Foundation for Advanced Cardiovascular Education and Training (FACET) Heart Fusion Symposium 2025

Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging, Catheterization & Surgical Heart Team Education

Overview

The FACET Heart Fusion Symposium 2025 is a unique multidisciplinary cardiovascular education program that integrates cardiac echocardiography, invasive cardiology, cardiovascular perfusion, and cardiac surgery into a single patient-centered learning experience.

Through real-world case studies, participants follow a patient’s journey from the Emergency Department through diagnostic imaging, cardiac catheterization, interventional procedures, and ultimately surgical revascularization or repair. The symposium emphasizes collaboration among cardiovascular specialists and highlights how modern heart teams work together to optimize patient outcomes.

Held on April 25, 2025 at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital, the program provides practical insights into contemporary cardiovascular care across multiple disciplines.

Course Features

• Case-Based Cardiovascular Education
• Multidisciplinary Heart Team Approach
• Echocardiography Fundamentals & Applications
• Coronary Catheterization Education
• Cardiovascular Perfusion Updates
• CABG Case Reviews
• Interventional Cardiology Discussions
• Surgical Revascularization Planning
• Real-World Clinical Decision-Making
• Emergency-to-Operating Room Patient Journey

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify the fundamentals of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
• Apply echocardiographic findings to cardiovascular diagnosis and management.
• Understand coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization principles.
• Evaluate interventional treatment options for coronary artery disease.
• Discuss contemporary CABG patient management strategies.
• Recognize the role of cardiovascular perfusion during cardiac surgery.
• Integrate multidisciplinary decision-making into cardiovascular care.
• Improve communication and coordination across cardiovascular teams.

Core Topics Covered

Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)

The symposium reviews essential principles of noninvasive cardiac imaging.

Topics Include

• Basic echocardiographic views
• Cardiac anatomy assessment
• Ventricular function evaluation
• Valvular assessment
• Emergency cardiac imaging
• Clinical decision support

Participants learn how TTE contributes to early diagnosis and treatment planning.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

Dedicated sessions focus on advanced imaging applications.

Covered Areas

• TEE fundamentals
• Structural heart assessment
• Intraoperative imaging
• Valvular disease evaluation
• Procedural guidance
• Surgical planning

The program highlights the growing role of TEE in both interventional and surgical cardiology.

Coronary Catheterization

A major educational component focuses on invasive coronary evaluation.

Topics Include

• Coronary anatomy
• Diagnostic angiography
• Hemodynamic assessment
• Coronary lesion evaluation
• Cath lab workflow
• Clinical interpretation

Faculty review how catheterization findings guide treatment decisions.

Interventional Cardiology

The symposium examines modern catheter-based therapies.

Topics Include

• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
• Coronary stenting
• Lesion assessment
• Revascularization strategies
• Procedural planning
• Outcome evaluation

Participants gain insight into contemporary interventional practice.

Coronary Artery Disease Management

The patient-centered case format explores management of CAD across multiple care settings.

Covered Topics

• Acute coronary syndromes
• Stable coronary disease
• Diagnostic pathways
• Risk stratification
• Revascularization planning
• Long-term management

The focus is on integrating diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

The course reviews surgical revascularization strategies.

Topics Include

• CABG indications
• Patient selection
• Surgical planning
• Postoperative management
• Complication prevention
• Heart team decision-making

Case discussions demonstrate how surgical decisions are made in real-world practice.

Cardiovascular Perfusion

A unique feature of the symposium is the inclusion of perfusion science.

Areas Covered

• Cardiopulmonary bypass
• Perfusion principles
• Intraoperative support
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Perfusion safety
• Team coordination

Participants gain a better understanding of the role of perfusionists during cardiac surgery.

Heart Team Collaboration

One of the primary educational themes is multidisciplinary care.

Topics Include

• Cardiology-surgery collaboration
• Imaging integration
• Cath lab to OR transitions
• Shared decision-making
• Complex case management
• Patient-centered care

The symposium demonstrates how coordinated cardiovascular teams improve outcomes.

Emergency Cardiovascular Care

The patient journey begins with emergency evaluation.

Covered Areas

• Initial assessment
• Echocardiographic triage
• Acute ischemic syndromes
• Diagnostic pathways
• Rapid intervention planning
• Clinical workflow optimization

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Cardiologists
• Interventional Cardiologists
• Cardiothoracic Surgeons
• Cardiology Fellows
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Critical Care Physicians
• Cardiovascular Perfusionists
• Cath Lab Technologists
• Cardiovascular Nurses
• Cardiovascular Sonographers
• Advanced Practice Providers

Why This Course Stands Out

✔ Unique multidisciplinary educational model

✔ Follows the complete cardiovascular patient journey

✔ Integrates imaging, intervention, and surgery

✔ Strong emphasis on heart team collaboration

✔ Practical real-world case discussions

✔ Includes perfusion and surgical perspectives

✔ Reviews both diagnostic and therapeutic pathways

✔ Ideal for cardiovascular team training

✔ Focuses on improving patient outcomes

✔ Bridges multiple cardiovascular specialties

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