HCA Midwest Health physician leaders spearhead 17th annual KC Heart Rhythm Symposium

Participants from across the nation and 35 countries recently gathered in Kansas City and virtually for presentations at the 17^th Annual Kansas City Heart Rhythm Symposium (KCHRS), an intensive two-day event with an on electrophysiology (EP)-focused medical education. Groundbreaking cardiology and electrophysiology topics, trends and findings presented during the symposium include atrial fibrillation (AFib), ventricular arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, digital health tools, dysautonomia – a disruptive nervous system disorder – and heart issues that occur following Covid-19.

Michael Gold, MD, PhD, a Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) professor, served as the symposium’s keynote speaker. Dr. Gold is widely recognized as the pioneer of electrophysiology.

More than 50 leading cardiac experts globally presented to electrophysiologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other healthcare professionals. Cardiologists from the HCA Midwest Health and Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health - leaders in education and innovation in heart rhythm disorders in the region and country – were among the symposium presenters.

The symposium was hosted and directed by Dhanunjaya “DJ” Lakkireddy, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiologist, researcher and renowned leader in electrophysiology research and an education leader in AFib and complex arrhythmias. Dr. Lakkireddy, executive medical director of the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, also delivered a keynote address. HCA Midwest Health is Kansas City’s largest healthcare provider.

“As an internationally known and respected industry veteran, educator, researcher and leader in atrial fibrillation, Dr. Lakkireddy has a unique ability to envision world-class cardiology care educational events like the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Symposium,” said HCA Midwest Health President Keith Zimmerman. “The event underscores not only the tremendous contributions cardiologists make to delivering high-quality and compassionate patient care but also the level of commitment to education and excellence in patient outcomes.”

“Every year, this major symposium, held in Kansas City, updates medical practitioners across the globe on the future of cardiac electrophysiology and new diagnosis and treatment guidelines in the care and management of patients with atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure,” said Dr. Lakkireddy. “Not only are significant advances shared in this rapidly evolving field that directly impact patients, but the symposium also highlights the clinical excellence and fierce passion in cardiology by professionals who care for the most vulnerable cardiology patients.”

Key elements of this year’s symposium included presentations on heart issues that Covid-19 can leave in its wake and clinical evidence for the latest trends in left atrial appendage (LAA) treatments to help prevent strokes in AFib patients.

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