Arrhythmia Alliance E-Bulletin

“Promoting better understanding, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for individuals with cardiac arrhythmia”

March 2007

March 2007

Forthcoming Events

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Welcome to the Arrhythmia Alliance e-bulletin where you can read about the latest research into heart rhythm disorders, useful heart information sources, dates for your diary and much more.

If you have any links, suggestions for stories to cover in next month’s e-bulletin, or know of any forthcoming events, please email webmaster@arrhythmiaalliance.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1107496

Tel: 01789 450787

Email: info@arrhythmiaalliance.org.uk

Address:

PO BOX 3697, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 8YL

Contact us

Medical News

Arrhythmia in the News

Arrhythmia Alliance Regional Meetings 2007

The meetings will consider developments that have taken place since the launch of the CHD NSF for arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death. Places are limited, so book soon to avoid disappointment. The date for the Midlands meeting has been changed to the 29th March

North-West: 16th March          North: 23rd March                    
Midlands: 29th March              South: 26th March

More details...
Presentations for South West & London Regional Meetings now available—
click here

 

A-A members can now communicate with other sufferers, offer support and exchange information by joining our moderated A-A Community Forum.   Click on "Register" to apply.

New A-A online Forum

A-A website Medical Professionals’ Area

We have recently set up a new dedicated area on our website for Medical Professionals.

As a Medical Professional Member you will be able to access our secure area via our website and find specifically tailored information and advice relevant to professionals caring for arrhythmia patients.

This includes:

 

ICD and Arrhythmia Patient Support Groups

If you run, intend to start, attend or know of an ICD or other arrhythmia Patient Support Group in your area, please e-mail the contact details to info@arrhythmiaalliance.org.uk  The Arrhythmia Alliance, in conjunction with the DoH NHRMD Taskforce, is working on producing guidelines to establish Information & Support Groups, and to provide training and material to healthcare professionals and trained volunteers on how to run a successful group.  If you or anyone you know are interested in receiving further information please contact us.

If your group would like information and/or training please contact Carole

REGISTER FOR THE CONGRESS ONLINE NOW

Features at the Congress this year will include Devices & Intervention courses, Live cases, HRUK courses and many more. The draft agenda will be displayed at www.heartrhythm.org.uk by the end of March.

Wednesday 31st March is Patient Day. STARS & SADS UK will be holding their annual meeting plus many more events. Register Now as spaces are limited.

EXHIBITION STANDS— Only 2 remaining (view stands)

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE (read more)

Heart Rhythm Congress 2007 - 29th-31st October 2007

Fundraising for Arrhythmia Alliance

Arrhythmia Alliance is achieving its aims and objectives but we need your help to continue increasing awareness and promoting better understanding, diagnosis and quality of life for individuals with cardiac arrhythmia. We require funds to continue to grow and to provide services to meet the challenges ahead. We need your help. Please click here for ideas on how to raise funds for A-A

STARS-Shine a Light on Education

Volunteers- we need your skills! The education project is fast progressing but to make its implementation a success, more volunteers are needed. (read more)

Press Clippings

Arrhythmia Awareness Week 2007: 11th-17th June

We need your help. Please contact us now! Hold an event for a day or for a week, distribute leaflets etc—any help would be greatly appreciated. You can really help to make a difference and raise awareness.

 

This is an annual event to raise awareness of Heart Rhythm disorders. Last year was very successful with 165 events taking place around the UK. However, the feedback demonstrated the need for greater awareness. So please help us during this year’s campaign by holding an event/display in your local community (hospital, GP surgery, library, school, work place, etc). A Promotional Pack will be provided with various items to assist you and any help will be greatly appreciated. You really can make a difference and help to raise awareness. 

 

Registration is needed ASAP so that sufficient promotional packs can be compiled. If you can assist and would like further information please visit www.aaaw.org.uk or contact Carole Ellis

 

N.B. Wednesday 13th June 2007 will be the focus for ‘World Heart Rhythm Awareness Day’. A number of organizations worldwide will join forces to highlight Heart Rhythm awareness promoting better understanding and speedy referral to specialists and improving quality of life for those living with Cardiac Arrhythmia.

Arrhythmia Alliance Established in Netherlands

During 2006 there were initial contacts between the STIN, the Dutch organisation for ICD recipients and the Arrhythmia Alliance in the UK. Marinus Split and Herman Somberg, two STIN board members, came to the UK to find out if organizations like the Arrhythmia Alliance were also suitable for the Netherlands. This initiative has lead to the establishment of the Arrhythmia Alliance in the Netherlands.(read more)

We  frequently receive enquiries from concerned patients regarding driving  regulations. Latest guidelines as set down by the government can be found on the DVLA site, click here 

Our patient literature will be updated accordingly.

Medical Guidance on Driving

To join A-A and our new Medical Professionals Area click here

 

+care pathways

+job descriptions

+business case templates

+how to establish Rapid Access Clinics

+useful links to other websites

+copies of e-bulletins

+protocols

+presentations from Heart Rhythm               Congress 2006 & Regional Meetings

+news and events and much more

+participate in our online Forum

+view and download our patient information leaflets in pdf format

Patient Information & Resources

Click here for a full list of Arrhythmia Alliance publications—more to follow soon

The Medical Advisory Committee of STARS has prepared “The Blackouts Checklist” to aid patients and doctors to reach the correct diagnosis. If someone loses consciousness for a few seconds or minutes, they are often said to have had a blackout. Many people, including doctors, assume that blackouts are due to epilepsy, but much more commonly they are due to syncope. This checklist will be useful to complete prior to visiting a doctor.

Download checklist (requires adobe reader)

The Blackouts Checklist

· A National Campaign for Cardiac Rehabilitation—Wednesday 25th April 2007, York Racecourse

· Rhythm Congress: Arrythmias and Heart Failure15th-17th June 2007, Cannes, France
Visit the website to read the preliminary program. Recent progress on implantable devices, algorithms and ablation procedures, have modified the use of our therapeutic arsenal so it has become essential for us to gather all practitioners in order to share and compare our medical strategies.

· 34th International Congress on Electrophysiology, and 48th Symposium on Vectorcardiography27th—30th June 2007, Istanbul

· Anatomy for Electrophysiologists - 2nd-3rd July 2007, Royal Brompton & Harefield. This 2-day course aims to provide the foundation for understanding the anatomy of the heart and spatial relationships of cardiac structures as viewed by Cardiac Electrophysiologists

· Medical Futures Cardiovascular Innovation Awards—These  Awards are run on a not-for-profit basis and help to identify, promote and reward innovators in  Cardiology and Vascular surgery.

· Board of the British Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (BSCMR) 2nd Annual Meeting
7th March 2007, London

· Ventricular Arrhythmia & Sudden Death Symposium
20th-22nd April 2007. W San Francisco Hotel, San Francisco, CA, USA. The Ventricular Arrhythmia and Sudden Death Symposium will provide a forum for discussion of new advances in diagnosis and management of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. .

· British Society of Medical Managers January-May 2007, various parts of the UK

· Europrevent 2007—Madrid, Spain. 19th-21st April 2007— EuroPrevent is an international platform bringing together cardiologists, scientists and other health workers with a specific interest in the fields of Basic Science, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Epidemiology & Public Health.

· ESC Congress 20071st-5th September 2007. Now accepting Abstract submissions here

· SADS UK—Patient Support Seminar –21st April 2007
This Seminar offers the opportunity to meet with others who are living with similar cardiac conditions or who have been bereaved, to learn more about cardiac arrhythmia and to share thoughts and feelings.  Click here for Registration Form

· Venice Arrhythmia 2007— 7th-10th October 2007, Venice, Italy.

· UKCRN course availability listing A complete list of UKCRN’s courses for 2007 can be found here.

· Diploma Level Module: Atrial Fibrillation