Inova Heart and Vascular Institute Hosts Atrial Fibrillation Patient Reunion

***Media Advisory***

Falls Church, VA – (October 7, 2010)— On Thursday, Oct. 14, former cardiac patients, and world renowned physicians and specialists in the fields of cardiac surgery, cardiology and electrophysiology will gather in Falls Church, Virginia for a reunion to celebrate the progress made in treating atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke and lead to heart failure.

WHAT:
5th Annual Atrial Fibrillation Patient Reunion
What Matters Most: A Celebration of the Patient Experience

WHEN:
Thursday, Oct. 14
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:00 p.m. Presentations

WHERE:
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Physician’s Conference Center- Upper Level
3300 Gallows Rd.
Falls Church, Va.

WHO:
Niv Ad, MD, Director, Cardiac Surgery Research, Chief, Cardiac Surgery,
Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Professor, Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University
Ted Friehling, MD, Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory,
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Marc Wish, MD, Chief, Cardiology
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Adam Pick, Author, “The Patient’s Guide to Heart Valve Surgery”

The 5th Annual Atrial Fibrillation Patient Reunion, “What Matters Most: A Celebration of the Patient Experience” is a unique event held every year focusing on research learned through a registry that tracks patients with atrial fibrillation and valve disease both before and long-term after surgery. Dr. Ad, an international leader in the surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation, heads this surgical program involving pioneering treatment procedures and concepts.

More than 100 atrial fibrillation patients from the region will have the opportunity to reunite and share their triumphs, challenges, and other heart surgery experiences.

Pick, author and patient advocate, will moderate a panel of experts and patients discussing the cardiac surgery experience. Through his widely popular website Pick has provided invaluable resources to many cardiac patients.

For more information about atrial fibrillation, visit inovaheart.org.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.