One Of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People Kicks Off Heart Rhythm 2012 In Boston

Thousands of attendees from around the world have convened for more than 250 scientific sessions offering the latest in arrhythmia care with a focus on quality care for patients

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Heart Rhythm Society

May 09, 2012, 08:00 ET

BOSTON, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Heart Rhythm 2012, the Heart Rhythm Society's 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions and the year's premier conference on cardiac arrhythmias, kicks off at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center with the Opening Plenary session led by Harvard professor, author and head of the Human Nature Lab at Harvard Nicholas Christakis, MD, PhD, MPH. More than 9,000 cardiac arrhythmia professionals from around the world will attend the four-day meeting to hear the latest science, discovery and innovation in the heart rhythm management field.

"The Heart Rhythm Society's Annual Scientific Sessions is an opportunity for scientists and physicians from around the world to showcase new research and ground breaking studies on a wide range of heart rhythm topics," stated Bruce L. Wilkoff, MD, FHRS, CCDS, president of Heart Rhythm Society. "We are proud to emphasize 'Our Patients' during the meeting this year as our research and scientific advances are driven by the improvement of overall patient care."

Along with the timely and innovative opening session by Dr. Christakis showcasing how social networks affect our behavior and well-being, Heart Rhythm 2012 also features:

AF Summit: The Past, Present and Future of Ablation: A one-day program on Wednesday, May 9, designed to provide a comprehensive review of AF ablation and evolving therapies changing the field.
Riata ICD Lead Safety Special Session: On Thursday, May 10, N.A. Mark Estes, MD, FHRS, CCDS and Robert G. Hauser, MD, FHRS, CCDS will lead a special session on riata ICD lead safety alert update.
Changing the Culture of Safety Special Session: On Thursday, May 10, Bruce L. Wilkoff, MD, FHRS, CCDS and Paul D. Varosy, MD, Denver VAMC host a featured symposium, formerly known as Town Hall, on the fundamentals of transforming intraprocedural heart rhythm care to a culture that promotes patient safety.
History of EP Exhibit: A number of devices and pacemakers that have never been on display at prior Rhythms in Time exhibits, presented by the Furman Family, are available for viewing along with a large collection of pacemakers donated by Paul A. Levine, MD, FHRS.
The Ford Heart Rate Monitoring Seat: On Thursday, May 10, the Ford Motor Company will present the Ford Heart Rate Monitoring Seat in the Learning Lounge on the Exhibit Hall floor. The seat is designed to detect and monitor a driver's heart activity using contactless built-in sensors.

Qualified media are invited to attend and can visit www.hrsonline.org/Sessions/media.cfm for more information.

Heart Rhythm 2012 is the most comprehensive educational program for heart rhythm professionals, featuring more than 250 educational sections and more than 130 innovative products and services. The Heart Rhythm Society's Annual Scientific Sessions have become the must-attend event of the year, allowing the exchange of new vital ideas and information among colleagues from every corner of the globe.

About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of more than 5,600 heart rhythm professionals in more than 70 countries around the world. www.HRSonline.org