Ashland, Ky. – Local and regional speakers will share information at the educational event “Heart and Vascular Update 2009” highlighting current practices and new horizons in the care of patients with heart and vascular disease.

The forum is planned for Oct. 29-30 by King’s Daughters Medical Center (KDMC) and the Kentucky Heart Foundation.

Medical speakers from the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Louisville’s Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, along with local physicians, will highlight the event that will take place at the KDMC Health Education Center (lower level, Lexington Avenue parking facility).

The program is free but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Continuing education credit is available. To complete registration, visit the KDMC Web site at www.kdmc.com/register or call 606.408.6829. Registration deadline is Oct. 26.

“Heart and Vascular Update 2009” is designed for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and other healthcare providers interested in the latest innovations in heart and vascular care.

The program begins with registration and dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Gustavo A. Heresi, M.D., of the Cleveland Clinic will speak on “Current Concepts in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.”

Friday’s program begins at 8 a.m. with breakfast and registration. Speakers and their programs include: “Waking Providers Up to Sleep Apnea and its Cardiovascular Complications,” cardiologist Earl S. Perrigo, M.D.; “Transcutaneous Valve Surgery,” Juan MacHannaford, M.D., Kentucky Heart Institute cardiothoracic surgeon; “The Diabetes Epidemic, Clinical Lifestyle Intervention,” William P. Marley, Ph.D., Marshall University; “ACC/AHA Guidelines for Management of Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction,” Chris Epling, D.O., Kentucky Heart Institute cardiologist; “Insights into the Causes and Consequences of Congenital Heart Disease,” Bradley B. Keller, M.D., Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville; “Smoke and Mirrors: Reflections on Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence,” Lynn Preston, D.O., Kentucky Heart Institute cardiologist; “Peripheral Artery Disease and Interventions,” Omran Abul-Khoudoud, M.D., KDMC endovascular and vascular surgeon; and “Management of Heart Failure in a Community Clinic after Discharge,” Mark E. Dunlap, M.D., Cleveland, Ohio.

The Kentucky Heart Foundation is a cardiovascular research institute, bringing national research studies to the region to improve life expectancy of those affected by cardiovascular disease.