EHRA 2023: Celebrating 20 Years of Advancements in Arrhythmia Management

(IN BRIEF) The EHRA 2023 scientific congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), will be held from April 16 to 18 in Barcelona, Spain, as well as online. The congress will feature over 120 scientific sessions on the latest research, including the use of digital health, artificial intelligence for the detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation, sudden death prevention strategies, gender disparities in device therapy, and sustainability in the medical specialty of heart rhythm disturbances. Additionally, the congress will showcase new treatments and techniques, including pulsed field ablation.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, 17-Mar-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Society of Cardiology (ESC), an independent, nonprofit organisation aiming to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, is hosting EHRA 2023, a scientific congress focused on the latest developments in the prevention and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the ESC, is organizing the annual event which will be held from April 16 to 18, both in-person and online, at the Fira Gran Via, Hall 8, in Barcelona, Spain. Explore the Scientific Programme.

EHRA 2023 will feature more than 120 scientific sessions, with overviews of cutting-edge findings and lively debates on contemporary issues in heart rhythm management. The extensive abstract program will showcase novel research and insights on topics such as the safety of high-power charging of electric cars for patients with cardiac devices, the use of statins for patients with atrial fibrillation, and the links between COVID-19 and heart rhythm disorders. Experts will explore the relationship between smoking, alcohol, and atrial fibrillation, and also address questions about how much protein we should consume to avoid this heart rhythm disorder.

Several sessions at the congress will focus on digital health, examining the use of digital twins, avatars, wearables, and remote monitoring to improve care for patients with arrhythmias.^1-3 Professor Andrea Sarkozy, EHRA Scientific Programme Co-Chairperson, said: “Electrophysiologists were early adopters of digital innovations, for example in arrhythmia screening and follow-up. Wearable devices are an important evolution as they lead to more patient involvement and patient centred care. Remote monitoring became more widespread during the pandemic and will undoubtedly become standard practice in the near future. The field continues to advance, with exciting developments on the use of digital twins and avatars.” Other topics on the agenda include artificial intelligence for the detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation^4,5, sudden death prevention^6-8 strategies, and gender disparities in device therapy⁹.

Professor Sarkozy said: “Women are still underrepresented in trials and as a consequence are treated based on the results of studies including mostly men.¹⁰ However, we know that women’s hearts have electrical and structural properties which differ from men’s and adapted management is needed. Research also shows that invasive procedures including device implantation are underused in women, and this session will provide insights into this ongoing problem.”

Professor Serge Boveda, EHRA Scientific Programme Chairperson, said: “AI is an intense area of research that holds great promise for the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias. For example, computerised identification of standard and novel ablation target sites has the potential to significantly improve the success of this treatment.”

Professor Sarkozy. “AI is pushing the boundaries in the fight against sudden death by using electrocardiogram (ECG) findings to pinpoint those at risk. Screening athletes for potentially lethal mutations is controversial: hear up-to-date evidence for and against this prevention strategy.”

The EHRA Congress brings together scientists, healthcare professionals, and key opinion leaders involved in arrhythmia management around the world. This year’s congress theme celebrates the 20th anniversary of EHRA. Sustainability and reuse of catheters, safety, and economics^11-14 will be covered in multiple sessions throughout the congress¹⁵.

Innovation is a central theme of the congress, with sessions devoted to exploring new treatments and techniques, such as pulsed field ablation^16-19. Attendees can also visit the simulation village to preview sophisticated tools, and the EHRA innovation summit to learn more about addressing unmet needs in the near future.

“In today’s world of environmental, economic and social crisis each part and layer of society should take responsibility, including the electrophysiology community,” said Professor Boveda. “We will explore what is possible from a regulatory perspective and hear from trailblazing European centres.”

Professor Sarkozy said: “Electrophysiology is a technical and rapidly evolving specialty and innovation is essential, requiring communication between engineers, entrepreneurs, start-up companies and clinicians. Pulsed field ablation uses a novel nonthermal energy source and is set to revolutionise treatment by making procedures quicker and safer.”

Professor Boveda said: “Stay tuned for a special session in which we look at the past, present and future of heart rhythm disorders.²⁰ Prominent electrophysiologists will share their lifelong learning and pioneering experience that has improved the lives of many patients with arrhythmias.”

The EHRA Congress brings together scientists, healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders involved in arrhythmia management around the world. Register as press now to attend EHRA 2023 and receive press releases from the leading arrhythmias meeting in Europe.

ENDS

Authors: ESC Press Office
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Notes to editor

About the European Heart Rhythm Association
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Its aim is to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce sudden cardiac death by limiting the impact of heart rhythm disturbances.

About the EHRA Congress #EHRA2023
EHRA 2023 is the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

About the European Society of Cardiology
The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives.

Information for journalists about registration for EHRA 2023
EHRA 2023 will be held 16 to 18 April at the Fira Gran Via, Hall 8, in Barcelona, Spain and online. Explore the Scientific Programme.

Free registration applies to accredited press.
Credentials: A valid press card or appropriate letter of assignment with proof of three recent published articles. Read the ESC Media and Embargo Policy.
The ESC Press Office will verify the documents and confirm by email that your press accreditation is valid.
The ESC Press Office decision is final regarding all press registration requests.

References

¹ Modern arrhythmia care from the digital perspective.
² Will remote monitoring for arrhythmias take over?
³ Alert-based follow-up: the future of remote CIED management.
⁴ Novel tools for AF detection.
⁵ How can artificial intelligence be of aid in my AF ablations?
⁶ New horizons in sudden death in the young.
⁷ Screening to reduce sports-related SCD burden?
⁸ New strategies to prevent SCA/SCD.
⁹ Gender disparities in CIED therapy.
¹⁰ Linde C, Bongiorni MG, Birgersdotter-Green U, et al. Sex differences in cardiac arrhythmia: a consensus document of the European Heart Rhythm Association, endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society and Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society. Europace. 2018;20:1565–1565ao.
¹¹ Sustainability of EP procedures in 2023.
¹² Evidence-based EP sustainability: what is the current state of knowledge.
¹³ European experience practising sustainability in EP centres.
¹⁴ Reprocessing of catheters is a must in the era of EP sustainability.
¹⁵ EHRA Innovation summit.
¹⁶ Novel approaches relevant for VT ablation/modulation.
¹⁷ Controversial debates in AF ablation (I).
¹⁸ Spot on: novel AF ablation technologies.
¹⁹ ‘Live-in-the-Box’: old and new ablation energy sources.
²⁰ 20 years of pioneering in EP.