Alina Nicoara, MD, FASE

G. Burkhard Mackensen, MD, PhD, FASE

The past few years have been marked by tremendous advances in cardiovascular care with transformative application in the perioperative care of the cardiac surgery patient. Similarly, through incredible developments in imaging and post-processing technology, perioperative echocardiography has evolved into a sine-qua-non tool of surgical and intra-procedural decision making. The role of the cardiac anesthesiologist/echocardiographer has also changed over the past few years; we have not only learned new technical and interventional terminology but have also become an integral part of the multidisciplinary Heart Team, be it in the care of the patient on mechanical circulatory support or in the management of structural heart disease.

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Annual Meeting is a celebration of echo bringing together participants from more than 50 countries, all with the same burning passion for cardiovascular ultrasound. What better theme than “See the Sound, Hear the Science” could capture the promise of the experience of the 29 ^th Annual American Society of Echocardiography Scientific Sessions in Nashville, Tennessee?

The Perioperative Track has been designed by the ASE Council on Perioperative Echocardiography and brings together cardiac anesthesiologists, sonographers, cardiologists, and surgeons with the goal of sharing knowledge in cardiovascular care and perioperative/periprocedural echocardiography to enhance a professional dialogue in an amazingly positive and unprecedented manner.

This year, the Perioperative Track consists of six scientific sessions.

“Decision Making in Mechanical Circulatory Support.” This session will start with presentations of the latest evidence in managing two ongoing clinical conundrums in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device placement, specifically right ventricular dysfunction and tricuspid valve regurgitation. It continues with highlights on the versatility of echocardiography in initiating and managing temporary mechanical support as well as a summons to engage in further research for enhancing existing protocols for successful weaning from mechanical circulatory support.

“Tricuspid Regurgitation: The Old and The New.” No longer forgotten, tricuspid valve regurgitation will be the focus of this session. Designed in a case-based fashion, this session will present an overview of tricuspid valve imaging for procedural guidance, the latest in the role of imaging techniques in the assessment of functional tricuspid regurgitation, as well as various treatment options for functional tricuspid regurgitation, established surgical as well as emerging transcatheter procedures.

“Perioperative Cardiac Imaging: Welcome to the Future.” This session will highlight already existing and emerging cutting-edge technologies, which will bring the operating room and the hybrid cath lab into the future. Fusion imaging, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and 3D printing will be presented by some of the scientists at the forefront of development of these technologies. To paraphrase Carl Sagan, we have to know our past in order to understand the present and shape the future. With this in mind, Dr. Jonathan Mark, this year’s recipient of the award in Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Echocardiography and one of the founders of the field of cardiac anesthesiology and perioperative echocardiography, will present the milestones we have achieved so far but also some of the challenges and growing pains that await us in the future.

“The Best in CASE” offers case-based presentations from the new but already outstanding CASE (Cardiovascular Imaging Case Reports) journal and represents a venue for rising stars, cardiac anesthesiologists, and cardiologists, to showcase their work.

“The New Guidelines: Putting Them into Perioperative Practice.” This amazing session is the perfect opportunity to obtain in-depth understanding of the newest ASE guidelines directly from lead authors and echo luminaries. Featured topics will be the implementation of the newest guidelines in the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis, and diastolic function, in the context of the perioperative environment and contemporary evidence in the surgical management of secondary mitral regurgitation.

“Present and Future of Percutaneous Mitral Valve Therapy” will feature multidisciplinary experts all engaged in a heart valve team approach to structural heart disease. Current and upcoming percutaneous therapies to mitral valve disease as well as challenging cases will be presented.

We are proud to be part of an outstanding scientific program put together by the Scientific Program Committee under the leadership of Sunil Mankad, MD, FASE, and Merri L. Bremer, EdD, RN, RDCS, FASE. The program offers “unique opportunities which strike a chord with everyone.” Learning labs, chalk talks, boot camps, panels, and social events represent, indeed, unique opportunities to learn, enjoy, and celebrate echo together.

Last but not least: Don’t forget to engage with your colleagues on social media. Please use the hashtag #ASE2018.

Alina Nicoara, MD, FASE, is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Duke University Medical Center, Director of Perioperative Echocardiography, and Chair of the Perioperative Track Scientific Sessions, ASE 2018

G. Burkhard Mackensen, MD, PhD, FASE, is Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at UW Medicine and a UW Medicine Research & Education Endowed Professor in Anesthesiology and spends a significant portion of his clinical effort imaging in the interventional catheter laboratory. He is also the co- chair of the Perioperative Track Scientific Sessions, ASE 2018