Predictors of sudden death in congenital arrhythmogenic syndromes

Title : Predictors of sudden death in congenital arrhythmogenic syndromes

Abstract:

Genetic heart diseases are common causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the young and are typically divided into inherited cardiomyopathies and primary electrical heart diseases. Cardiomyopathies associated with the risk of SCD include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). The latter includes arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Primary electrical diseases more commonly seen in clinical practice include Brugada syndrome (BrS) and long QT syndrome (LQTS). Risk stratification of SCD is a central component of the management of patients with these genetic heart diseases. Numerous risk factors have been identified, and risk prediction models have been developed to estimate the absolute risk of sustained arrhythmias and SCD to support clinicians and patients in decision-making regarding prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). This lecture provides a practical review of the current literature on risk stratification in ARVC and other ACMs, HCM, BrS, and LQTS, and summarizes current recommendations for ICD use.

Biography:

Professor Samir Rafla graduated from Alexandria University in June 1970. He was resident in the cardiology department then assistant lecturer then lecturer in June 1982. Spent 10 months research fellow in Cleveland clinic Ohio; in the research institute with Late Prof. R. Tarazi and in the electrophysiology department with Prof. James Maloney. Became professor of cardiology in June 1994. Then head of the cardiology department from 1/8/2004 till 30/8/2007. He was appointed in the National council for promotion of professors in cardiology and critical care starting from December 2004 for four years then extended another 4 years as assessor. He is editor in the Egyptian Heart Journal and Heart Mirror Journal. He is Fellow in the American College of Cardiology, Fellow in the European Society of Cardiology, member in EHRA (European Heart Rhythm association), and member in European Association for Echocardiography and Imaging. Member in the steering committee of the Egyptian Cardiac Arrhythmia Association (ECRA). His main areas of interest are in electrophysiology and pacemakers, also in Echocardiography. He published over twenty abstracts and papers outside Egypt and has presented over 300 lectures / chairmanships at national and international meetings. He organized summer meetings of the ECRA group every year starting 1998, at first alone then with Professor Mostafa Nawar. Also was co organizer of the international CardioAlex conference in the years 2005 to 2007.