The Heart of the Problem: Mastering Complications in Cardiac Surgery
Join Us for an Unparalleled Learning Experience in Cardiac Surgery!
Complications are an inevitable part of cardiac surgery, but mastering their prevention and management is what separates the good from the great.The Heart of the Problem: Mastering Complications in Cardiac Surgery is a one-of-a-kind course designed to equip surgeons with the skills, strategies, and confidence to tackle even the most challenging intraoperative and perioperative crises.
Taking place on June 5–6, 2025, at the MECC Maastricht, this immersive program will bring together renowned experts from around the world to share real-world experience, case-based learning, and step-by-step strategies for managing complications across all aspects of cardiac surgery. From valve and aortic catastrophes to redo operations, coronary challenges, ECMO pitfalls, and minimally invasive surgery, this course offers interactive discussions tailored for surgeons seeking to elevate their expertise.
With engaging plenary sessions, breakout discussions, and exclusive “Ask the Experts” panels, attendees will gain not just knowledge, but a deeper understanding of leadership in crisis, OR communication, and the psychological resilience needed to navigate high-stakes surgical decision-making.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from world-class faculty, refine your approach to complications, and connect with fellow surgeons dedicated to excellence.
Mark your calendar and secure your spot today!
June 5-6, 2025 at the MEC in Maastricht, the Netherlands
Organized by: Heart Team Academy, Heart+Vascular Center / Maastricht UMC+
Information about the MECC Congress Venue, Maastricht, travel options and hotels – Click here
Program Director: Dr Peyman Sardari Nia, MD, PhD
Program Co-Directors: Dr Roberto Ribeiro MD PhD, Dr Samuel Heuts MD PhD
DAY 1 | THURSDAY JUNE 5 | 08:30-16:50
Plenary 1 (Room 1)
08:30-08:40 | Welcome and Introduction to the Course
08:40-09:00 | An Expert is Born out of Complications
09:00-09:30 | The Psychological Impact of Complications
- The Surgeon’s Perspective
- The Patient’s Perspective
09:30-09:50 | Leading a Team During a Crisis: The Importance of OR Communication
10:00-10:30: Coffee Break
Breakout Sessions
Session 1: Back to the Basics (Room 1)
10:30-11:00 | Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) Disasters: Air Lock, Massive Air Embolism, and Accidental Decannulation
- 10:30-10:40 | The Perfusionist’s Perspective
- 10:40-10:50 | The Patient’s Perspective
11:00-11:20 | Arrest on Induction
11:20-11:40 | Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection
11:40-12:00 | Myocardial Protection: Pearls and Pitfalls
Session 2: Nightmares in the Cath Lab (Room 2)
10:30-10:50 | Cardiogenic Shock and Cardiac Arrest in the Cath Lab: ECLS and ECPR Essentials
10:50-11:10 | Large Bore Access in a Hurry: Safe Techniques for Crashing Patients
11:10-11:30 | Complications of Impella
11:30-11:50 | Coronary Complications in the Cath Lab: Role of Surgery to Manage Iatrogenic dissections, Hematoma and Perforations
12:00-13:00: Lunch
13:30-14:00 | Ask the experts (Room 1)
Plenary 2 (Room 1)
14:00-14:30 | My Worst Case in the OR: Learning from the Experts 1
14:30-15:00 | My Worst Case in the OR: Learning from the Experts 2
15:00-15:30 | My Worst Case in the OR: Learning from the Experts 3
15:30-16:00: Coffee Break
Breakout Sessions
Session 3: Beware and Be Ready! (Room 1)
15:30-15:50 | How to Deal with Complications During Redo Sternotomies
15:50-16:10 | Failure to Wean from Bypass: A Troubleshooting Guide
16:10-16:30 | Protamine Reactions
16:30-16:50 | Post-CABG myocardial ischemia
Session 4: Pitfalls During Redo Surgery (Room 2)
15:30-15:50 | Redo Operation with Patent Grafts
15:50-16:10 | Redo Aortic Valve and Root Surgery
16:10-16:30 | Redo Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Surgery
16:30-16:50 | Redo Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
DAY 2 | FRIDAY JUNE 6 | 08:30-16:50
Plenary 3 (Single Room)
08:30-08:50 | How to Lead an Effective Morbidity and Mortality Meeting: Learning Without Blame
08:50-09:10 | Finding Your Heart Team: Developing Support Systems for Success and Resilience
09:10-09:30 | How Do I Pass on My Experience
09:30-09:50 | How to Avoid Burnout
10:00-10:30: Coffee Break
Breakout Sessions
Session 5: Valves I (Room 1)
10:30-10:50 | Ischemia Post-Valvular Surgery: A Systematic Approach
10:50-11:10 | Severe Mitral Annular Calcification (MAC): Challenges and Complications
11:10-11:30 | Complications during valve implantation
11:30-11:50 | Preventing Complications During Tricuspid Valve Surgery (How I do it)
11:50-12:10 | There is residual MR: What do I do now?
Session 6: Coronary (Room 2)
10:30-10:50 | Dealing with IABP Malfunction and Failure
10:50-11:10 | Troubleshooting Poor Graft Flows
11:10-11:30 | Complications using BIMA grafting
11:30-11:50 | Complications during OPCAB
12:00-13:00: Lunch
13:30-14:00 | Ask the experts (Room 1)
Breakout Sessions
Session 7: Valves II (Room 1)
13:30-13:50 | Pitfalls in Extensive Aortomitral Endocarditis
13:50-14:20 | There Is a Paravalvular Leak: What Do I Do Now?
- How to interpret it?
- How to manage?
14:20-14:50 | Complications of TAVR: Annular Disruption, Valve Embolization, and More
Session 8: Aorta (Room 2)
13:30-13:50 | Management of the Unclampable Aorta
13:50-14:10 | Complications during hypothermic circulatory arrest
14:10-14:30 | Challenges During Type A Dissections
14:30-14:50 | Pitfalls of Cerebral Perfusion During Aortic Surgery and How to Manage Them
15:00-15:30: Coffee Break
Breakout Sessions
Session 9: Complications During Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (Room 1)
15:30-15:50 | Percutaneous and Cut-down Cannulation Risks
15:50-16:10 | Managing Complications from Transthoracic Cross-Clamping and Intra-Aortic Balloon Occlusion
16:10-16:30 | Myocardial Protection During MICS: Pearls and Pitfalls
16:30-16:50 | When to convert to sternotomy?
Session 10: Of Course There is More! (Room 2)
15:30-15:50 | Postoperative Complication Management: Staying Ahead of Failure
15:50-16:10 | How to Manage the Crashing Postoperative Patient in the ICU
16:10-16:30 | V-V and V-A ECMO: Handling Hypoxia and Hyperoxia
16:30-16:50 | How to Safely Remove Large-Bore Devices: ECMO/Impella Tips
Registration
Before 1 April: 550 Euro
After 1 April: 650 Euro
REGISTRATION