year. 

Tell us about some of the main sessions to be included this year. 

The key sessions are always the AF and VT lectures. The sessions cover anatomy/basic sciences as well as include clinical cases on device interrogations, pacing, and new techniques. This gives attendees a wide spectrum of current and up-to-date information in this field. 

What changes were made to this year’s event?

We have changed the format to keep some key lectures but also be heavy on case-based approaches, in which cases will be presented and discussed by multiple faculty members as well as the audience. This keeps the audience engaged while still learning about the new technologies and approaches to the management of cardiac arrhythmias.

Why was it important to offer a session on His bundle pacing? Also, what clinical trial(s) will be covered?

His bundle pacing is starting to become very important and feasible given the technology available. The main trial presented will be CABANA by Dr. Doug Packer, who was the principal investigator in that trial.

What CME opportunities are available at this meeting?

All lectures are CME. Physicians will get 16.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.^™ 

How many people are expected to attend this year? Has attendance grown year after year? 

The meeting has grown every year, and more and more EP fellows are attending the meeting. It is expected that the attendance will be over 250 professionals.

Why should people attend this meeting? 

The AF, VT, VF Summit is an excellent update in the field of atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and devices. In addition, there will be an interactive discussion of interesting cases, which is always fun, and our faculty is outstanding. In just 2 days, attendees can receive a comprehensive update by the top faculty in EP.

What do you consider to be the most exciting advances today in AF, VT, or VF? What future technologies will impact this field?

Ablation is still the most exciting advancement in atrial fibrillation. However, as technologies improve and make procedures simpler, I think left atrial appendage occlusion devices could significantly change the outcomes in stroke and avoid the need for lifelong anticoagulation in many patients.

Any final thoughts?

There are 3 important aspects that make a physician excellent: clinical skills, teaching, and research. I have been in this field for over 28 years, and over time, I have seen a gradual loss of interest in research by fellows and even physicians. I hope societies such as HRS as well as organizations and hospitals get more involved to incentivize research that is original.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.afvtvfsummit.com