Course Information

Multiple approaches to evaluation of cardiovascular CT studies exist with varying accuracy depending on the type of workstation, type of scanner, referral population, patient selection, and training mentor preferences. Few courses offer an algorithmic, comprehensive approach to interpretation and offer coronary cath/ IVUS, echo, and MRI correlations or review extracardiac thoracic interpretation or the application of CTA to peripheral angiography. Innovation Health Services has designed a comprehensive course to provide a unified educational program based on the standards co-developed by the ACC and SCCT.

Target Audience

• Cardiovascular Disease Specialists
• Radiologists
• Fellows-in-training
• Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeons

Objectives

After the activity, participants will be able to…

• Operate a 3-dimensional workstation to extract pertinent information from a thoracic volume of interest (VOI), then analyze and interpret the cardiovascular findings systematically, using the VRT-MIP-MPR vessel-walking method, to construct a complete and accurate Cardiovascular CT Report

• Judge the quality of Cardiovascular CT studies and its relationship to cardiac CT technical factors including the advantages and disadvantages of various types of cardiovascular CT scanners: 32 slice, 64 slice, 256 slice, dual source CT, and PET-CT hybrid imaging

• Formulate an acquisition protocol for CT contrast administration, recognizing the kinetics of triphasic injection and caveats in special patient populations such as those with valvular disease, a history of adverse reactions to contrast media, intra-cardiac shunts, and high BMI

• Cite CT radiation dose reduction strategies, radiation risk measures, and published radiation dose values in comparison to other cardiac modalities, and manipulate CT scan collimation, temporal resolution, and the three fields-of-view for cardiac patients to minimize risks to the patient

• Characterize plaque density and vulnerability for individual lesions, difference between abnormal findings and image artifact, and caveats of stenosis estimation including the effect of window and level view settings

• Evaluate regional contractility, calculated estimation of ejection fraction, myocardial resting perfusion, native and mechanical valves, and pericardial disease

• Evaluate typical and complex tertiary referral studies including acute aortic syndromes, pulmonary embolism, simple congenital heart disease, post-aortic surgery studies, pre and post electrophysiologic intervention, and cardiac masses, etc. (see table of typical and tertiary cases presented)

• Interpret extracardiac thoracic structures such as pleural effusions, lung nodules, lymphadenopathy, infiltrates and cite the Fleischner Society guidelines for Management of Small Pulmonary Nodules Detected on CT Scans

• Construct an appropriate workflow and staff training program, utilizing the patient SPARR (Selection, Preparation, Acquisition, Reconstruction, and Reporting) system including the appropriate integration into clinical care

Tuition

• $3,900 for Practicing Physicians
• $1,900 for Fellows-in-training with letter of verification from the Program Director.

Tuition includes digital course syllabus on thumb drive, interpretation manual, and CME certification.

Registration

Space availability is limited and registrations are accepted on a first payment-received basis. The deadline for Registration is 45 days prior to the start of each course. Complete the online application here or email education@ihsmd.org with any questions. We will contact you for confirmation of seat availability. You can also call the Course Coordinators at IHS (888)784-4763 ext 4. Once you have been confirmed for a course date, then we will send you a registration form and invoice which includes methods of payment. Please do not submit any payments until you have received registration confirmation for your desired date from IHS.

Cancellation for any reason over 6 weeks prior to the course date will result in a complete refund of tuition. Between 4 -6 weeks prior to the course date, 50% of the tuition will be refunded. Between 2-4 weeks prior to the course date, 25% of the tuition will be refunded. No refunds will be made for cancellations within 2 weeks of the course start date.

Typical & Referral Cases

• Acute Aortic Syndromes: Ascending and Descending aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Coarctation of the aorta: repaired & unrepaired
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Pre-surgical evaluation: pre-minimally invasive valve surgery, pre Tetralogy of Fallot pulmonic valve replacement
• Post-surgical evaluations: Anastomic pseudoaneurysm post dissection repair
• Left ventricular assist device: Heart Mate II
• Transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA), s/p Mustard; Congenitally Corrected TGA
• Pre-atrial fibrillation left atrium and pulmonary vein angiography
• Post atrial fibrillation pulmonary vein stenosis
• Subaortic membrane
• Prosthetic valve
• LA myxoma
• RA pseudotumor
• Left atrial appendage thrombus
• Sinus venosus ASD with PAPVR
• Ductus diverticulum
• Diverticulum of Kommerell
• Cardiac Sarcoidosis
• Takayasu’s Aortitis
• TAVR Complications

Accommodations

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel accommodations are available in downtown Norfolk where one can enjoy a broad spectrum of shopping and nightlife activities. Early reservations are encouraged. For ease IHS has negotiated discounted rates with the Marriott Norfolk Residence Inn an easy a fifteen minute walk from the hospital campus.

Address: 227 W Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 842-6216
Marriott Website

Special Accommodations

The Americans with Special Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that all individuals regardless of disability have equal access. If special arrangements are required to attend this course due to a disability, contact a Course Coordinator.

Course Director

Mohit Bhasin, MD

Mohit Bhasin, MD attended medical school at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta as a Robert Woodruff Scholar in Medicine. He then completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship and served as Chief Cardiovascular Fellow while pursuing two years of specialized training in the field of Cardiovascular MRI and CT imaging. A former George Starbuck Fellow at Boston University in Creative Writing and winner of the William Carlos Williams Prize from the Center for Human Values in Medicine, he has become a recognized leader in heart photography. Dr. Bhasin directs a level III one year apprenticeship for cardiologists in cardiovascular MRI and CT, teaches this monthly course to visiting cardiologists and radiologists, and serves as the Medical Director of Cardiovascular CT and MRI Imaging at Sentara Heart Hospital and as co-director of Pediatric Cardiovascular MRI imaging at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. He directs the Clinic for the Aorta (www.mohitbhasin.md) as part of his clinical cardiovascular practice, and specializes in adult congenital heart disease, multimodality tertiary referral cases such as cardiac masses, as well as general cardiology problems. He is Board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. He was voted one of the Top Cardiologists in Hampton Roads by his peers.

Sentara Heart Hospital

Heart and Heart Surgery services at Sentara Heart Hospital rank among the top 50 cardiac programs in the nation. The cardiac program at Sentara Heart Hospital ranks 33rd out of the top 50 hospitals listed. Additionally, Sentara Heart Hospital boasts a Mortality Ratio that is superior to eight of the top ten programs in the nation.

Sentara Heart Hospital opened in 2006 as the region’s only dedicated heart hospital, is unlike any facility within hundreds of miles. It unites a long-standing team of cardiac subspecialists within an advanced setting built from the ground up for superior cardiac care. Patients receive comprehensive cardiac services — from diagnostics to open heart surgery and transplants — at one location.

Located on the Campus of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Sentara Heart Hospital features 112 private inpatient rooms and 45 pre/post-op procedure rooms for patients undergoing interventional cardiac procedures. Sentara Heart Hospital has five dedicated cardiac operating rooms, six cardiac catheterization labs, and the region’s first dedicated Cardiovascular CT and MRI.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Eastern Virginia Medical School, Cardiovascular Associates, and Bayview Physicians Group.  Eastern Virginia Medical School is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. CREDIT DESIGNATIONEastern Virginia Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 58.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ^TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Contact Information

Please Email education@ihsmd.org  with your desired dates or any questions and we will contact you for confirmation of seat availability. You can also call the Course Coordinators at IHS (888)784-4763 ext 4 . You may also email Dr. Bhasin directly with specific training questions at mohitbhasin@ihsmd.org

Disclosures

Faculty and staff who are in a position to control the content of this activity are required to disclose all real or apparent conflicts of interest. Faculty and staff disclosures can be reviewed by contacting the Course Coordinator.