20th Anniversary AF Symposium: Advancing Excellence in Atrial Fibrillation Research, Education and Care
Join us in celebrating 20 years of impact and innovation at the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders (CHRD). This milestone event will honour the remarkable achievements of our team, alumni, and patients who have shaped the field of cardiac electrophysiology and advanced care for those living with atrial fibrillation.
The CHRD 20th Anniversary AF Symposium is more than a celebration–it’s a platform for exchange of cutting-edge science, clinical insight, and collaborative innovation in atrial fibrillation care.
Highlights Include:
- Presentations from over 30 former CHRD fellows, researchers, and PhD students reflecting on career progression and scientific contributions.
- Sessions exploring advancements in AF treatment, lifestyle and risk factor management, and future directions in care.
- Patient perspectives on living with atrial fibrillation, adding a human dimension to clinical discussions.
- Networking receptions, optional workshops, and panel discussions with leading experts from Australia and abroad.
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CPD points available - attendance at the Symposium is eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for health professional.
Event details
Official Opening Night - Thursday 16 October 2025
5.00 - 6.30pm, Bonython Hall
Free entry - registration essential (limited capacity)
Symposium Day 1 - Friday 17 October 2025
8.30am - 4.30pm, Bonython Hall
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided
Tickets: $10.00
Symposium Day 2 - Saturday 18 October 2025
8.30am - 4.30pm, Bonython Hall
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided
Tickets: $10.00
Key topics
- Mechanisms / Substrate
- New Risk Factors
- Obesity and AF
- AF Ablation
- Remote Monitoring & Device Therapy
- Digital Health
Organising committee
- Professor Prash Sanders
- Associate Professor Adrian Elliott
- Dr Melissa Middeldorp
- Dr Jonathan Ariyaratnam
- Mr Adriano Catalano
- Ms Denae Schmidtke
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Speakers
Speakers for the event are by invitation only.
Plenary speakers
Professor Prash Sanders
Professor Sanders is a clinical academic based at the University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Insititute. He is the Director of the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the University of Adelaide; Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing at the Royal Adelaide Hospital; and the Group Leader for Heart Rhythm Disorders at SAHMRI.
He graduated from the University of Adelaide with Honours, awarded several prizes and named on the Dean’s list for academic merit. He trained as a Cardiologist was at the Royal Adelaide Hospital before sub-specialising in Cardiac Electrophysiology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. His doctoral studies at the University of Melbourne were under the mentorship of Professor Jonathan Kalman. His postdoctoral studies were with the team of Professor Michel Haissaguerre at the Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque and Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux II, Bordeaux, France.
In 2005 he moved back to Adelaide and has established a formidable team of clinicians and researchers who span the spectrum of research into heart rhythm disorders; ranging from computer modelling of cardiac arrhythmias, cellular electrophysiology, small and large animal models of disease to evaluate arrhythmia mechanisms, clinical mechanistic, outcome and more recently population based studies. The group has an established clinical trials program and is involved in development of novel technologies.
Professor Sanders has published in excess of 600 peer-reviewed manuscripts which have been cited over 68,000 times and an H-index of 102 (GS).
Professor Sanders has been awarded several accolades. Most recently the Eric Susman Prize from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (2020) for the best contribution to the knowledge of any branch of internal medicine.
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Program
Download the 20th Anniversary AF Symposium program.