A Round-Up of HRC 2008

A-A and HRUK, held the third Heart Rhythm Congress from 19th – 22nd October. This highly successful meeting exceeded all expectations and, once again, attendance was up on previous years.  The congress was host to various conferences, meetings, debates, patient group meetings, HRUK training courses, and an industry exhibition which ran throughout.

HRC opened with a variety of sessions to appeal to the wide audience of delegates in attendance, including Live Cases which were broadcast from two catheter laboratories in Southampton, the HRUK Certificate of Accreditation Courses, and a very popular session on Basic Sciences which reviewed the molecular and cellular mechanisms of arrhythmias. Monday 20th October was also Patients’ Day with Arrhythmia Alliance, Atrial Fibrillation Association, SADS UK and STARS (Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures) all holding conferences.  The day finished with a plenary lecture, 50 Years of Pacing, given by Sue Jones, who received the Arrhythmia Alliance Life-time Achievement Award 2008.

A broad spectrum of sessions was also available on Tuesday 21st October, including a full day’s programme which looked at current issues, new developments and controversies facing Allied Professionals, the second of two Advanced Devices sessions, an afternoon on the Management of VT Storms, plus meetings for those involved in Primary Care, Paediatric EP and Syncope.  Abstracts were presented both orally, and on posters in the exhibition hall, with six submissions competing in the Young Investigators Award Session.

Highlights of the final day of HRC included Cases & Traces, during which the audience had an opportunity to participate in discussing EP cases with experts; an AF Science session which focussed on the latest treatments for AF; plus a look at areas where cardiac surgeons are involved in the management of arrhythmia in an exciting session on Arrhythmia Surgery.

The dates for HRC 2009 have been set for 18th - 21st October 2009 and plans are already under way. Watch this space for further details.