The third annual University of Florida International Aortic Symposium, held Dec. 4-6 at the Signia by Hilton in Orlando, explored the latest advancements and techniques in aortic surgery, endovascular surgery and vascular surgery.
Participants had the opportunity to deepen their expertise across nine focused sessions that featured detailed presentations, insights from leading experts and extended panel discussions with active audience engagement. The program covered an array of topics, including aortic valves, the aortic root and ascending arch, aortic dissections and mesenteric artery disease.
Over 200 attendees traveled from across the globe, some as far away as Los Angeles and Ontario, Canada, to attend the event. This year’s symposium invited medical experts, clinicians, surgeons, researchers, students and trainees to explore the development of aortic care and the ever-growing technologies changing the field and impacting patient outcomes. The conference provided continuing medical education, or CME, credit for physicians, nurses, advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants.
“The impetus for this wonderful program is to really show the potential for our collaborative efforts in the field,” said Tomas Martin, M.D., director of the UF Health Aortic Disease Center. “Our goal is to educate professionals across all generations, seasoned experts and students alike, on the practices that truly make a difference.”
Day 1
Activities began early Thursday morning. Surgeons, physicians and health professionals alike mingled as the lobby filled with chatter and greetings. Martin welcomed symposium guests before introducing Eric Jeng, M.D., M.B.A., associate director of the Aortic Disease Center, and Martin Back, M.D., chief of the University of Florida Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, to commence the opening session and first day of the symposium, which centered on cardiovascular medicine.
Innovation and groundbreaking topics were discussed within minutes of the symposium starting. Bo Yang, M.D., Ph.D., professor of aortic surgery in the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, articulated his new technique, the Y-incision aortic annular enlargement, an innovative heart surgery method used during aortic valve replacement surgery. Yang’s approach, shown to some professionals for the first time, unveiled a safe and effective method that he believes improves long-term outcomes for patients.
“This is a phenomenal time alongside masters of this profession,” said Duke Cameron, M.D., world renowned expert and professor of cardiovascular surgery at John Hopkins Medicine. “I have taken more notes from just an individual session than I have all year.”
Surgeons and doctors at each session were invited to ask questions and even challenge ideas and methods with their experience to grow and strengthen the field, spurring innovation. Energetic discussions unified global ideas and concepts, leading to deeper understanding.
“It gives us an opportunity to learn about what different institutions are doing and learn about ways we might improve each other’s programs and ultimately help patients,” said Philip Hess, M.D., a professor of surgery at the UF College of Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Day 2
Topics for the second day of the symposium focused on vascular care. Case presentations and debate flowed from the momentum set the day prior. The sessions that followed centered on themes of aortic dissection, aorto-iliac aneurysms and associated occlusive disease.
Attendees spent the beginning of their day connecting with peers and industry partners. Experts used open microphones during the sessions to exchange ideas, compare experiences and troubleshoot shared challenges.
“The concept of creating this shared forum for cardiac and vascular surgeons to share their collective practice and skill sets will strengthen both patient care and our surgical practice,” said Back. “This is one of the few truly specialized aortic symposia in the nation and the world.”
Senior faculty set out on guided poster tours to close the day — allowing for engagement and discussions directly with presenters in a collegial setting, with the symposium planning committee awarding three abstracts as top of their field and to be presented on the final day. Hands-on simulations continued in the venue, with industry representatives showcasing the latest technology. A dinner capped off the full day of vascular-focused sessions.
“I don’t think there are enough pure aortic meetings anymore that bring together experts in one room for these kinds of discussions,” said Jean Panneton, M.D., program director and professor of surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Day 3
The final day’s sessions opened with two of the three top abstract presentations focused on the cardiovascular side of research. These presentations featured new data on the safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, compared to surgical aortic valve replacement, or SAVR, procedures, as well as midterm surgical outcomes from open two-stage mega aortic repair. The presentations concluded with a panel discussion.
The last session of the symposium kicked off, with the final top abstract presentation focused on vascular care. The presentation highlighted the use of thermal septotomy combined with thoracic endovascular aortic repair, or TEVAR, to merge visceral malperfusion in acute type A dissection prior to repair. A closing panel highlighting decision-making for abdominal aneurysms and complex endovascular repairs.
The symposium wrapped up just as it started — with Martin taking to the podium to not only thank everyone who attended but to also emphasize the importance of collaboration while reflecting on key concepts touched on during the event.
“This meeting is only made possible by the people who attend,” he said. “Colleagues interacting with each other and collaborating not just professionally, but personally, as we move the field forward.”