Upcoming Pediatric EP Symposium: PACES Advancing the Field

The advancement of any field depends on innovation, the re-evaluation of existing practices, and continual development of the careers of those who are new and old to its practice. Pediatric and congenital electrophysiology is no different. Personal and institutional biases gained in fellowship are often continued into practice with few opportunities for innovation, minimal re-evaluation, and limited forums to collaborate with colleagues using different approaches, technologies, and research. In the last two decades, our field has grown in leaps and bounds into new frontiers from molecular genetics to non-fluoroscopic ablation. Given the current velocity of growth in our field, it is vital that the pediatric and congenital electrophysiologist be exposed to different approaches, the latest technologies, and innovative ideas in patient care and research. 

On December 12-14, 2014, many of the leaders in pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiology will gather at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada for PACES Advancing the Field: Forum on Practice Innovation, Scientific Achievement, and Career Development in Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology. This symposium, endorsed by the Pediatric and Adult Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) and co-sponsored by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), is the first of its kind: a freestanding pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiology conference that is free of industry bias. The meeting hopes to draw on the innovative approaches and unique experiences of many of the leaders in the field, including:

• Dominic Abrams, MD
• Michael Ackerman, MD, PhD
• Yaniv Bar-Cohen, MD
• D. Woodrow Benson, MD, PhD
• Charles Berul, MD
• Mitchell Cohen, MD
• Brynn Dechert-Crooks, MSN, CPNP
• Anne Dubin, MD
• Susan P. Etheridge, MD
• Ronald J. Kanter, MD
• Ian H. Law, MD
• Shubhayan Sanatani, MD
• J. Phillip Saul, MD
• Steve Seslar, MD, PhD
• Maully Shah, MBBS
• Elizabeth Stephenson, MD, MSc
• Nick Von Bergen, MD

Specific topics to be addressed include: advanced techniques to identify the slow pathway in AVNRT; ablation of the para-Hisian pathway and tips/techniques for success and avoidance of heart block; differences in non-fluoroscopic ablation versus minimal fluoroscopy; EKG screening and clearance; 3D mapping and CT/MRI merging for the patient with congenital heart disease — utilizing novel arrhythmia mapping systems; and workup of family members of victims of sudden cardiac death, including care of genotype-positive, phenotype negative patients.

The format of this forum will include breakout sessions, innovative case presentations, and open microphone question and answer sessions. All sessions will focus on innovation and advancement. 

The meeting will also include a mapping and ablation simulator, in which participants can utilize actual mapping catheters and a three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system to move catheters through MRI-derived models of hearts that were printed from a three-dimensional printer. 

All are welcome to be a part of this collaborative meeting, including: pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiologists who have recently entered the field; established pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiologists who wish to maintain collaborative relationships and remain innovative in their practice; allied health professionals (including industry representatives) with interest and expertise in pediatric and adult congenital electrophysiology; pediatric electrophysiology fellows; and pediatric cardiology fellows with an interest in electrophysiology.

Registration and discounted hotel accommodations at the elegant Paris Hotel and Casino in the heart of the Las Vegas strip are available online at: https://sites.google.com/site/pacesconference2014/. 

Continuing education will be provided for physicians, allied health professionals, and nurses: 

Children’s Heart Center Nevada is accredited by the Nevada State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians for a maximum of 10.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^™ or a maximum of 10.5 hours of nursing continuing education. 

Please contact the course directors, Vincent Thomas, MD and Anthony C. McCanta, MD at PACESAdvancing@gmail.com with any questions or for any other information.