Statement of Need
Intraoperative 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 ASE has been developed to meet the growing demand for such educational needs.

Surgical Anatomy Wet Laboratory and Basic Transesophageal Echo (February 10-12)

Target Audience
This course is designed for anesthesiologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and sonographers as a comprehensive review of intraoperative echo.

Course Objectives
The program will focus on the physical principles of ultrasound technology and their intraoperative application. This will include the anesthetic management and surgical decision-making process of patients undergoing cardiac and noncardiac surgical procedures utilizing interactive case presentations. A "wet lab" experience with cow hearts will be available to demonstrate surgical cardiac anatomy and highlight the technical issues which must be addressed by the intraoperative echo.

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 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;
• Learn to recognize basic cardiac anatomy, conduct a basic TEE examination, and evaluate basic function of the left ventricle and heart valves;
• Be aware of common errors and misinterpretations of cardiac anatomy;
• Have the basic knowledge necessary to establish an Echo Service that incorporates quality assurance as part of an intraoperative TEE program and enhances patient care.

Accreditation & Designation
The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists designates this educational activity for a maximum of 26 hours in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

Annual Comprehensive Review & Update of Perioperative Echocardiography:
Clinical Decision Making in the Cardiac Surgery Patient (February 13-15)

Target Audience
This course is designed for anesthesiologists, cardiologists, sonographers, and cardiac surgeons as a comprehensive review of intraoperative echo.

Course Objectives
The program will focus on the physical principles of ultrasound technology and their intraoperative application. This will include the anesthetic management and surgical decision-making process of adult and pediatric patients undergoing cardiac and noncardiac surgical procedures.

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
• the components of the comprehensive intraoperative echo examination
• 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 intraoperative assessment
• the principles guiding the surgical decision making process in cardiac surgery involving myocardial revascularization, valve repair or replacement, myectomy for LVOT obstruction, congenital heart disease, and thoracic aorta repair

Accreditation & Designation

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists designates this educational activity for a maximum of 25 hours in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

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