This 2-day course is designed for Cardiology Diplomates and Cardiology Candidates who are in their 3^rd year of residency, and post-residency Cardiology Candidates who wish to increase their knowledge in assessing patient candidacy for advanced cardiac procedures. This course will focus on evaluating patients for advanced cardiac procedures in participant’s practice prior to referral to a tertiary center. Procedures that will be highlighted in lecture sessions and panel discussions are surgical mitral valve repair, transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair, left atrial decompression, pulmonary valve stenting, and other complex interventional procedures. For hands-on lab sessions, the focus will be on assessing candidacy for mitral valve interventions. The goal of this course is not for participants to become proficient at performing these procedures but increase their confidence and knowledge when assessing candidacy and discussing procedures with their clients. Lectures will additionally include some results, possible complications, and long-term management tips for these patients. Lectures and laboratory sessions will be guided by Cardiology Diplomates of the ACVIM.

By the end of the course, attendees will be able to:

1. Understand patient candidacy parameters for mitral valve interventions such as surgical mitral valve repair, transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER with VClamp device) and left atrial decompression.
2. Obtain specialized transthoracic echocardiographic views of the mitral valve for TEER and perform quantitative evaluation of mitral valve severity to aid in candidacy assessment.
3. Assess and discuss options for pulmonary valve stenosis interventions and other complex cardiac interventions.

RACE Application Status:
This program will be submitted (but is not yet approved) for 15.75 hours of live, seminar/lecture and lab medical continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE-approval.