Heart Transplantation and Advanced Heart Failure: An Expert Update on Diagnosis and Treatment Options 2010

This two day course features expert presenters on subject areas identified as part of the new American Board of Internal Medicine certification exam in heart failure and transplantation. This educational activity offers 14 hours of intensive teaching focused on core competencies of Advanced Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support, Pulmonary Hypertension and Transplant Cardiology. The course will include a combination of didactic lectures and case based presentations with emphasis on guidelines, knowledge, and practice management.

With our aging population and improved survival after myocardial infarction, heart failure prevalence and associated morbid and fatal event rates have continued to climb. At the same time, we have seen major advances in diagnosis and treatment, which have converted the diagnosis of heart failure from that of an extremely high mortality rate to one of a guarded prognosis and protracted course, but often with the opportunity for improved functional status and sometimes with the complete resolution of structural abnormalities, signs, and symptoms with proper treatment. Therapeutic options for patients with advanced heart failure, including heart transplant and ventricular assist devices (VADs), have become increasingly complex, requiring substantial technical proficiency and advanced training.

This activity is intended for Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologists, Community Cardiologists and Cardiology Fellows interested in increasing their competency and knowledge of evidence-based management guidelines in heart failure and transplantation.

Education Objectives

• Define and describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of heart failure for optimal management of heart failure risk factors.
  
  
• Recognize and employ evidence-based heart failure management guidelines and treatment options to minimize complications for patients with heart failure.
  
  
• Identify and apply indications and contraindications for heart transplantation to better manage the evaluation and selection process for heart transplant candidates.
  
  
• Recognize and assess post heart transplant complications and use appropriate treatment options to balance the risks of both rejection and infection and minimize side effects of immunosuppressants.