Skills Lab

Houston Shock Symposium Second Annual image 017The Skills Lab at the Houston Shock Symposium offers hands-on training on all aspects of mechanical circulatory support device therapies.

For the 2023 Houston Shock Symposium, we are proud to offer the following focus areas in the Skills Lab:

Station 1: Impella

  • Setup of Impella/RPella pump (connection/single fluid line flushing, initial console management and range support, troubleshooting, etc.)
  • Software (real-time pump metrics, LVP and CPO on AIC, review of SmartAssist sensor capabilities, Impella Connect app and management)
  • Abiomed futures (14FR CP sheath, IJ RP device, ECP, BTR) – by appointment only and in a separate location

Station 2: Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps

  • IABP connection (conventional and fiberoptic) and setup, troubleshooting, etc.
  • IABP console features and adjustments
  • ECMO cannulation and connection
  • CardioHelp console operation, adjustments and troubleshooting

Station 3: TandemLife and TandemLung

  • TandemLife VA ECLS priming tray setup
  • TandemLung VV ECLS connection (+/- wet-priming)
  • LifeSparc pump operation and troubleshooting
  • Hands-on Protek Duo and TandemHeart LS (LA-FA) cannulae
  • Transseptal simulator

Station 4: Large Bore Access

  • Operation and handling of a linear US probe
  • Identification of femoral vessels and optimal puncture site

Station 5: ICE + Transseptal Puncture

  • Operation and image acquisition using ICE
  • Identification of septum and optimal puncture site
  • Safe transseptal puncture with NRG Baylis needle

Station 6: Large Bore Access Closure (Manta and Proglide)

  • Identification of optimal vessel size/depth/puncture site
  • Assembly and deployment of Manta device
  • Assembly and deployment of Prostar device
  • Flushing and deployment of Proglide device

Station 7: ECMO Cannulation and Initiation

  • Operation and handling of a linear US probe
  • Identification of femoral vessels and optimal puncture site
  • Serial dilation and cannulation of femoral vessels for access
  • ECMO initiation
  • Troubleshooting access issues

Station 8: Bovine Heart Coring for LVAD Placement

  • Identification of major anatomical structures
  • Coring of LV apex with current coring device for optimal LVAD placement
  • Suturing of sewing ring

 

 

The Skills Lab Team

 

Interventional

  • Sandeep Nathan, MD, Associate Professor, UChicago Medicine
  • Sachin Kumar, MD, Associate Professor, Interventional Cardiology, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Ismael Salas de Armas, MD, Associate Professor, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
  • Mehmet Akay, MD, Associate Professor, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
  • Juan Marcano, MD, Assistant Professor, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
  • Jayeshkumar Patel, MD, Assistant Professor, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
  • Manish Patel, MD, Associate Professor, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Electrophysiology

  • Saumya Sharma, MD, Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Perfusion

  • Lisa Janowiak, LifeFlight/Cardiogenic Shock Center Coordinator, Cardiovascular Perfusion Program, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
  • Kayla Kutilek, MPS, Perfusionist, Cardiovascular Perfusion Program, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston