A “Conspiracy” in AF Management

Symposium 3: Debate Session: Early Rhythm Intervention in AF Management: Catheter Ablation or Medication First?

This witty debate is mediated by Alexander Edo Tondas, MD, PhD and Sebastian Andi Manurung, MD, PhD and features two speakers representing each argument. Benny M. Setiadi, MD presents the case that ablation has shown decreased mortality rates in multiple studies. He also brought up a good point regarding the cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction aspects of catheter ablation. As a rebuttal, I Made Putra Swi Antara, MD makes a quick and light-hearted remark on the reliability of pharmaceutical methods. He argued that using ablation as disease management is contradictory as the method is based on tissue destruction. He also pointed out the bias within the studies mentioned beforehand. Although the debate was insightful and intellectually stimulating, the atmosphere remained friendly and courteous as both of the speakers are good acquaintances.

Symposium 5: The New AF Playbook: From First Episode to Long-Term Management

The role of moderator goes to Muhammad Yamin, MD, PhD and Tommy Daindes, MD in this international panel. This session starts off with Mohammad Iqbal, MD, PhD’s presentation on “Breaking the AF Episode: The Role of Pill-in-the-Pocket Therapy”. In this lecture, he compares the treatment regimens between Indonesian standards and international guidelines. After that, Prof. Yoga Yunadi, MD, PhD brings a wonderful lecture on non-primary arrhythmias titled “Beyond the Acute Episode: A Long-Term Strategy for Secondary AF”. He brings to attention the statistical differences between primary and secondary atrial fibrillation, such as recurrence rates and cerebrovascular risks. To wrap things up, “2025 APHRS Statement: Key Messages for Everyday Practice” was brought by Tze Fan Chao, MD, PhD. 

Symposium 6: Practical EP Skills for Allied Health Professionals

This last symposium of the day focuses on collaborative healthcare. Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, this session is hosted by Arie Restio Fauzi, Amd, TKV and Satria, S.Kep, Ns. Unlike the other sessions, this one features guest speakers from a nursing background, not a medical one. The forum begins with a presentation titled “The Pharmacological Washout: Before Attempting” by Abd Rahman, Ns., M. M, which describes the induction of pharmacological washout in a timely and appropriate manner.  Following, Iyan Solihin, Ns. elaborates on “Optimization of Tachyarrhythmia Induction Using Protocol Pacing”. Catur Wulaningsari, Ns ends the day with a lecture on “Triggering Arrhythmia Using The Pharmacological Effect in EP Lab”. She discusses a clinical problem in arrhythmia induction caused by electrically silent substrates which calls for a pharmacological solution. Overall, this last session does a good job in broadening the audience’s minds and explores arrhythmia management from different healthcare perspectives.