For the first time, the Electrophysiology program within the University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center hosted the annual Iowa Heart Rhythm Symposium on Friday, September 8, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center. University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) co-chairs Paari Dominic, MD, MBBS, MPH, section chief for clinical cardiac electrophysiology, and Elizabeth Hinders, ARNP, DNP, heart and vascular nurse practitioner, organized a one-day continuing medical education (CME) event hosting 16 speakers from around the world. Most every presenter had spent some time at Iowa, either as fellow, faculty, or even both.
The agenda was engaging, starting off the morning with a dynamic debate between one-time mentor Brian Olshansky, MD (emeritus professor of cardiovascular medicine at University of Iowa Health Care), and mentee Chirag Sandesara, MD, FACC, FHRS (section chief of cardiology and electrophysiology at Virginia Heart). The two debated whether rhythm control is superior to rate control in people with atrial fibrillation (all types), each of them presenting recent studies to support their respective positions. Sandesara even closed his argument citing a recent presentation of Olshansky’s, supporting Sandesara’s side of the discussion and refuting his own.
Family physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and physician assistants enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day, traveling from room to room to stretch their legs and refresh in between the packed schedule. The day was sectioned into fours, with each two-hour segment including individual presentations and concluding with physician panels answering questions from the audience.
Discussion topics included:
- Updates on advanced invasive treatment options for atrial fibrillation.
- New technologies to monitor patients and improve quality of life.
- Therapies for conduction disease.
- Role of artificial intelligence in electrophysiology.
In addition to the program, attendees were able to visit with industry vendors in the next room to learn more about new technology and procedures available to clinicians, as well as to learn more about the Heart and Vascular Center, Advanced Heart Failure program, the Cardiovascular and Invasive Procedure Laboratory, the Structural Heart Program, ECMO, and Cardiac Electrophysiology through UIHC.
Congratulations to the planning committee on a successful and engaging CME conference!
- Co-chair Paari Dominic, MD
- Co-chair Elizabeth ‘Elly’ Hinders, ARNP
- Steven Bailin, MD
- Amy Black
- Sara Freel, RT(R)
- Denice Hodgson-Zingman, MD
- Lenni O’Neill Broeg, RN
- Tyler Rasmussen, MD
