News Release

Scripps experts present at 2015 TCT scientific symposium

Sessions cover treatments of LAA occlusion, imaging and difficult cases

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scripps Health

SAN FRANCISCO - From new methods for preventing stroke, to non-surgical treatment of heart valve defects and learning from complicated cases, Scripps Health cardiology experts will share leading edge techniques for improving heart care during the 27th Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), the annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation taking place Oct. 11-15 at the Moscone Center.

Scripps presenters are internationally renowned cardiology experts specializing in preventative procedures, research and education, as well as being part of one of the nation's top-rated heart care programs.

Matthew Price, M.D., director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at Scripps Clinic who specializes in complex cases, will lead and participate in 10 different presentations, including debates, a live case and sharing his expertise on the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure device that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April.

The WATCHMAN, which was studied at Scripps, is an alternative to blood thinners that is now available for people at risk of stroke due to atrial fibrillation. The tiny, parachute-like device is implanted into the heart using a catheter to close off the left atrial appendage (an area in the heart where blood can pool and clot). The WATCHMAN is an enormous leap in care for patients on blood thinners who face serious bleeding risks. More than 100 of the devices have already been implanted in Scripps patients.

Dr. Price's presentations include:

  • A physician discussion about whether current data supports closure of the left atrial appendage as an alternative to anticoagulation drugs in low-bleeding risk patients -- Sunday, Oct. 11, at 2:44 p.m. (Moscone West, 3rd Floor, Room 3002-3004).

  • A panel discussion about selecting which patients should receive the WATCHMAN --Monday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. (Moscone South, Lower Level, Exhibit Hall, Presentation Theater 4).

  • A presentation of results of a cost analysis of bleed complications from two stroke prevention strategies in non-valvular atrial fibrillation: left atrial appendage closure with the WATCHMAN versus treatment with the blood thinner warfarin. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 3:30 p.m. (Moscone West, 3rd Floor, Room 3006-3008).

  • A presentation of a difficult case on a patient who had an embolic stroke -- Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7:48 p.m. (Ballroom Level, Continental Ballroom 1-4).

  • Moderation of live cases involving mitral valve interventions and left atrial appendage closure -- Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8 a.m. (Moscone North, Lower Level, Hall D).

Scripps Chief Academic Officer Eric Topol, M.D., an internationally acclaimed cardiologist who is a pioneer in the field of genomics and wireless medicine, will present a keynote lecture titled "How the Digital Health Revolution Will Change Our Lives in the Future" on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9:30 a.m. in the conference's Main Arena.

Following the keynote, at 10:45 a.m., Paul Teirstein, M.D., Scripps Clinic chief of cardiology and director of interventional cardiology, and medical director of the Prebys Cardiovascular Institute, will receive the 2015 Geoffrey O. Hartzler Master Clinical Operator Award from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, sponsor of the TCT conference, during a ceremony in the Main Arena. The award is presented each year to a physician who has advanced the field of interventional cardiovascular medicine through technical excellence and innovation.

Also on Wednesday, Dr. Topol and Dr. Teirstein will conduct a signing of the newly released seventh edition of their "Textbook of Interventional Cardiology" from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the Scripps booth (No. 2524) in the TCT exhibition hall.

Conference presentations by Dr. Teirstein include:

  • A discussion about the resurrection of historical therapies for treating refractory restenosis -- Sunday, Oct. 11, at 5:40 p.m. (Moscone West, 3rd Floor, Room 3001-3005).

  • Discussion of several complex percutaneous coronary intervention cases -- Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Moscone North, Lower Level, Hall D, Presentation Theater 1).

Other Scripps presentations include:

  • A session led by Sarah Clarke, MSN, NP, a Scripps Clinic cardiology nurse practitioner, on transcatheter mitral valve therapies -- Sunday, Oct. 11 at 8 a.m. (Moscone North, Lower Level, Room 135).

TCT 2015 is sponsored annually by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. The scientific session is one of the largest, most prestigious gatherings of the world's leading heart experts. The education-based conference features presentations from pioneers of new techniques and technologies, discussions of clinical advances and the announcements of news and developments that aim to transform cardiovascular care.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, claiming about 600,000 lives each year and accounting for one in every four deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In San Diego County, nearly 4,000 people die of heart disease each year, according to the county Health and Human Services Agency.

Ranked for the best in heart care in San Diego County and No. 19 nationally by U.S. News and World Report, Scripps is also the largest provider of heart medical services in the region, caring for more than 76,000 cardiovascular patients every year. Its newly opened Prebys Cardiovascular Institute brings together leading researchers, physicians and technologies in the most advanced center dedicated to heart care on the West Coast.

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ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats more than 600,000 patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and more than 15,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, hospice and home health care services, 28 outpatient centers and clinics, and hundreds of physician offices throughout the region.

Recognized as a leader in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research, genomic medicine and wireless health care. With three highly respected graduate medical education programs, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps hospitals are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation's best and Scripps is regularly recognized by Fortune, Working Mother magazine and AARP as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at http://www.scripps.org.


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