Traditionally, the School of Practical Arrhythmology is held at the Almazov National Medical Research Centre — the leading centre in arrhythmology, cardiology, vascular and thoracic surgery.
Organizers of the School:
- Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre
- Russian Society of Cardiology
- All-Russian Society of Arrhythmology
- European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)
- Foundation for Cardiological Education in Central and Eastern Europe CARDICA
- Faculty and Department of the Medical University of Lodz (Poland)
The intensive programme was interesting for specialists of different specializations: cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, pediatricians, general practitioners, interventional cardiologists, pathomorphologists and functional diagnostics doctors. Traditionally, about 400 Russian and foreign specialists took an active part in the School of Arrhythmology annually.
The first day of the School was devoted to diagnostics in arrhythmology: visualization, functional research and invasive diagnostics. Educational interactive course “From ECG to Optimal Implantable Device and Catheter Ablation” in cooperation with the Foundation for Cardiological Education in Central and Eastern Europe CARDICA called much attention of the participants.
In the following days, live broadcasts from the X-ray surgery unit aroused great interest of the participants. The Conference experts demonstrated advanced world technologies and approaches in atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Young arrhythmologists had the opportunity to take part in the exercises on the Simbionix simulator that is the only simulator fully imitating endocardial interventions.
For “advanced arrhythmologists”, the Conference organizers prepared master classes and clinical cases. One of the master classes was entitled “Extended three-dimensional navigation and “ablation index” in atrial fibrillation and life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias”. Master class “Current techniques of sudden death prevention and non-medication treatment of heart failure” with demonstration of interventional treatment methods caused lively discussions as it often is the only surgical method in such patients.
Chairman of the St. Petersburg Branch of the All-Russian Scientific Society of Arrhythmology, Head of the Research Laboratory of Arrhythmology at the Almazov National Medical Research Centre Professor Dmitry Lebedev noted that the most important role of the event is to demonstrate practical approaches to the problems of current arrhythmology both to young and experienced specialists.
The participants of the School had the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in tachyarrhythmia diagnosis and treatment in adults and children, current guidelines on implantable antiarrhythmic devices and technologies for their installation, and to see live high-tech operating techniques.
The distinctive feature of the annual St. Petersburg School of Arrhythmology is its original and multidisciplinary approach based on the involvement of specialists in different medical areas. The positive experience of publishing the materials of the previous School of Arrhythmology inspired the organizers to prepare the first in Russia Arrhythmology Handbook.
