Four years ago, a group of cardiovascular nurses and technicians from St. Luke’s Medical Center Milwaukee came together to discuss the value of continuing education, the difficulty and expense of obtaining CEUs, and the benefits and limitations of national meetings. This group of professionals began to create a list detailing what they believed would constitute the ideal meeting. The group decided the ideal meeting would be interactive and hands-on. The hands-on sessions would be proctored by experts that would explain the limitations of technology while identifying the pearls learned from years of experience. The ultimate goal of these sessions would be to provide individuals with information that would help them better care for patients.

It was also decided that the ideal meeting would cover the most recent research findings. However, these research findings would be discussed in such a way that participants could easily relate the results to everyday practice. The lectures were to be interactive, encouraging questions and permitting dialogue. In addition, the often overlooked topic of dealing with stressors in the workplace would be addressed.

In October of 2001, the vision became a reality. St. Luke’s Medical Center hosted its first “Understanding Cardiovascular Disease Conference.” It included unprecedented lecture topics and even an autopsy on a cadaver less than 24 hours deceased. This experience allowed participants to visualize vascular distribution, noting vessel size and location in order to better understand why guides, wires, balloons, and stents don’t always reach their destination sites. Participants were able to get a first-hand look at the actual size and structure of peripheral anatomy, including illiacs, SFAs, popliteals, renals, and carotids.
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Noninvasive testing became an additional focus to increase understanding of why patients are electively admitted to the cath lab. One such example included a live demonstration of a baseline resting echocardiogram on a consented participant. The physician expert comprehensively explained all structures, emphasizing wall motion. After the resting study was completed, the participant was given dobutamine and again rescanned so attendees could see and understand the value of a stress echo.

In 2002, the conference added a new element: a live animal lab which permitted participants to perform diagnostic catheterizations as well as interventional procedures. The participants were allowed to assume the role of the cardiologist and actually place catheters, guides, wires, balloons, and stents. Those that participated in this experience gained a better understanding of the intricacies and limitations of interventional equipment. The live lab was such an overwhelming success it was again performed in the 2003 conference, and is slated for this year’s conference as well.

A new component that will be added to the 2004 conference will walk each participant through an aortic valve replacement on a pig heart. A cardiothoracic surgeon will demonstrate valve replacement technique, discussing rationale, benefits, and limitations, of valve selection and bypass surgery on and off pump.

Additional features of this interactive course include intravascular ultrasound interpretation, an RCIS prep course, cardiopulmonary failure discussion and diagnosis, healthcare cost analysis, echo interpretation, and a more in-depth look at the current diet trends, weight loss plans and their effects on cardiovascular health.

St. Luke’s Medical Center will be hosting its 4th Annual “Understanding Cardiovascular Disease” symposium October 21–23, 2004, at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. More information can be obtained by visiting the official conference website at www.aurora.org/slmccathlab.