SCA Survivors Forum: A Workshop for Patients, Families, and Medical Professionals

1. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivors Forum:
A Workshop for Patients, Families, and Medical Professionals
2010 Emergency Cardiovascular Care Update
Pres ented j oi ntly by th e
Sudd en Car diac Arr es t As soci a tio n a nd th e
Sudd en Car diac Arr es t Fo unda tio n
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel
Betsy B
San Diego, California
December 8, 2010
1:00-5:00 pm
PART 1: PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
1:00-1:10 PM Welcome and Introductions
Mary Newman, President, SCA Foundation
Lisa Levine, CAE, President, SCAA
1:10-1:40 PM: Life After Death:
What We Can Learn From Survivors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Bobby V. Khan, MD, PhD, and Mary Newman
SCA Foundation
Dr. Khan will share his experiences and insights related to the prevention and
treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. In addition, Ms. Newman will present a profile
of sudden cardiac arrest survivors and their experiences, based on the SCA
Foundation’s searchable database of survivors of sudden cardiac arrest, which
enjoys representation from nearly every state and territory in the U.S. Research
using this database reveals surprising information about the characteristics and
experiences of this remarkable, growing community.
1:40-2:10 PM Extending the Chain of Survival:
th
The 7 Link of Rehabilitation and Recovery
Vince Mosesso, MD
University of Pittsburgh Department of Emergency Medicine
For many years, the goal of resuscitation has been to restore spontaneous
circulation and achieve sufficient neurological recovery, so that survivors can be
discharged from the hospital and function with some degree of independence.
Recently, with the formation of survivor support groups, an array of more subtle
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2. neuro-psychiatric problems has been recognized. These include emotional
lability, memory and other cognitive deficits, plus various psychiatric effects.
These symptoms and deficits have not been widely examined and little in the
way of research, professional counseling, or assistance is available. This
presentation will review what is known, suggest additional research, and propose
a framework for improving awareness and understanding of these issues. The
need for professional education on this topic for providers who care for survivors
of cardiac arrest and for comprehensive rehabilitation programs tailored for
survivors of cardiac arrest will be discussed.
2:10-2:50 PM Living and Loving Life: After Cardiac Arrest
Eva Serber, PhD
Brown University
First you survive. Then you learn how to live again. Your family also undergoes
changes as they adapt to the shock of your experience. Dr. Eva Serber, an
expert in the psychological care and quality of life outcomes of implantable
cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients, will provide practical information, and
facilitate a discussion among survivors and family members. Topics will include:
Resiliency, behavioral health, prevention of poor adjustment, emotions and
cardiovascular disease, what to look for in self and loved ones, ways to improve
mood and return to life.
2:50-3:00 PM Resources for Survivors and Families
Lisa Levine, CAE, and Mary Newman
Ms. Newman and Ms. Levine will present an overview of their national SCA
survivor initiatives, resources and communities.
3:00-3:15 PM BREAK: Survivors depart for orientation.
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3. PART 2: MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
3:15-3:45 PM The Survivor Experience, Pre- and Post- Resuscitation
Ben Abella, MD, MPhil
University of Pennsylvania
Given traditionally low survivor rates, research on SCA survivors is lacking.
Working with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, the University of
Pennsylvania Emergency Department’s Center for Resuscitation Science
completed one of the largest studies of SCA survivors to date, identifying
interesting trends about pre-SCA and post-resuscitation experiences.
3:45-4:15 PM Optimizing Patient Outcomes: Role of the Healthcare Professional
Eva Serber, PhD
Brown University
Allied professionals and first responders play a significant role in optimizing
patients’ outcomes. Instilling confidence and providing hope to patients and
families can go a long way from initial reaction to recovery and return to life. This
presentation will review the benefits of support and education provided by health
care professionals who spend time with the patients and families. The following
topics will be addressed:
• Social support and education, including the value of communication
• Patient needs and preferences
• Benefits of education and support group interventions
• How to assess patient needs and/or concerns
• Screening for psychological distress.
4:15-5:00 PM Open Discussion
BIOGRAPHIES
Ben Abella, MD, MPhil, is Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine; Clinical
Research Director, Center for Resuscitation Science; and Assistant Professor of Pulmonary,
Allergy and Critical Care at the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as Associate Director
of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Resuscitation Science. Dr. Abella’s research focuses
on evaluation of CPR and resuscitation performance, testing new methods to teach CPR in the
community, prognostication of neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest, and methods to
improve the application of therapeutic hypothermia. He is also the developer and medical director
of a novel training course for therapeutic hypothermia use in the hospital setting. Contact:
Benjamin.Abella@uphs.upenn.edu
Bobby Khan, MD, PhD, immediate past Chairman of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation
Board of Directors, is Director of the Atlanta Vascular Research Foundation/ St. Joseph's
Translational Research Institute. Dr. Khan’s research interests include studying mechanisms of
action in the progression of atherosclerosis and heart failure and drug/ non-drug therapies that
may slow or stall this progression. A Fulbright scholar and popular international lecturer, Dr.
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4. Khan’s work has been published in numerous peer-review journals. Contact:
bobby.khan@atlantaclinicalresearch.com.
Lisa A. Levine, CAE, is President of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association in which she brings
together a diverse community of policymakers, national thought leaders and advocates to
advance initiatives in the prevention and treatment of SCA. Prior to SCAA, Levine served as
President of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation for 10 years, where she oversaw
increases in both membership and revenue growth, developed strategic coalition relationships
and expanded the organization’s volunteer presence. Prior to that, she spent 15 years in
leadership positions with the Community Association Institute and American Heart Association,
Nation’s Capital Affiliate. Contact: llevine@suddencardiacarrest.org.
Vincent Mosesso, MD, is Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and
medical director of the UPMC pre-hospital care team. Throughout his career, Dr. Mosesso has
been active as a volunteer, paramedic, administrator, teacher, and researcher in the pre-hospital
field. He chaired the American Heart Association (AHA) Allegheny Division's Operation Heartbeat
program and now serves on the national AHA Basic Life Support committee and AED Task
Force. His recent research includes serving as the principal investigator for the Pittsburgh site of
the Public Access Defibrillation Trial and the ASPIRE Trial, which is evaluating a mechanical CPR
device. Dr. Mosesso has coupled his distinguished career as a physician and educator with a
leadership role in advocacy and patient support. He helped found the National Center for Early
Defibrillation and then was a founding board member for its successor organization, the Sudden
Cardiac Arrest Association. He continues to serve as SCAA’s Medical Director. Contact:
mosessovn@msx.upmc.edu.
Mary M. Newman is President of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, a national nonprofit
organization whose mission is to raise awareness and save lives threatened by sudden cardiac
arrest. Previously she served as Executive Director of the National Center for Early Defibrillation
at the University of Pittsburgh, where she led the creation of the nation’s first sudden cardiac
arrest survivor network. Prior to that, Ms. Newman researched the use of AEDs by law
enforcement, at the workplace, and by the general public, while at Krannert Institute of
Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine. She was founding editor of the Citizen CPR
Foundation/ American Heart Association newsletter, Currents in Emergency Cardiac Care and
served on the Founding Board of Directors of the Citizen CPR Foundation for 17 years. Ms.
Newman is co-author of Challenging Sudden Death: A Community Guide to Help Save Lives.
Contact: mary.newman@sca-aware.org.
Eva R. Serber, PhD, is a staff psychologist at The Miriam Hospital and an assistant professor
(research) of psychiatry and human behavior at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown
University. Her primary research interests are in psychosocial and behavioral cardiology;
optimizing medical, psychosocial, and behavioral interventions; and enhancing quality of life,
particularly among cardiac patients with arrhythmias and cardiac devices. Dr. Serber is principal
investigator of an NHLBI-funded clinical trial examining the effects of an exercise intervention
versus a heart-healthy education intervention on autonomic function, and frequencies of
arrhythmias and ICD therapies, and psychosocial well-being among ICD patients. She also
provides clinical care to cardiac patients including education and support to both patients and
cardiologists to enhance the patient’s wellbeing and wellness. In both her research and clinical
patient care, Dr. Serber’s goal is to improve treatment of cardiac patients, thereby improving their
quality of life. Contact: eserber@lifespan.org.
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