Dear colleagues!

 

The increasing importance of interventional techniques is stimulating the development less invasive surgical procedures as well as incorporation of transcatheter techniques into the surgical portfolio.

FOCUS Valve 2017 therefore will be dedicated to the newest developments and techniques in minimally invasive surgical and interventional treatment of heart valve disease.

We are convinced that cardiac surgeons should not restrict themselves to the classical surgical techniques – be it by minimally invasive or by the traditional full sternotomy approach – but should adopt also the recent interventional techniques. To meet these challenges we will offer workshops on interventional valve therapies.

Above that the main focus of the meeting will be on minimally invasive surgical techniques for the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves.

Advanced minimally invasive techniques will be transmitted live from our OR using 3D imaging technology thoughout. Surgeons of international renown from various European centers with highest expertise in minimally invasive surgery as well as from our own department will perform live surgeries during two days. In addition presentations of recent developments as well as techniques in minimally invasive surgery and interactive discussions will be held.

Delegates who register for the wetlab will have the possibility to train endoscopic techniques using direct vision, 2D imaging and also 3D videoendosopic equipment during the WETLAB sessions.

TEE for surgeons is aiming to provide basic and advanced information on intraoperative TEE with theoretical presentations and live demonstrations in the OR.

FOCUS Valve is part of a four module educational program in minimally invasive valve surgery offered by the Department of Cardiac Surgery of Medical University Innsbruck comprising presentations and live surgeries (Module I), wetlab training (Module II), team visits to our OR by separate appointment (Module III) and local proctoring on request (Modul IV).

The venue of FOCUS Valve 2017 will be the Main Auditorium in the Surgery Building of Innsbruck University Hospital.

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Innsbruck!

 

Ludwig Müller & Michael Grimm

(Course Directors)