With the growing number of neonates with congenital heart disease, an upcoming CHOC conference will provide critical information for medical providers who are diagnosing and treating this complex patient population.
The NeoHeart: Cardiovascular Management of the Neonate conference, held on March 22-25, 2017 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, will cover pre- and post-operative management of complex heart disease, latest in the management of pulmonary hypertension, neonatal myocardium and hemodynamics, among others topics.
“The intent of the conference is to advocate for a team approach between the NICU, cardiac ICU, cardiology, and cardiac surgery for state-of-the-art cardiovascular management of the neonate, with the focus entirely on the patient,” says Dr. Amir Ashrafi, cardiac neonatologist at CHOC, and conference co-chair.
The anticipated event is expected to draw over 500 attendees from more than 11 countries. This includes top experts in the field, such as keynote speaker, Dr. William I. Norwood, Jr., founder of the Norwood procedure – a three-stage heart surgery that creates a new functional systemic circuit in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. A special dinner with Dr. Norwood on his legendary career is slated for March 22.
The dynamic conference will emphasize group discussion, says Dr. Ashrafi. He invites physicians, physician’s assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, fellows, residents, and other allied health professionals who specialize in neonatology, pediatric cardiology, pediatric intensive care, and cardiothoracic surgery to attend.
After the conference participants will be able to:
- Follow suggested pre and post-operative management guidelines for the neonate with complex heart disease.
- Determine treatment options in the premature in the premature neonate with congenital heart disease.
- Use suggested state-of-the-art management of pulmonary hypertension.
- Consider neonatal mycocardium and hemodynamics of shock.
- Follow updated protocols for feeding the neonate with CHD.
- Review current controversies of the ductus arteriosus.
- Employ suggested strategies for optimizing long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Given the outcomes and interest surrounding the conference in the last few years, Dr. Ashrafi and his colleagues launched the first international neonatal heart society. The group plans to work closely with other professional organizations such as The Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society.
To register for NeoHeart: Cardiovascular Management of the Neonate, visit CHOC’s website.
CME credit is available.
