
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | Appalachian Wireless Arena, Pikeville, KY

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Saturday, January 24, 2026 | Appalachian Wireless Arena, Pikeville, KY

7:30am..............................................Registration & Provided Breakfast
7:55am........................................................................Opening Remarks
Moderator: Chase Reynolds, MD
Medical Director, Heart & Vascular Institute Director,Arrythmia Services & Electrophysiology Pikeville Medical Center
8:00am.......Transcatheter Valve Intervention: TAVR & TEER Advances, Outcome, and Clinical Integration
Objectives: Describe Mitral stenosis Apply
Learning Objectives:
Describe indications and patient selection for TAVR and Mitral Clip. Summarize key trail results that inform the use of these interventions. Identify the clinical utility of each procedure for aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Apply updated guidelines in clinical practice for better decision making. Evaluate long-term outcomes and their impact on patient management. Maen Assali, MD, FACC, FSCAI
9:00am…….………….......................................Tricuspid Regurgitation: EP-Structural Collaboration in the Extraction Era
Objectives: tricuspid
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the importance of the tricuspid valve in the era of device therapy. Describe the rising use of lead extraction. Evaluate the growing role of transcatheter tricuspid therapies. Kevin Parrott, MD
Describe transcatheter hands-on tissue
10:00am............................................................................................Break
A 30-minute break is scheduled to support independent, hands-on educational exploration of TAVR and wet tissue lab equipment.
10:30am……..................……………AF Management in the Modern Era Highlights From The 2023 Guidelines
Objectives: basics
Learning Objectives: Review the basics of atrial fibrillation management. Compare paroxysmal atrial fibrillation vs persistent atrial fibrillation. Review antiarrhythmic drugs vs ablation. Joseph Souza, MD, MS, FACC, FHRS Provided

11:30am…....Management of Women with Cardiovascular Disease and Congenital Heart Disease During Pregnancy and Post-Partum
Learning Objectives:
Describe the use of cardiovascular risk calculators during pregnancy.
Describe monitoring strategies during pregnancy and approaches to delivery planning. Describe postpartum management and long-term management. Ashley Brunmeier, MD
12:30pm.......................................................................Prepare for Lunch
Lunch is provided. Participants will eat during the next lecture.
12:45pm.......................Complex Coronary Interventions and High-Risk Patients: Navigating Techniques, Technology, and Evidence
Learning Objectives: Evaluate the merits and risks of high-risk PCI in 2026.
Adrian W. Messerli, MD
1:45pm………..…....……..…Pacemaker & ICD Infection Management
Learning Objectives:
Recognize the mortality of guideline directed management for Cardiac Implant Electronic Device (CIED) infections. Identify reasons for lack of CIED infection guideline adherence.
Identify areas of potential improvement to increase CIED infection guideline directed management. Robert Lewis, MD, PhD, MBA
2:45pm......................Mechanical Circulatory Support for Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock
Learning Objectives:
Describe the physiologic basis for common types of heart failure and cardiogenic shock.
Explain how different mechanical circulatory support devices are matched to specific physiologic problems.
Cardiovascular and Post-Partum the mortality CIED and physiologic to
Identify when to involve and when not to involve the mechanical support team. John Gurley, MD, FACC, FACP
3:45pm……..………………………………………………… Adjournment
Thank you for attending. We appreciate your interest in the EKY Heart & Vascular Symposium.
It is the policy of Pikeville Medical Center to adhere to ACCME Criteria, Policies, and Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education in order to ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its accredited activities. All faculty and planners, along with the Activity Director and Co-Director, participating in accredited activities are expected to disclose relevant financial relationships pertaining to their contribution to the activity. Relationship information is analyzed to determine whether conflicts of interest exist. All conflicts of interest are mitigated prior to participation in the planning or implementation of this activity.
Faculty members are also expected to disclose any discussion of (1) off label or investigational uses of FDA approved commercial products or devices or (2) products or devices not yet approved in the United States. All disclosures will be made at the time of this accredited continuing education activity.
All of the relevant financial relationships for the above individuals will be mitigated prior to the symposium.
Resolution: The educational content has been peer reviewed, an attestation on file with no conflicts noted.
of Individual
Chase Reynolds, MD
Maen Assali, MD, FACC, FSCAI
John Gurley, MD, FACC, FACP
Ashley Brunmeier, MD
Adrian W. Messerli, MD
Robert Lewis, MD, PhD, MBA
Kevin Parrott, MD
Joseph Souza, MD, MS, FACC, FHRS Planner,
Medtronic, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Edward Lifescience
Consultant, Researcher
Medtronic, Philips, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson
Medtronic, Merit Medical
Medtronic, Jude Medical, Vital Connect, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Boston Scientific
Consultant, Researcher
Speaker, Consultant, Proctor Consultant, Advisory Board
Speaker, Former Advisory Board Member
Brenda Adams, CCMEC Director of CME
Amy Tibbs Medical Education Coordinator
Keylee Coleman, BSN, RN Staff Development Specialist
American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Recognition Statement:
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 7 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Pikeville Medical Center is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Pikeville Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Pikeville Medical Center is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing as a continuing medical education provider and will award 7 nursing contact hours for this program. KBN provider number 4-0042-12-26-0014 “Kentucky Board of Nursing approval of an individual nursing education provider does not constitute endorsement of program content.”




Professor of Medicine
Interventional Cardiologist
Director, Structural Heart Program
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, Lexington, KY


Professor of Medicine
Interventional Cardiologist
Director, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship
University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY



Assistant Professor of Medicine
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Cardiology
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, Lexington, KY


Assistant Professor of Medicine
Cardiac Electrophysiologist

This educational activity is supported in part by an independent educational grant from
We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of our symposium exhibitors. Your support plays a vital role in making this event possible









AT PIKEVILLE MEDICAL CENTER
The Heart and Vascular Institute of East Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) began in a modest single-room mobile unit parked behind the hospital and has now evolved into a cutting-edge facility that stands as a symbol of resilience and progress for our region. With the help of grant funding, PMC is able to expand, purchase state-of-the-art equipment and recruit top cardiovascular specialists. The impact has been transformational for the entire region. The center embodies a spirit of dedication, perseverance and commitment to advancing cardiacandvascularhealthcareinCentralAppalachia.
It was from these humble beginnings that the first cardiac intervention was performed, setting in motion a series of monumental milestones that have revolutionized healthcare in Eastern Kentucky and the broader Central Appalachia. One of the most significant strides occurred in 2018, with the addition of three state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs. These labs, equipped with two Hybrid Suites capable of converting into full operating rooms, provided a new level of flexibility. For the first time, complex procedures requiring both minimally invasive techniques and surgical approaches could be performed in the same room,offeringpatientslife-savingcarewithoutdelay.
PMC offers a wide spectrum of cardiovascular care, from preventative screenings to complex surgeries. Advanced cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail enhance patient safety and comfort. At PMC, "time is muscle," and nowhere is this more apparent than in our remarkable door-to-balloon times for heart attack patients. While the national standard is 90 minutes, our average is consistently between 50 and 60 minutes, with a record of an astonishing 26 minutes.

The journey of the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center is a testament to our vision of providing exceptional care to a region that once faced limited access to advanced cardiac treatments and specialtyservices.

In early Spring, 2024, the Electrophysiology team at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) made history during a procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) in a 55-year-old patient. PMC Electrophysiologist Joseph Souza, MD, was preparing to perform a routine catheter ablation on the patient when it was discovered the patient had an extremelyrareheartcondition.
Instead of having one muscular wall separating the upper chambers of the heart, there were two, a heart anomaly that had only been documented 18 times worldwide. This required Dr. Souza and his team to take a different approach to treating the patient, ultimately deciding to use advanced technology available at PMCtoperformaprocedurethathadneverbeendocumentedbefore.
During this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Souza used a balloon septostomy to allow a catheter to successfully pass through the double-wall septa and move from the right atrium of the heart to the left. He then utilized the state-of-the-art Medtronic PulseSelect Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System to deliver pulsed electric fields through an ablation catheter designed specifically to interrupt the irregularelectricalpathwaysintheheartthattriggerAfib.
The members of the electrophysiology (EP) team at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC were thrilled to perform this procedure, knowing they had successfully navigated new territory in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Dr. Souza was assisted by PMC Electrophysiologists Dr. Chase Reynolds, Dr. Rahul Dhawan and Dr. Michael Antimisiaris in addition to PMC CardiologistDr.RaymonNelson.
“To our knowledge, we reported the first case of this kind utilizing the PFA technology,” explained Dr. Souza. “We wanted to share this news with the medical community and other electrophysiologists with the hope that they may find this technique helpful when dealing with difficult cases. This could have not happened without the support we consistently receive from the administration at Pikeville MedicalCenter.”
Dr. Souza and the EP team at PMC submitted an article detailing the novel procedure to Heart Rhythm Case Reports, the premier medical journal in the field of electrophysiology. The article was published within weeks, spreading the news ofthishistory-makingeventworldwide.
“As we look to improve cardiovascular care in the region, PMC strives to utilize the latest technology available to meet the needs of our patients and our physicians,” explained PMC Chairman, President and CEO Donovan Blackburn. “This is most certainlyamonumentalmomentforourmedicalcenterandourentireregion.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 1 in 7 strokes are caused by A-Fib, which, many times, goes undetectedinpatientsforlongperiodsoftime.
Patients with long-standing, persistent A-Fib may be candidates for a new type of hybrid ablation procedure that is proving to be a game changer for qualifying patients. Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is one of the first hospitals in the country and one of only three hospitals in Kentucky to offer Hybrid AF Therapy, which is twice as effective at stopping A-Fib than traditional ablation methods alone, and is the only FDA-approved minimally invasive ablation therapy to treat atrial fibrillationlastinglongerthanoneyear.
Historically, this category of A-Fib patients has been more challenging to treat, but with the proven success of this new therapy and the highly skilled team assembled at PMC, surgeons in Pikeville are now performing one of the most advanced proceduresavailableanywhereinthecountry.
The Hybrid AF Therapy utilizes a team approach and involves two types of specialized cardiac surgeons, electrophysiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. The Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC is proud to offer three electrophysiologists, Dr. Chase Reynolds, Dr. Joseph Souza and Dr. Rahul Dwahan, andtwocardiothoracicsurgeons,Dr.DermotHalpinandDr.M.PaulRandhawa.
PMC prides itself in continuing to offer new and innovative therapies for patients who had limited options in the past, creating additional opportunities for patients toreceivestate-of-the-artcardiaccareclosetohome.

Cardiac Electrophysiology
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Pacemaker & Defibrillation Implantation with Follow Up
Cardiac Arrhythmia Evaluation
Radio Frequency (RF) Catheter Ablation for Arrhythmia
Atrial Fibrillation Management & Ablation
Heart Failure Pacemaker & Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillation
(ICD) Implantation with Follow Up
Fainting Disorders
Device Lead Management & Extraction
Device Checks & Reprogramming
Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Ablation (In Conjunction with CT Surgery)
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (Watchman)
Electrophysiology Studies
Atrial Flutter Ablation
Supraventricular Tachycardia Ablation
Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation (Ischemic and Non-Ischemic)
Premature Ventricular Depolarization Ablation
Bi-Ventricular Pacemaker and Defibrillator Implantation
Micra Pacemaker Insertion
Device Lead Extraction and Management - Laser and Manual
Generator Changes
Pericardiocentesis
Temporary and Bridge Pacemaker
Pulmonary Pressure Monitoring (Cardiomems)
Loop Recorders
Cardiology
Preventive & General Cardiology
Transthoracic Echocardiography
Transesophageal Echocardiography
Stress Echocardiography
Holter Monitoring
Impedance Cardiography
Stress Testing Including Nuclear Cardiac Stress Testing
Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography
Diagnostic Cardiac Cath (Invasive Cardiology)

Aortic & Peripheral Vascular Surgeries
Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
Biventricular Defibrillator & Pacemaker
Cardiac Valve Surgery
Carotid Artery Surgery
Congenital Heart Defects
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (On & Off Pump)
ENB (Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy)/
Endobronchial Ultrasound/Bronchial Stenting
Lung Cancer Surgery
Lung & Chest Wall Resections
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Off-Pump Bypass
Open Heart Procedures
Surgical Approach to Esophageal Disease
TAVR
Valve Surgery
Valvular Heart Disease
Video Assisted Thoracoscopy
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Procedures
(In conjunction with EP)
Left Atrial Appendage Ligation
Emergent Treatment of Heart Attacks
Diagnostic Heart Catheterization
Robotic Heart and Lung Surgery
Coronary Stents & Angioplasty
Medical Management of Blocked/Clogged Heart Arteries
Mitral Clips
PFO/ASD Closures and VSD Closures
Peripheral Angiography
Peripheral Stents & Angioplasty
Medical Management of Blocked/Clogged
Peripheral Arteries
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Carotid Stenting

Carotid & Vascular Ultrasound
Echocardiography
Peripheral Artery Disease/Stress Testing
Non-Surgical Treatment of Narrowed Heart Valves
Holter Monitoring
Event Monitoring
Stress Test
Advanced Heart Failure
Pulmonary Hypertension
Cardiomems
Coronary Athrectomy
Coronary Stents & Angioplasty
Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Impella Catheter
Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions
Rotoblator Artherectomy
Dysautononmia Dysfunction
Angioplasty & Stents of Extremities
Aneurysm Repair
Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid Endarterectomy
Carotid Stenting
Diagnostic Arteriography
Dialysis Access Maintenance
Deep Venous Thrombosis
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Endovascular Peripheral Interventions
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Bypass Grafting
Renal Dialysis Access
Sclerotherapy
Varicose Vein Surgery
Venous Disease
Chronic Venous Swelling
Peripheral Venous Stenting
Peripheral Venograms
Stents
Varicose Vein Disease
Varicose Vein Management with Ablation




Cardiac Electrophysiologists at the Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center are well-equipped to treat patients experiencing all types of irregular heart rhythms. Electrophysiologists are commonly referred to as "electricians of the heart," and PMC has an experienced team of electrophysiologists which includes Dr. Chase Reynolds, Dr. Joseph SouzaandDr.RahulDhawan.
These physicians are part of a team of specialized heart surgeons who treat the full breadth of conditions that involve the heart's electrical system. They specialize in the treatment of various heart conditions including Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) and are trained to perform many minimally invasive procedures such as pacemaker and defibrillator implantations, cardioversionsandablations.
Chase Reynolds, MD, returned to his hometown of Pikeville to join the PMC Electrophysiology team in 2014. Recently, PMC welcomed Joseph Souza, MD, FACC, FHRS, to its team after working many years in Lexington, Kentucky. In July 2023, Dr. Ruhal Dhawan joined the team. Most of PMC's electrophysiologists are board certified andhavemanyyearsofexperience.
This expert team of cardiac specialists has played a major role in the growth of the Heart and Vascular Institute of EasternKentuckyatPMC.


PMC made headlines as the first hospital in Kentucky to offer a new, innovative "arterial thrombectomy" device.
This device, the Penumbra Lightning Bolt™ 7, was created to aid physicians in extracting blood clots quickly and efficiently from peripheral arteries. These types of blood clots oftentimes require invasive open surgery or can result in amputation. The minimally invasive Lightning Bolt™ 7 system uses computer-aided clot detection technology that modulates aspiration. Simply put, this technology is designed to speed up clot removal while leaving healthy blood circulating throughout the body and does so in a minimally invasive manner.
Al Addasi, MD, a Vascular/Endovascular Surgeon at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center, was the first in Kentucky to utilize this advanced system. He performed this procedure on April 27th, 2023 and the patient was released to go home the same day.
Because of PMC's commitment to providing exceptional cardiac and endovascular care, the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky provides the region with comprehensive care through outstanding facilities, expert staff and cutting-edge technology.








