10th Annual Comprehensive Review & Update of Perioperative Echo

February 5-10, 2007
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
San Diego, CA

General Information

Statement of Need

Perioperative echocardiography has become an integral tool in the management of patients undergoing various cardiac surgical procedures. However, the development of expertise demands an understanding of ultrasound technology and its utilization in the evaluation and guidance of the surgical management of cardiovascular dysfunction. The members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Echocardiography have demanded interdisciplinary, patient-oriented educational programs to teach the requisite skills necessary for this diagnostic and monitoring to impact patient care. This interdisciplinary program sponsored by the SCA and offered in cooperation with ASE has been developed to meet the growing demand for such educational needs.

Target Audience

This course is designed for anesthesiologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and sonographers as a comprehensive review of perioperative echocardiography.

Basic (February 5-7)

Course Objectives

The program will focus on the basic physical principles and perioperative applications of ultrasound technology. The program will include didactics and interactive case discussions to review the role of perioperative echocardiography in diagnosing cardiac and great vessel pathology in patients undergoing cardiac and non-cardiac surgical procedures. A “wet lab” experience with pig hearts will be available to demonstrate surgical cardiac anatomy and highlight the technical issues which should be addressed during an intraoperative echocardiographic examination.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be capable of understanding the application of basic echocardiographic diagnostic principles in the surgical patient including the correlation of surgical and echocardiographic anatomy of the heart, and the technical considerations involved in mitral valve repair, aortic valve/root repair or replacement, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and surgical management of congestive heart failure.

After attending the Basic Transesophageal Echo educational activity the participant will:

  • Understand the basic principles of 2D echo, spectral and color Doppler echocardiography;
  • Recognize the components of the comprehensive perioperative echocardiographic examination
  • Learn to recognize basic cardiac and great vessel anatomy, and evaluate basic function of the ventricles and heart valves;
  • Be aware of common artifacts and misinterpretations of cardiac anatomy;
  • Have the basic knowledge necessary to establish an Echo Service that incorporates quality assurance as part of a perioperative TEE program and enhances patient care.

Designation Statement

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists designates this educational activity for a maximum of 27.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ . Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Advanced (February 8-10)

Course Objectives

The program will focus on advanced physical principles and perioperative applications of ultrasound technology. The program will include an in-depth review of the influence of perioperative echocardiography on the anesthetic management and surgical decision-making process of patients undergoing cardiac and non-cardiac surgical procedures utilizing didactics and interactive case presentations.

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be capable of understanding the application of advanced echocardiographic diagnostic principles in the surgical patient including:

  • The physics of ultrasound and its incorporation into current echocardiographic technology
  • Ventricular function and regional wall motion assessment and its correlation with other diagnostic studies such as coronary angiography
  • The pathophysiology of valvular heart disease and its perioperative assessment
  • Newer echocardiographic techniques including three-dimensional echocardiography, strain and strain rate, myocardial viability assessment
  • The role of perioperative echocardiography used in guiding surgical decision making for cardiac surgical patients undergoing myocardial revascularization, valve repair or replacement, myectomy for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, congenital heart disease, thoracic aorta repair, biventricular resynchronization and procdures for heart failure

Designation Statement

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists designates this educational activity for a maximum of 24.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ . Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists has fully complied with the legal requirements of the ADA and the rules and regulations thereof. If any participant in this educational activity is in need of special accommodations, please contact SCA at (804) 282-0084 by January 4, 2007 in order to receive service.

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