Highlights of the Upcoming CCAS
2013 Educational Program
By Jumbo Williams, MBChB
Program Chair
Welcome!
You are invited to attend the 7th CCAS Annual Meeting that will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. Come and enjoy a great time with good friends.
We would like to extend a special invitation to pediatric anesthesia Fellows and anesthesia Residents who may register for the conference at a discounted rate. Many CCAS attendees will also register for the SPA/AAP Pediatric Anesthesiology meeting (March 14-17, 2013) that will be held at the same venue.
Fun things to do
Resort guests may take a short drive up Highway 159 to Nevada's first National Conservation Area - Red Rock Canyon. This beautiful region offers scenic drives, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking and opportunities to savor the spectacular geologic features and specialized Mojave Desert flora and fauna. If you are allergic to the great outdoors, some other recreational options apparently exist in Las Vegas.
The real deal
We wager that the most dazzling show in town will be the CCAS educational program. To spice things up, two new sessions will be introduced while the successful overall format of previous meetings is retained. Where relevant, the national data from the CCAS/STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database will be presented. (Many thanks to David Vener, MD!)
CCAS Immediate Past President, Jim DiNardo, MD, opens the day with a scientific update of the physiological effects of cardiopulmonary bypass. This sets the stage for Colleen Gruenwald, PhD, CCP, who will discuss current cardiopulmonary bypass management strategies and new technologies of potential future value.
The next session offers practical advice about the anesthetic management of children with abnormal cardiac rhythms. Aman Mahajan, MD, PhD, explains how anesthetic agents influence cardiac electrophysiology studies and pediatric cardiologist/ electrophysiologist James C. Perry, MD, reviews the perioperative management of arrhythmias. The last session of the morning is a review of recent literature. Annette Davis, MB, ChB, FRCA, Peter D. Laussen, MBBS and Kenneth M. Brady will discuss three papers that have contributed to the advancement of care of patients with congenital heart disease.
After lunch with exhibitors, CCAS leadership will provide an overview of the Society’s activities and will field members’ questions. Dean Andropoulos, MD, MHCM, will explain the formation of the Society and describe some of its achievements. Jim DiNardo will report on current initiatives and Helen Holtby, MBBS, FRCP(C), will outline future endeavors.
New research will be highlighted in the following session with the authors of the three best posters presenting their work. Special thanks to Mark D. Twite, MD, BCh, and the CCAS poster selection panel for their hard work. Next, the audience will be invited to participate in a two-part session focused on patient safety. First, David Vener will provide adverse events information from the CCAS/STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database. Second, Calvin Kuan, MD and Steven R. Tosone, MD, lead an interactive presentation on teamwork in cardiac care.
After a break for coffee, the cardiac lesion “Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV)” will be examined in detail. The echocardiographic features will be shown by Komal Kamra, MBBS, and the surgical management reviewed by cardiac surgeon Victor O. Morell, MD. James P. Spaeth, MD, then presents a DORV case and considers the perioperative management concerns.
The final hour of the program is allocated for viewing of three groups of selected posters, with discussions moderated by Robert H. Friesen, MD, Jeremy M. Geiduschek, MD, and Robert F. Seal, MD, FRCPC. Refreshments will be available. This is an opportunity to learn about recent cardiac research, relax and chat with friends.
Appreciation
Designing the Educational Program was a very pleasant collaborative effort involving Wanda C. Miller-Hance, MD, Nina A. Guzzetta, MD, James DiNardo, Helen Holtby and Kim Battle; with excellent input from many CCAS members. Many thanks to all who contributed! It is our hope that the Program will entice you to the sunshine, collegiality and excitement of CCAS 2013. See you all in Vegas!
