EMERGENCY CARDIOLOGY SYMPOSIUM: Tough Dysrhythmias 2021

Advanced Emergency Cardiology & Cardiac Arrhythmia Management

Overview

Emergency Cardiology Symposium: Tough Dysrhythmias 2021 is a specialized cardiovascular emergency medicine program presented by the University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine and directed by renowned emergency cardiology educator Amal Mattu. This focused symposium delivers practical, evidence-based strategies for diagnosing and managing complex cardiac arrhythmias encountered in emergency and acute care settings.

Designed for emergency physicians, cardiologists, hospitalists, intensivists, advanced practice providers, and trainees, the course emphasizes rapid ECG interpretation, arrhythmia recognition, pacemaker troubleshooting, atrial fibrillation management, bradyarrhythmias, ventricular dysrhythmias, and real-world emergency department decision-making.

Through expert lectures, case-based discussions, and panel sessions, participants learn practical approaches to some of the most challenging rhythm disturbances encountered in clinical practice.

Format

• MP4 Video Lectures
• PDF Lecture Slides
• Expert Panel Discussions
• Case-Based Learning
• Emergency Cardiology CME Content

Course Date

March 24, 2021 (Virtual Conference)

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

• Develop a systematic approach to diagnosing complex dysrhythmias.
• Manage atrial fibrillation in the emergency department using evidence-based strategies.
• Interpret ECGs in patients with pacemakers and implantable cardiac devices.
• Differentiate ventricular tachycardia from supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy.
• Recognize and manage life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
• Evaluate and treat challenging bradyarrhythmias.
• Understand the cardiovascular manifestations of COVID-19-related dysrhythmias.
• Improve clinical decision-making in critically ill cardiac patients.

Course Topics & Faculty

Rational Emergency Department Management of Acute Atrial Fibrillation

Speaker

Ian Stiell

This session reviews modern approaches to acute atrial fibrillation, including:

• Rate versus rhythm control
• Anticoagulation considerations
• Electrical cardioversion
• Emergency department discharge pathways
• Evidence-based management algorithms

Deciphering Dysrhythmias in Device Patients

Speaker

Tarlan Hedayati

Topics include:

• Pacemaker ECG interpretation
• Device malfunction recognition
• ICD-related rhythms
• Troubleshooting implanted cardiac devices
• Emergency evaluation of paced rhythms

Wide Complex Tachycardia: A Rational Approach to Diagnosis

Speaker

William Brady

A practical framework for evaluating:

• Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
• SVT with Aberrancy
• Bundle Branch Block Patterns
• ECG Diagnostic Criteria
• Emergency Treatment Strategies

Participants learn high-yield ECG interpretation techniques essential for emergency practice.

The Angry Ventricle

Speaker

Corey Slovis

This session focuses on:

• Ventricular Irritability
• Ventricular Arrhythmias
• Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention
• High-Risk ECG Findings
• Acute Stabilization Techniques

Challenging Cases of Bradydysrhythmias

Speaker

Megan Fix

Topics include:

• Symptomatic Bradycardia
• AV Block Recognition
• Temporary Pacing
• Medication-Induced Bradycardia
• Emergency Management Algorithms

COVID-Related Dysrhythmias

Speaker

Leen Alblaihed

This timely presentation reviews:

• COVID-19 Cardiac Complications
• Arrhythmias Associated with SARS-CoV-2
• Myocarditis and Electrical Instability
• QT Prolongation
• Clinical Management Considerations

Expert Panel Discussion

A multidisciplinary discussion featuring all faculty members addressing:

• Difficult Arrhythmia Cases
• ECG Interpretation Pearls
• Emergency Cardiology Controversies
• Audience Questions and Answers

Key Clinical Skills Covered

Emergency Cardiology

• Acute Arrhythmia Management
• Emergency ECG Interpretation
• Chest Pain Risk Assessment
• Cardiac Emergency Decision-Making

Cardiac Electrophysiology

• Bradyarrhythmias
• Tachyarrhythmias
• Pacemaker Rhythms
• ICD Troubleshooting

Critical Care Cardiology

• Hemodynamic Instability
• Cardiogenic Shock Recognition
• Life-Threatening Dysrhythmias
• Resuscitation Strategies

ECG Mastery

• Wide Complex Tachycardia
• Atrial Fibrillation
• AV Blocks
• Pacemaker ECGs
• Ventricular Arrhythmias

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

Physicians

• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Cardiologists
• Cardiac Electrophysiologists
• Intensivists
• Hospitalists
• Internal Medicine Physicians

Trainees

• Emergency Medicine Residents
• Cardiology Fellows
• Internal Medicine Residents
• Medical Students

Allied Healthcare Professionals

• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Critical Care Nurses
• Emergency Department Nurses
• Paramedics

Why This Course Stands Out

World-Class Faculty

Features internationally recognized experts in emergency cardiology and ECG interpretation.

Practical ECG Focus

Provides immediately applicable tools for interpreting difficult arrhythmias encountered in everyday clinical practice.

Evidence-Based Teaching

Combines current guidelines, landmark studies, and real-world emergency department experience.

Case-Based Learning

Focuses on practical clinical decision-making rather than purely theoretical electrophysiology concepts.

Topics