KEY QUESTIONS BEING ADDRESSED AT THE CONFERENCE ARE:

• How can we best detect Atrial Fibrillation?

• Should the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation be targeted towards control of rhythm, rate or both?

• What is the most effective and safest delivery of thromboprophylaxis in Atrial Fibrillation?

• What are the differences between physician and patient expectation with regard to the management of Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest sustained cardiac rhythm disorder, which is associated with a substantial risk of mortality and morbidity. A number of national and international guidelines have
collated the evidence to assist care providers and patients in the successful management of this complex disorder. Using the benefits of all the published work the multidisciplinary panel will aim to address the four key questions, which are of particular relevance to practising clinicians, from the written and oral presentations, abstracts and interactive discussion sessions. The conference will appeal to a wide range of health care workers from primary and secondary care, those in training and those affected by atrial fibrillation.

This UK Consensus Conference has been convened by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 

Professor Gregory YH Lip, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Birmingham
Chair, Organising Committee

Organising Committee
Dr Matthew Fay, GP, Shipley
Professor John Camm, Professor of Clinical Cardiology, London
Dr Derek Connelly, Consultant Cardiology, Glasgow
Dr Gillian Mead, Reader in Geriatric Medicine, Edinburgh
Mrs Trudie Lobban, CEO, Arrhythmia Alliance
Dr Scott Ramsay, Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, Livingston and RCPE Lead for Consensus Conferences
Mrs Margaret Farquhar, Consensus Conference Co-ordinator, RCPE

Membership of Consensus Panel

The multidisciplinary panel will be chaired by Dr Michael Rudolf.

Other members include:
Professor David Stott; Dr Richard Dewar; Dr Martin James; Professor Cliff Garratt; Dr Paul Smith; Dr Kathryn Griffith; Dr Nick Harding; Ms Jennifer Trueland; Dr Deirdre Lane; Dr Duncan Petty, Mrs Margaret Somerville, Mrs Jayne Mudd

What is the format of a Consensus Conference?

The aims and objectives of holding a Consensus Conference are to produce background papers and a final consensus statement that will influence:

Education as a guide to good clinical practice

Audit to suggest norms for evaluating clinical performance

Research to identify unresolved issues requiring further research

The RCPE Consensus Conferences do not attempt to be comprehensive; rather they address 4 specific issues in some depth. The Organising Committee sets predefined questions based on these topical or contentious issues. An evidence-based literature search is then carried out and from this the Scientific Background Papers and Outline Programme evolve.

During the Consensus Conference the Consensus Questions are addressed by the invited speakers and by the authors of the submitted abstracts. The Consensus Panel reviews the evidence presented, listens to discussion, and then prepares a draft Consensus Statement. The first draft is presented by the panel and discussed in open forum. The final version is then prepared, presented and discussed, before being published together with the background papers.

Social Programme

A Conference Dinner will be held in the Great Hall of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on Thursday, 1 March 2012. Details will be posted here once finalised.

Further information can be obtained from:
Margaret Farquhar,
Consensus Conference Co-ordinator,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh
EH2 1JQ

TEL: 0131 247 3636
FAX: 0131 220 4393

Email: m.farquhar@rcpe.ac.uk

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Session 1 - How can we best detect Atrial Fibrillation?

Chair: Dr Gillian Mead, Reader in Geriatric Medicine, University of Edinburgh

Session 2 - Should the treatment of AF be targeted towards control of rhythm, rate or both?

Chair: Professor Paulus Kirchhof, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Birmingham Centre for cardiovascular sciences.

Session 3 - What is the most effective and safest delivery of thromboprophylaxis in AF?

Chair: Professor Gregory Y H Lip, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Birmingham

Session 4 - What are the differences between physician and patient expectations with regard to the management of AF?

Chair: Professor Jonathan Mant, Professor of Primary Care Research, General Practice & Primary Care Research Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

Friday, 2 March 2012

Session 5 - Unanswered issues in AF management?

Chair: Dr Derek Connelly, Consultant Cardiologist, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Session 6 - Discussion on 1st drat statement

Chair: Panel Chairman

Session 7 - New developments

Chair: Dr Scott Ramsay, Consultant Physician, St Johns Hospital, Livingston and College Lead for Consensus Conferences

Session 8 - Presentation and discussion on 2nd statement

Chair: Chair, Consensus Panel

Online booking for this event closes on Friday, 24 February 2012 but places may still be available after that date - please contact the Education Co-ordinator (see below).

Registration fees

Margaret Farquhar
Consensus Conference Co-ordinator,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh
EH2 1JQ

TEL: 0131 247 3636
FAX: 0131 220 4393

Email: m.farquhar@rcpe.ac.uk

This event is open to all grades of medical, health care and scientific staff and to students. If you are unsure about eligibility, or the correct fee category, please contact the RCPE member of staff responsible for the event (see Fees and Contact Details page).

All relevant events are approved for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Where appropriate, certificates of attendance will be provided but are usually posted out after the event.

Please note that on occasion event programmes may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Access

As a listed building, the College has restricted disabled access. A wheelchair lift is provided at the rear of the College giving access to the Conference Centre and the main historic rooms, but not all of the smaller rooms used for educational events. For further information and assistance please contact the RCPE member of staff responsible for the event (see Fees and Contact Details page).

Accommodation and Directions to the College

The College has negotiated special rates with a number of local hotels.

Interactive map and directions

Download pdf map and directions

Commercial Sponsorship

Many events are supported by commercial companies taking stand space. Health professionals and NHS managers are invited to visit the company stands during the breaks. Companies interested in sponsoring this, or other events listed on the Calendar, should contact the relevant member of RCPE staff (see Fees and Contact Details page for the event).

Exhibitors/sponsors play no part in the planning or delivery of the event and the College has developed an Ethical Sponsorship Policy to support organising committees and committee chairmen in their negotiations with potential commercial partners for education and other events.