For more than 30 years, the cardiology specialists at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center have hosted an educational cardiology conference with a wider scope than the focus other clinical institutions in the region, designed for both cardiologists and primary care physicians.
Cardiology Philadelphia 2018: Innovations in Cardiovascular Care CME event is designed not only for practicing cardiologists and certified nurse practitioners specializing in cardiology care, but also for primary care physicians.
“Primary care physicians often see our patients for the first time with a cardiac complaint," said Terry D. Friedman, MD (Medical Director, Penn Cardiology Cherry Hill), and one of the three program directors. "They need to know what is available for their care … [as well as the] numerous guidelines and recommendations regarding cardiology care.”
Cardiology Philadelphia 2018: An Interactive CME Agenda
Over the years, that list of clinical recommendations, thanks to new therapies, devices, and other inroads, has only made the content of that list longer. The 2018 agenda includes presentations on use of the smartphone in clinical practice and outpatient hemodynamic monitoring of the heart failure patient. The agenda also reflects important societal topics, such as sudden cardiac death involving athletes and preparticipation.
But the physician Program Directors of the 2018 event have not forgotten the human touch.
The conference, which lists many learning objectives and offers CME credits, also offers an interactive, live event. Dr. Friedman explained, "A patient with severe aortic stenosis will be present, whose case will be put to discussion. After an echocardiogram is taken, a panel of experts discuss the best management for the patient,” he continued. “I will take a history on the patient and then we will review the echocardiogram.”
With the sonogram information, the panel will discuss when any procedures or surgery should occur, as well as what treatment options would be best. Audience questions are encouraged.
Dr. Friedman’s co-directors,
Harvey L. Waxman, MD (Chief of Cardiology, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center) and John J. Ross, Jr., RDCS, RVS, RCS (Director, Outpatient Non-Invasive, Cardiovascular Network, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center) , will join him on the panel, along with Robert Bunting, RDCS, RVS, and
Brian M. Drachman, MD. Dr. Drachman is Associate Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Primary care physicians may be interested to hear about current digital technology in cardiac care. The Apple watch, said Dr. Friedman, will be discussed as it relates to diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. There also will be discussion regarding an implantable device in the pulmonary artery that will allow heart failure patients to be monitored by phone. “Physicians can then compare the phone monitoring outcomes to traditional monitoring, i.e., weighing the patient daily, and adjusting therapy by that modality.”
Primary care physicians also will find relevant the discussion on new therapies for coronary disease, “since their patients will want answers and recommendations from them during consultation,” Dr. Friedman said.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Update
The conference will have its high-profile moments. Howard C. Herrmann, MD (Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), will be discussing new technologies concerning transcatheter mitral valve repair and transcatheter mitral valve replacement, and his presentation will likely include data from a recently released study in the New England Journal of Medicine regarding the MitraClip, for which Dr. Herrmann was a principal investigator. The device exceeded its two end points, reduced hospitalizations (effectiveness) and freedom from device-related complications at 12 months (primary).
Who Should Attend?
Cardiologists, primary care physicians, advanced nurse practitioners and nurses that focus on cardiovascular care are encouraged to register for and attend Cardiology Philadelphia 2018: Innovations in Cardiovascular Care.
Event Details
Cardiology Philadelphia 2018: Innovations in Cardiovascular Care
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Philadelphia 201 Hotel
201
North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103