International Symposium to explore Hybrid approach for congenital heart disease

Aug 31 2010

Interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons throughout the United States and the world, who treat patients with congenital heart disease, will gather at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center August 31-September 2, 2010 for the International Symposium on the Hybrid Approach to Congenital Heart Disease (ISHAC). This is the fifth annual ISHAC, and this year, the Symposium returns to Columbus after a shared meeting with Mario Carminati's, MD, workshop last year in Milan, Italy.

The 2006 ISHAC was the first of its kind dedicated to exploring advancements in "Hybrid" management strategies which combine surgical and transcatheter therapies in order to minimize the cumulative impact of treatment for complex congenital heart disease (CHD). In the U.S. alone, more than 40,000 babies are born with some form of CHD and many require high risk surgical procedures. A June 2008 report by the prestigious Advisory Board noted, "This procedure is becoming increasingly viewed as a must-have for leading children's hospitals. The number of Hybrid pediatric labs is eventually expected to increase to the point where nearly all progressive children's hospitals focused on advanced cardiac work have them."

During Hybrid procedures, cardiothoracic surgeons and interventional cardiologists work collaboratively to correct defects in the heart, often with the use of stents and devices delivered through limited surgical access. Nationwide Children's is considered the benchmark institution in this area where two uniquely designed Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Suites were opened in June, 2004 - the first in the world dedicated to this new therapy. In November 2007, Nationwide Children's opened the first dedicated state-of-the-art Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite in the U.S. This operating suite is designed specifically around the cardiac surgeon and cardiac surgical patient, offering new advanced access and imaging in an operating room environment. The Suite facilitates rapid information sharing and features new technology from TOSHIBA Medical Systems and Maquet Surgical Workplaces.

The Symposium features lectures and panel discussions from international pioneers in the field, as well as live case demonstrations broadcast from the Hybrid Suites at The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital. A unique skills workshop will be offered to a limited number of participants providing hands-on experience performing hybrid procedures. Cases will be broadcasted from Nationwide Children's, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Miami Children's Hospital.

Keynote speakers at this year's ISHAC will be Phillip Bonhoeffer MD, FSCAI, and John G. Byrne, MD. Dr. Bonhoeffer is a renowned interventional cardiologist from London, UK. In 2000 he conducted the world's first human trans-catheter heart valve implantation. Dr. Bonhoeffer is also the co-founder of the Transcatheter Valve Symposium and a winner of the ETHICA award, as well as the Grand Scientific Prize of Lefoulon-Delalande de L'Institute de France. Dr. Byrne is the William S. Stoney Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and a pioneer in hybrid therapies for adults with cardiovascular disease. He is also Professor of Medicine in Cardiology, as well as the Co-Director and Surgeon-in-Chief of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. With his colleagues in cardiology, Dr. Byrnes developed the hybrid operating room and helped to build the heart program, which now performs over 2,000 major cardiac surgical procedures per year, including adult and congenital programs.

Symposium directors are John P. Cheatham, MD, George H. Dunlap Endowed Chair in Interventional Cardiology, Director of Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Therapy and Co-Director of The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's, and Mark Galantowicz, MD, Murray D. Lincoln Endowed Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Co-Director of The Heart Center and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Nationwide Children's. Both are faculty members of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Drs. Cheatham and Galantowicz have organized this world-class event to encourage international discussion for potential Hybrid cardiac procedures that will result in improved outcomes while decreasing risks. The target audience consists of not only surgeons and interventional cardiologists, but also other members of heart centers who help care for children and adults with CHD.

The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital is a regional, national and international referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of CHD and acquired cardiomyopathy in both pediatric and adult patients. After opening the unique Hybrid Suites in 2004, a prototype five axis positioner and biplane flat panel detectors from Toshiba Medical Systems were installed in July 2005. Unparalleled patient access, cardiac imaging and telemedicine capabilities are now possible. Visitors from around the world visit the Hybrid Suites in order to construct similar facilities at their own institutions. In November 2007, Nationwide Children's opened the first dedicated Hybrid Congenital Cardiac Operating Suite in the U.S. The Operating Suite features more than 900 square feet of working space and is designed specifically around the cardiac surgeon and cardiac surgical patient, offering new advanced access and imaging in an operating room environment.

Source : ISHAC