PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Echo Corner

An Echo clip and explanation for the April edition

Literature Reviews

Hematocrit on Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Outcome after Coronary Surgery in Nontransfused Patients.

Assessment of Arterial Blood Pressure During Support With an Axial Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device

Mitral Repair versus Replacement for Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Study of Intravenous Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Prochymal) After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Inhibition of bacterial disulfide bond formation by the anticoagulant warfarin.

Foundation Update

New FOCUS sites sought; SCA Foundation Reception

SCA Bulletin - Printable Version

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) publishes the SCA Bulletin bimonthly. The information presented in the SCA Bulletin has been obtained by the editors. Validity of opinions presented, drug dosages, accuracy and completeness of content are not guaranteed by SCA.

SCA NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

February iTEE session gets rave reviews

By Gregg S. Hartman, MD

The second series of Introduction to Transesophageal Echocardiography (iTEE): The Basic TEE Exam for Non-cardiac Surgery commenced this past February in San Diego as a weekend course preceding the 13th Annual Comprehensive Review and Update of Perioperative Echocardiography.

This course is designed to introduce the use of TEE to practitioners inexperienced in the modality and to serve as a starting point for those wishing to understand the fundamental principles of performing intraoperative TEE primarily for non-cardiac surgical indications. Both lecture and symposium-style interactive formats were utilized as well as an automated audience response system during the pre- and post-course assessments.

Prosected pig hearts were also available to help solidify the participants’ knowledge of relevant cardiac anatomy and TEE imaging plane orientation. In addition, there were two mannequin-based TEE virtual simulators provided by Heartworks, which permitted attendants to have personalized hands-on instruction throughout the weekend course.

Despite a Northeast USA snowstorm, the attendance was very good, and the participants were enthusiastic. Evaluations from participants which included comments like “this is the best course I’ve attended in the past 20 years!”, were a testament to the faculty’s and SCA’s commitment to providing a high quality course.

The course is produced in collaboration with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and will be repeated three more times this year: April 24-25 at the SCA’s Annual Meeting in New Orleans, May 15-16 and October 30-31 in Orlando.
A pathway for National Board of Echocardiography (NBE) certification in Basic TEE has also been recently established. This year marks the first year a certification examination is offered by the NBE in Basic Perioperative TEE.

This exam can be taken at multiple computer test centers this November 2010. Details pertaining to NBE certification and on-line registration for the examination can be found at at www.echoboards.com. The deadline for registering is April 16, 2010.