144 - MANAGEMENT OF VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS

Friday, October 28, 2022

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM EDT

Location: Room 212

Target Audience: Clinical cardiologists, Trainee (clinical), Electrophysiologists

Chair(s)

Lena Rivard, MD, MSc, FRCP

Cardiologist electrophysiologist
Montreal heart Institute
Montreal Heart Institute
Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Presenter(s)

Marc Deyell, MD, MSc

Associate Professor
University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Isabelle Nault, MD, FRCPC (she/her/hers)

Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie Et de Pneumologie de Québec
Université Laval
Québec, Quebec, Canada
PN

Pablo B. Nery, MD

MD
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

describe management of end-of-life patients with ventricular arrhythmias;
recognize the current indications of ICD and antiarrhythmic treatments for ventricular tachycardia in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis; and
identify patients with low ejection fractions presenting with NSVT or PVCs who would benefit from an aggressive treatment of their ventricular arrhythmias.

This workshop "Management of ventricular arrhythmias in difficult situations" will include 3 case-based presentations and cover the following topics:

Management of end-of-life patients presenting ventricular arrhythmias. What do the guidelines say?
Indications for ICD and antiarrhythmic treatments (antiarrhythmic drugs and ablation) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis and ventricular tachycardia; and
Identification of patients with low ejection fractions presenting with NSVT or PVCs who would benefit from an aggressive treatment of their ventricular arrhythmia.

Ventricular arrhythmias are a common finding, and their management can be challenging, particularly in end-of-life patients or in patients with low ejection fractions or sarcoidosis. The management of ventricular arrhythmias at the end of life can be associated with significant patient and family distress. Participants of this workshop will learn about the evaluation of such patients, and especially patient decision sharing and ethical aspects of ICD deactivation.

In patients with low ejection fractions or sarcoidosis, participants will learn to recognize specific clinical and electrocardiographic features to identify patients who would benefit from an aggressive treatment of their arrhythmia. Participants will be provided with a 2022 update on the appropriate patient selection for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia, practical strategies for further management and follow-up after ventricular episodes.

This workshop will fulfill the learning needs of those seeking a practical approach to these difficult arrhythmia cases. Difficult arrhythmia cases like those addressed in this workshop are a frequent challenge to all involved in the clinical management of patients. This workshop will provide participants with a comprehensive and practical approach to ventricular arrhythmias and improve everyday practice. Workshop participants will also learn how to interpret ECG tracings in such cases.

The education committee is composed of representatives from each of the following regions: British Colombia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces.