St. Luke's hosts AF gab

MANILA, Philippines - The Heart Institute of St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) is hosting the first Philippine International Atrial Fibrillation Symposium for two days starting today at the Henry Sy, Sr. Auditorium at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City.

Responding to the increasing worldwide prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), a common form of arrhythmia, the symposium focuses on the pathophysiology and outcomes of AF, pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of AF and its complications, and the use of oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention and management in AF.

Renowned international speakers at the symposium include highly respected electrophysiologists Dr. Anthony Sze-Leung Tang of the Vancouver Island Health at the Royal Jubilee Hospital (Canada), Dr. Jay Tiongson of the New Mexico Heart Institute (US), and Dr. Bobby John of the Christian Medical College (India).

Speakers from Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden as well as local experts on AF will also share their insights during the two-day talk.

“This symposium aims to educate and increase awareness on the real impact of atrial fibrillation among physicians. For so long, the emphasis has been on hypertension, and stroke and heart attack prevention that the importance of treating AF has been put aside,” said Dr. Jose Nicholas Cruz, director of the Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City.

“Through this conference we will highlight the new pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments to correct and prevent the complications of atrial fibrillation, the most common of which is a stroke,” said Cruz.  

Registered participants to the first Philippine International Atrial Fibrillation Symposium will earn the following CME (Continuing Medical Education) units: Philippine Heart Association (PHA), 30 units; Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), 20 units; and Philippine Association of Family Physicians (PAFP), 30 units.

For registration or inquiries, contact the Symposium Secretariat through Camil Silvestre at (632) 7897700 ext. 2014/2015, (0915) 8678244 or e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, log on to www.stlukesmedicalcenter.com.ph.