The HCPLive conference coverage page features articles, videos, and expert-led live coverage from major medical meetings throughout the year.
Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Outcomes, Complications and Strategies
This abstract oral session featured top cardiology researchers who were given a mere 15 minutes to review the highlights of their most recent work. The reasons for their studies and what they found are covered below.
The R231C KCNQI Mutation Causes Familial Atrial Fibrillation and Long QT Syndrome
This poster presentation, part of the “Ion Channels and Cardiac Rhythm” abstract poster session, reviewed the results of study that Daniel Bartos and colleagues conducted in order to determine the mutation behind the development of familial atrial fibrillation (FAF2 and long QT syndromes (LQT1).
This heavily trafficked poster session featured posters focused on left atrial pressure waveform analysis, intracardiac echocardiography, pressure-guided cryoballon isolation of the pulmonary veins, radiofrequency ablation, atrial fibrillation due to mitral valve disease, a non-contact mapping system, and the mechanism of chronic atrial fibrillation. MDNG had the pleasure of meeting with some of the presenters, and summaries of their posters are provided below.
Effect of Dronedarone on Cardiovascular Events in Atrial Fibrillation
This brief presentation (roughly 25 minutes)—part of the “Groundbreaking Studies in the Practice of Cardiovascular Medicine: Circulation Editors’ Choices” session—featured Stefan H. Hohnloser, MD, who presented the results of a study that were published in the February 12, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders II-Central Nervous System
A handful of abstracts were presented during this session, focusing on the link between fibromyalgia fatigue and kynurenine pathway activity, glutamate in the anterior insula, the effects of fatigue on response to pain, and neurocortical representation of locus of control in patients with fibromyalgia.
Community Resources and Participation
During this hour-and-one-half concurrent abstract session, moderated by Jennifer M. Hootman, PhD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atalanta, GA, a half-dozen abstracts were presented, focusing on health-related quality of life among adults with arthritis, the impact of arthritis and other chronic conditions on community participation, quality of non-pharmacologic care for patients with osteoarthritis, social network support, and restrictions in participating in life situations among patients with RA.
Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Education (CARE)
October 21st 2009This morning's presentation on implementing a CARE (Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Education) Program was comprised of a step-by-step case study. Barbara A. Paliughi, RN, BSN, and Linda L. Miranda, RN, BSN, relayed their experience of getting this type of program off the ground at their place of employment, the Children's Hospital of Central California.
Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders: Late Morning Poster Tour Recap
Among the numerous posters on display under the "Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders" heading on day 4 at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2009 Annual Scientific Sessions were posters focused on the development of a fibromyalgia (FM) responder index, anxiety and depression among patients with FM, tai chi as an effective treatment of FM, and sex differences in predictors of increased symptoms after exercise and sleep restriction in patients with such chronic pain disorders as fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders: Morning Poster Session Recap
Dozens of posters were presented under the "Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders" umbrella during the morning of day 4 at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals 2009 Annual Scientific Sessions. Among the highlights are the following.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Biologic Agents
Objectives for this presentation included identifying biologic agents in the use of RA; discussing the role of TNF inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis; describing the role of B-cells in rheumatoid arthritis; and discussing what advances need to happen in order to better treat this condition.
Research Campaign Already Improving Lives of RA Patients
October 19th 2009The ACR's "Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis" campaign has funded research that identified a highly-specific marker of RA, helps predict response to anti-TNF therapy, and improving doctor-patient communication.
Curbside Consult: Fibromyalgia
The 2009 American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals Scientific Meeting will feature several “Curbside Consult/Ask the Professors” sessions. Designed to feature information and discussion about “difficult management decisions that must be made in the absence of strong data,” these sessions give attendees the opportunity to “compare their personal management approaches” to the clinical problems outlined in the featured vignettes and scenarios with those of “the academic expert consultants and other clinicians in the audience.”
It's Not All in the Mind: Cognitive Function and Fibromyalgia
The Monday morning sessions at the 2009 American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals featured several presentations that focused on cognitive functioning in fibromyalgia and lupus.
What's the Best Way to Treat Fibromyalgia? A Holistic Approach
Fibromyalgia is a complex illness, especially when there are some healthcare professionals who do not consider it to be an illness. However, there is a high prevalence of fibromyalgia (3-4.7% of the general population) and patients who have it experience poor quality of life and place a high economic burden on themselves, their families, and society.
People with RA Not at Increased Risk of Serious Infection with Biologic Therapy
October 18th 2009The most important risk factors for serious infections were not biologic medications, as some might have expected, but instead were age, medical conditions such as emphysema, and RA-specific factors like disease duration.