The first Welsh conference for patients with an implanted cardiac defibrillator will take place at the new Ramada Plaza Hotel, Wrexham, today.
An ICD is a small device that is surgically implanted into the chest wall which monitors the patient's heartbeat. It reacts to a disturbance in the heart rhythm either by providing an electrical impulse to correct minor irregularities, in the same way as a standard artificial pacemaker, or in more serious cases, by supplying a shock to restart the heart.
About 100 guests are expected to attend the conference, which will bring together ICD patients and their families, cardiologists, GP's, and other health service staff from across North Wales.
During the day they will hear presentations from a number of expert speakers drawn from both Wales and the North West of England, including consultants, nurse specialists and representatives of patient support groups, as well as hearing from a patient who has had a device.
The conference will also feature exhibition displays by organisation and charities who provide assistance to patients and their families living with an ICD.
The conference marks the start or Arrhythmia Awareness Week in Wrexham Maelor Hospital. During this time members of the North East Wales NHS Trust's cardiac services will be working to increase awareness and understanding of cardiac conditions and their treatment among both staff and members of the public.
Bernice Matthews, cardiac rehabilitation nurse for the Trust, said: "We organised the conference initially for patients who have already had an ICD implanted.
"We did this to provide a forum for these individuals and their families to obtain information, advice and support. We hope that this will give them the opportunity to mix with others who have had a similar experience, removing the isolation and worry that some individuals experience.
"We have e number of support groups and charities attending, along with our local ICD support groups. We will have information for patients and their families on rehabilitation and exercise and financial support that may be appropriate for them.
"Another important aspect of the conference is that health service staff will hear from patients living with an ICD and this in turn will help us to see things from their perspective and get a better ideal of how we can improve the care we provide, not just for them but also for patients in the future."
The charities that will be represented today include:
CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young)
SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome)
CMA (Cardiomyopathy Association)
STARS (Syncope Trust and Reflex Anoxic Seizures)
