Early fetal detection, obstructive left heart lesions, variants of Tetralogy of Fallot, and Heterotaxy syndrome are just some of the topics featured at the upcoming CHOC conference, Pacific Coast Fetal Cardiology 2017: An Interactive and Case-Based Educational Symposium, held on April 28-29, 2017 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa.
“Our conference will focus on the use of cases to convey important points on fetal heart disease detection and management,” says conference co-chair Dr. Wyman Lai, medical director, echochardiography, and co-medical director, CHOC Heart Institute.
Open to obstetricians, radiologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists, pediatric cardiologists and sonographers, the anticipated event will cover how to detect serious heart defects during pregnancy, and how to discern when to refer to a fetal cardiology specialist. Keynote speakers, Dr. Wayne Tworetzky from Boston Children’s and Dr. Lynn Simpson from Columbia University Medical Center, will be among the nationally recognized experts attending.
The conference is sponsored in part by the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and several ultrasound companies. Additionally, two parent support groups will be present as exhibitors. The groups have a mission to improve early fetal cardiac detection, which allows for 1) time for appropriate family counseling, 2) better planning of care for delivery location and method, and 3) better coordination of care between the multiple subspecialties involved.
“Studies have shown improved outcomes for cardiac patients who are diagnosed before birth compared to those diagnosed after birth. This highlights the importance of improving the fetal detection rate for congenital heart disease in our communities,” Dr. Lai adds.
After the conference participants will be able to:
- Use suggested best practices for fetal cardiology screening
- Apply the current International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) and American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines to improve screening efficacy.
- Rule out or assess for selected complex anomalies during fetal cardiology screening.
- Diagnose obstructive left heart lesions and counsel families on treatment options and prognoses.
- Use key featured reviewed to diagnose Heterotaxy syndrome.
- Counsel patients on the benefits and limitations of early fetal echocardiography.
- Diagnose Tetralogy of Fallot, its variants and refer for treatment.
Participants are invited to submit an interesting case, by March 14 at https://fetalcardiology.eventgrid.com/, in one or more of the following clinical areas:
- Obstructive left heart lesions
- Heterotaxy syndrome
- Early fetal echochardiography
- Variants of Tetralogy of Fallot
To register for Pacific Coast Fetal Cardiology 2017: An Interactive and Case-Based Educational Symposium, visit CHOC’s website.
