Monograph Session: Regional Anesthesia for Cardiothoracic Surgery Moderator: Mark A. Chaney, MD
At the conclusion of this session the participant will better understand the potential benefits and risks that intrathecal and/or epidural anesthetic techniques offer patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery with varying degrees of anticoagulation.

New Technologies Moderator: Solomon Aronson, MD
To provide the cardiac anesthesiologist with a balanced overview of recently introduced technologies into clinical care. The potential advantages and limitations of incorporating non-invasive cardiac output monitors and the integration of the Internet into practice will be discussed.

Ventilation/CCM Moderator: Manuel Fontes, MD
At the conclusion of this session, the participant will have an overview of current strategies employed during mechanical ventilation in patients that have acute lung injury aimed at reducing both morbidity and ventilatory time. In addition, the participant will become familiar with newer ventilatory modes which are computer-driven and allow for faster weaning time as well reduce the work of breathing.

Ethics Case Discussions Moderator: Rosemarie Maddi, MD
At the end of the case presentations, the participants will: 1) understand ethical principles involved in medical (patient-physician) decision making; 2) understand the concept and limitations of informed consent; 3) understand a model for ethical decision making when conflicts between physicians, patients and their families arise; and 4) understand the ethical implications of medical decisions, namely DNR, "beating heart donation," withdrawal of treatment etc.

Interactive Case Management Moderators: Gary W. Roach, MD; Zak Hillel, MD, PhD
At the conclusion of this audience participation session, using various clinical diagnostic modalities including TEE, the registrant will be able to perform differential diagnosis and better manage complex cardiovascular surgery cases. Cases to be presented: Air Embolism during Liver Transplant; Protein C Deficiency in a Patient Presenting for Aortic Valve Replacement with Conduit ; Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia and Severe Aortic Atherosclerosis in a Patient Undergoing CABG; Nitric Oxide to Treat Pulmonary Hypertension Following Transplant.

Perioperative Management of Heart Failure Moderator: Robert M. Savage, MD
At the completion of this session the participant will understand: 1) the pathophysiology and current management strategies of patients with end-stage congestive heart failure; 2) the current surgical procedures and principles of intraoperative decision making guided by TEE; 3) the perioperative complications associated with surgical procedures for CHF and their management; and 4) new developments in the management of RV dysfunction incorporating nitric oxide administration.