4th Annual MCSPERFCON Mechanical Circulatory Support & Perfusion Symposium

Houston, TX US
September 25, 2026 to September 26, 2026

September 25, 2026 - September 26, 2026
TMC3 Helix Park
7255 Helix Park Ave, Houston, TX 77030

In-person Conference with virtual option 

Needs Statement

Despite substantial advances in mechanical circulatory support (MCS), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and perfusion science, meaningful gaps remain between evidence-based best practices and their consistent application in perioperative and critical care settings.

Current Clinical Challenges

  • Device decision-making: Timely selection, escalation, troubleshooting, and weaning of MCS modalities, including IABP, Impella, VA/VV/VAV ECMO, ventricular assist devices, and total artificial hearts
  • Advanced perfusion strategies: Variability in experience with goal-directed perfusion, cerebral and organ protection during cardiopulmonary bypass, and perfusion management during complex aortic, congenital, transplant, and TAH procedures
  • Evolving standards of care: Gaps in clinician readiness for donor organ preservation, donation after circulatory death (DCD), and normothermic regional perfusion (NRP)

Educational Priorities

Clinicians need targeted education that reinforces physiologic principles and supports real-time clinical decision-making across the perioperative MCS and perfusion continuum, including:

  • Shock recognition and phenotyping
  • Optimization of oxygen delivery and organ protection through goal-directed perfusion
  • Selection and management of appropriate MCS and ECMO configurations
  • Integration of evolving organ preservation and normothermic regional perfusion techniques

Hands-On and Team-Based Training

  • HANDS ON:  ECMO, ECHO & Mechanical Circulatory Support Workshop
  • Simulation-based training to build technical skill and confidence in high-risk scenarios such as cannulation, circuit failure, recirculation, ventricular distention, differential hypoxia, transport, and device-related complications
  • Interdisciplinary communication and team-based workflows to improve coordination, reduce practice variability, and enhance outcomes for patients requiring advanced mechanical circulatory support

 

Target Audience

This activity is designed for

  • physicians,
  • fellows,
  • residents,
  • perfusionists,
  • advanced practice providers,
  • nurses,
  • medical students, and
  • any clinician managing critically ill patients on mechanical circulatory support or advanced perfusion support. 

 

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the conference, participants should be able to:

  • Recognize, phenotype, and manage cardiogenic and respiratory shock, including determination of when to escalate to mechanical circulatory support.
  • Select and apply the most appropriate device (i.e., Intra‑Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), Impella, Veno‑Arterial/Veno‑Venous/Veno‑Arterio‑Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA/VV/VAV ECMO), Ventricular assist devices (VADs), or total artificial heart)  based on patient needs.
  • Implement goal-directed perfusion to protect the brain, kidneys, and heart during complex cardiac surgery.
  • Execute donation after circulatory death (DCD) and transplant workflows using the latest organ preservation and normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) techniques.
  • Demonstrate effective troubleshooting, cannulation, weaning, circuit management, and team communication skills. 

Educational Methods

Lecture, Small group breakout session, Panel discussion, Case study, Skill-based training workshop

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

 

 

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 14.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 14.00 ANCC
  • 14.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
04/15/2026
Course expires: 
12/31/2026
Event starts: 
09/25/2026 - 7:45am CDT
Event ends: 
09/26/2026 - 5:40pm CDT
Cost:
$1.00
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
5

Draft agenda — subject to change. Confirmed speakers shown below; some presenter assignments are pending finalization.

Day 1 · Friday, Sept 25 Day 2 · Saturday, Sept 26 Day 2 · Main Hall Day 2 · Echo Track Day 2 · MCS Hands-On Printable version
Lectures & panelsHands-on & simulationBreaks & meals

Day 1 — Friday, September 25, 2026

TMC3 Helix Park, Houston TX · 7:50 AM – 5:10 PM · Single track, all attendees

7:45 – 7:50 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks (not designated for CME credit)
7:50 – 8:20 AM
Journey of the Total Artificial Heart (not designated for CME credit)
Billy Cohn
8:20 – 8:50 AM
Keynote (not designated for CME credit)
 

Session 1 — Understanding Shock Physiology: A Common Language for Intensivists & Perfusionists

8:50 – 9:00 AM
Announcements & Continuing Education Introduction 
9:00 – 9:10 AM
What Is Shock and Perfusion?
Miriam Freundt
9:10 – 9:20 AM
Cardiogenic Shock Phenotyping
Jacob Jentzer
9:20 – 9:30 AM
Understanding Venous Return: Rational Use of Fluids
Mourad Senussi
9:30 – 9:40 AM
Establishing a Shock Team
9:40 – 10:00 AM
Panel Discussion Panel
Subhasis Chatterjee & Jennifer Bruno (Moderator)

Session 2 — From Fluids to Pressors: Resuscitation Before MCS

10:00 – 10:10 AM
Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring
Mourad Senussi
10:10 – 10:20 AM
Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring
Ali Omranian
10:20 – 10:30 AM
Fundamentals of Inotropes
Jacob Jentzer
10:30 – 10:40 AM
Rational Use of Vasopressors in Vasodilatory Shock
Subhasis Chatterjee
10:40 – 11:00 AM
Panel Discussion Panel
Kartik Valluri & Toni Duculan (Moderator)
11:00 – 11:15 AM
Break — Vendor Interactions + Refreshments
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Lunch

Session 3 — IABP in the Modern Shock Algorithm: Bridge, Bailout, or Both?

12:00 – 12:10 PM
IABP Revisited: Old, Relevant, and Often Misunderstood — IABP Physiology & Waveforms
Sam Sheth
12:10 – 12:20 PM
IABP at the Bedside: Troubleshooting for Nurses and Perfusionists
Eric Guevara / Circ Support
12:20 – 12:30 PM
Axillary Balloon Pump
Barry Trachtenberg
12:30 – 12:40 PM
What’s the Best Way to Wean the IABP?
Mohammed Merchant
12:40 – 1:00 PM
Panel Discussion Panel
Nikolaos Diakos, Analisia Stewart

Session 4 — The Impella

1:00 – 1:10 PM
Pressure Volume Loops and LV Unloading
Ajith Nair
1:10 – 1:20 PM
Impella Insertion and Management Pearls
Joggy George
1:20 – 1:30 PM
VA ECMO + Impella
Subhasis Chatterjee
1:30 – 1:40 PM
Protective Cardiac Surgery with Impella
Ismael Salas de Armas
1:40 – 2:00 PM
Panel Discussion Panel
Prasad Manian, JoAnn Lewis

Session 5 — MCS for RV Failure

2:00 – 2:10 PM
Right-Sided MCS: Centrifugal Flow Pumps Manish Patel
2:10 – 2:20 PM
Right-Sided MCS: Axial Flow Pumps (Impella RP)
Salman Bandeali
2:20 – 2:30 PM
Letting Go of the Right Side: When and How to Wean the RVAD
Adeel Ahsan
2:30 – 2:40 PM
One Pump Isn’t Enough: When to Escalate to BiVAD
Joseph Rogers
2:40 – 3:00 PM
Panel Discussion: Real-World Resuscitation Decisions Before MCS — Applying Physiology Under Pressure Panel
John Park, Mourad Senussi
3:00 – 3:15 PM
Break — Vendor Interactions + Refreshments

Session 6 — VAD Physiology for Non-VAD Providers

3:15 – 3:25 PM
Concepts of VAD Physiology: What Everyone Must Know
Lola Xie
3:25 – 3:35 PM
Optimizing LVAD Hemodynamics in the ICU
Cesar Castillo
3:35 – 3:45 PM
VAD Complications & Troubleshooting: Recognition and Management
Harish Devineni
3:45 – 3:55 PM
How to Reduce Stroke Over the Lifetime of an LVAD Patient
Adeel Ahsan
3:55 – 4:05 PM
Panel Discussion: Optimization of LVAD Panel

Session 7 — Biventricular Failure

4:05 – 4:15 PM
Percutaneous Biventricular Support vs ECMO for BiV Failure
Marwan Jumean
4:15 – 4:25 PM
Surgical Approach to Biventricular Failure
Juan Marcano
4:25 – 4:35 PM
Pneumatic vs Continuous Flow Total Artificial Heart: Surgeon Perspective
 
4:35 – 4:45 PM
Pneumatic vs Continuous Flow Total Artificial Heart: Intensivist Perspective
 
4:45 – 5:05 PM
Panel: BiVAD vs TAH — Decision-Making in End-Stage Biventricular Failure Panel
Subhasis Chatterjee & Thomas Powell
5:05 – 5:10 PM
Closing Remarks — End of Day 1

Day 2 — Saturday, September 26, 2026

TMC3 Helix Park, Houston TX · 7:30 AM – 5:40 PM · Registration 7:30–7:50 AM, then three concurrent tracks. Choose one track, or move between them at the marked breaks. Hands-on workshops require in-person attendance.

Track A — Main Hall

Helix Hall · ECMO & advanced perfusion · 8:00 AM – 4:50 PM

7:30 – 7:50 AM
Registration
Session 8 — ECMO
8:00 – 8:10 AM
Who, When, and Why: VV ECMO Patient Selection in 2026
Analisia Stewart
8:10 – 8:20 AM
Bridge to Transplant, Recovery & No-Man’s Land
Nirmal Sharma
8:20 – 8:30 AM
Cannulation Strategies
Ramiro Fernandez
8:30 – 8:40 AM
Weaning VV ECMO: Extubate or Decannulate?
Kartik Valluri
8:40 – 9:00 AM
Panel Discussion Panel
Adeola Omojola / Brittany Duong
9:00 – 9:10 AM
Break — group assignments for VV ECMO hands-on
Session 9 — ECMO Hands-On Workshop
9:10 – 10:10 AM
ECMO Circuit Review: Tip to Tip Hands-on
Faculty: Nikolaos Diakos, Sam Sheth, Matthew Nardi
Continues
Cannulations Hands-on
Faculty: Brent Gudenkauf, Michael Harms, Bassel Akbik, Louis Anzalone
Continues
Monitoring Your ECMO Circuit Hands-on
Faculty: Cesar Castillo, Megan Palmer, Mohammed Merchant
10:10 – 10:20 AM
Break — Vendor Interactions + Refreshments
Session 10 — ECMO
10:20 – 10:30 AM
VA ECMO for Shock and Arrest: Selecting the Right Patients, Fast
Mourad Senussi
10:30 – 10:50 AM
 
10:50 – 11:00 AM
Cannulation Strategies, Flows, Afterload & the LV: Managing the Hemodynamics of VA ECMO
Sam Sheth
11:00 – 11:10 AM
Anticoagulation and Complications in VA ECMO: What Keeps You Awake at Night
Arthur Bracey
11:10 – 11:20 AM
Weaning VA ECMO
Cesar Castillo
11:20 – 11:40 AM
Panel Discussion Panel
Toni Duculan / Ed Yang
11:40 AM – 12:10 PM
Lunch
12:10 – 12:20 PM
Break — group assignments for ECMO hands-on
Session 11 — ECMO Hands-On Workshop
Workshop Facilitators: Deborah Adams, Bassel Akbik, Louis Anzalone, Cesar Castillo, Miguel Curo, Nikolaos Diakos, Joshua Dollahite, Miriam Freundt, Sofia Garza, Brent Gudenkauf, Michael Harms, Adam Harshman, Kathy Kibler, Ross Leth, Davis Lewis, Quinlan McCollow, Mohammed Merchant, Matthew Nardi, Mourad Senussi, Sam Sheth, Kartik Valluri, Phuong Vo, Ernest Yu
12:20 – 1:20 PM
Loss of Flow & Pulsatility Hands-on
 
Continues
Cannulation Hands-on
 
Continues
North-South & East-West Hands-on
 
1:20 – 2:00 PM
 
Session 12 — Advanced Perfusion Talks
2:00 – 2:10 PM
From High Volume to ELSO Center of Excellence
Subhasis Chatterjee
2:10 – 2:20 PM
ECMO with Limited Resources — International Perspective
Stepan Maruniak
2:20 – 2:30 PM
Debate: DCD Transplant & NRP — Proposition (Pro) Panel
Murphy Rayle / Scott Noesges
2:30 – 2:40 PM
Debate: DCD Transplant & NRP — Opposition (Con) Panel
Adam Harshman
2:40 – 2:50 PM
Establishing an ECMO Program in the Community
Vivekkumar B. Patel
2:50 – 3:00 PM
Break — Vendor Interactions + Refreshments
Session 13 — December 2026 Class Presentations
3:00 – 3:10 PM
Blood Conservation and CPB
Jackson Burkett
3:10 – 3:20 PM
Hemoconcentrator vs Spontaneous Diuresis in Patients with Preserved Renal Function
Auden Chang Houseworth
3:20 – 3:30 PM
 
3:30 – 3:40 PM
Hyperoxia During CPB: How Much Is Too Much?
Joshua Grover
3:40 – 3:50 PM
Portable ECMO for Pre-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Field to OR
Natalie Johnson
3:50 – 4:00 PM
East-West Syndrome
Beth Johnston
4:00 – 4:10 PM
Hemoconcentration Effect on Complement Levels Pre- and Post-Cross-Clamp
Ashley Sumpter
4:10 – 4:20 PM
Trans-Cervical Robotic Aortic Valve Replacement
Dru Wallis
4:20 – 4:30 PM
DO2i and TUC Effects on AKI
Morgan Weiss
4:30 – 4:50 PM
Questions / Overtime

Track B — Echo Track

Herman Hall Auditorium; rotations in Levy & Herman Conference Rooms · 8:00 AM – 5:40 PM

Block 1 — Foundations of Critical Care Echo
8:00 – 8:20 AM
Critical Care Echocardiography as an Extension of the Physical Exam: Heart, Lungs, and Abdomen
Nick Villalobos
8:20 – 9:10 AM
Skill Stations · Rotation 1 — Lung Ultrasound · FAST Exam · Apical, Subcostal & Parasternal Windows Hands-on
9:10 – 10:00 AM
Skill Stations · Rotation 2 — same stations, groups A ↔ B Hands-on
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Break
Block 2 — Critical Care Echo in Undifferentiated Shock
10:15 – 10:35 AM
Critical Care Echocardiography in Undifferentiated Shock
Dorian Alexander
10:35 – 11:25 AM
Skill Stations · Rotation 1 — LV Function · RV Function · Tamponade Assessment Hands-on
11:25 AM – 12:15 PM
Skill Stations · Rotation 2 — same stations, groups A ↔ B Hands-on
12:15 – 1:15 PM
Lunch + Vendor Walk
Block 3 — Hemodynamic Assessment: Fluid Responsiveness vs Venous Congestion
1:15 – 1:35 PM
Hemodynamic Assessment with Critical Care Echo: Fluid Responsiveness vs Venous Congestion
Mourad Senussi
1:35 – 2:25 PM
Skill Stations · Rotation 1 — Fluid Responsiveness · Cardiac Output · VExUS Protocol Hands-on
2:25 – 3:15 PM
Skill Stations · Rotation 2 — same stations, groups A ↔ B Hands-on
3:15 – 3:30 PM
Break
Block 4 — MCS Management & Rescue TEE
3:30 – 3:40 PM
Lecture A: The Role of Echocardiography in MCS Management
Kha Dinh
3:40 – 3:50 PM
Lecture B: When Every Beat Counts — Rescue TEE in the Critically Ill Patient
Kayla Knuf
3:50 – 4:40 PM
Skill Stations · Rotation 1 — Rescue TEE Scanning · Impella Position Under Echo Guidance Hands-on
4:40 – 5:30 PM
Skill Stations · Rotation 2 — same stations, groups A ↔ B Hands-on
5:30 – 5:40 PM
Final Comments and Wrap-Up

Track C — MCS Hands-On Workshops

Braeswood Room · rotating device stations · 12:30 – 5:00 PM · in-person only

Workshop Facilitators: Austin Niu, Brent Gudenkauf, Ali Omranian, Matthew Nardi, Bassel Akbik, Michael Harms, Mohammed Merchant, Kartik Valluri, Ed Yang 
Basic IABP
12:30 - 1:10 PM
Station 1 — Indications, Insertion, Vascular Access Strategy & Sizing Hands-on 
Station 2 — Positioning & Imaging Confirmation Hands-on
Station 3 — Timing, Waveforms & Hemodynamics Hands-on
Station 4 — Troubleshooting & Complications Hands-on
1:10 – 1:20 PM
Break
Impella 
1:20 – 1:30 PM
Station 1 — Indications & Contraindications, Device Anatomy, Setup, Console Mastery Hands-on
Station 2 — Insertion, Positioning & Imaging Hands-on
Station 3 — Physiology & Hemodynamics Hands-on
Station 4 — Waveforms & Alarms Hands-on
Station 5 — Anticoagulation, Purge System & Hemolysis Hands-on
2:10 – 2:20 PM
Break
RVAD 
2:20 – 2:30 PM
Station 1 — RVAD Setup, Cannulation & Configurations Hands-on
Station 2 — RV Physiology & Hemodynamics Hands-on
Station 3 — Troubleshooting & Weaning Hands-on
LVAD 
2:50 – 3:00 PM
Station 1 — Device Components & Surgical Anatomy Hands-on
Station 2 — Hemodynamics, Speed Optimization & Echo Integration Hands-on
Station 3 — Alarms Hands-on
3:20 – 3:30 PM
Break
Total Artificial Heart
3:30 – 4:00 PM
Station 1 — Device Components & Surgical Anatomy Hands-on
Mega MCS Interactive Session 
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Poly Device Management Hands-on
TMC3 Helix Park
7255 Helix Park Ave
Houston, TX 77030
United States

Travel

Hotel Room Block

Hotel: Blossom Hotel Houston, Curio Collection by Hilton

Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=HOUTNQQ&corporateCode=3318310

To book via phone: +1 (844) 442-8746 (be sure to advise that you are booking the Baylor College of Medicine corporate rate)

To book via Hilton Honors App or Online: Use Corporate Account Number (located under special rates): 3318310

 

2026 Seasonal rates*

Sep 1 - Nov 30, 2026: $179.00

Dec 1 - Dec 31, 2026: $149.00

*Rates subject availability and may not be available over blackout or high demand dates

 

MCS PerfCon 2026 Faculty

Faculty, directors, committee members, presenters, and facilitators for the MCS PerfCon program.

Activity Director(s)

Sri Kartik A. Valluri, MB.BS, M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
Medical Director CVICU (8CB)
Director BCM/THI - MCS Symposia
Chairman BSLMC Transfusion Committee
Division of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Critical Care Medicine
The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine / Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center

James M. Anton, MD

Professor and Chairman
Baylor College of Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology
Chief, Division of Cardiovascular and Critical Care Medicine
Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center/The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine

Director Emeritus

José L. Díaz-Gómez, MD, MS, MBA, FASE, FCCM

Chair, Integrated Hospital Care Institute
(Departments of Anesthesia, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Pulmonary Medicine)
Executive Director, ECMO Program
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Activity Co-Director(s)

Edward C. Yang, MD

Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
Program Director, Anesthesia Critical Care Fellowship Program
Division of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Texas Heart Institute / Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center

Cesar Castillo, MD

Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
Interim Medical Director CVICU
Division of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and Cardiovascular Critical Care Medicine
The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine / Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center

Subhasis Chatterjee, MD, FACS, FACC, FCCP

Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Trauma/Acute Care Surgery & Cardiothoracic Surgery
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
Director Thoracic Surgical ICU & ECMO Program
Texas Heart Institute at CHI Baylor St. Lukes

Mourad H. Senussi, MD, MS

Director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Texas Heart Institute

Keri Sprung, MBA

Assistant Professor
School of Health Professions
Office of Continuing Professional Development
The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine Administration

Nick Villalobos, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Co-Director: Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
UT Houston McGovern School of Medicine
Memorial Hermann TMC

Planning Committee

Pedro D. Salinas, MD, FASE, FCCM, FCCP

Aurora Critical Care Service
Director, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
POCUS Director, ASLMC ICUs, Aurora IM Residency and Critical Care Fellowship
Associate Professor of Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine & University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Adjunct)

Deborah L. Adams, MA, LP, CCP

Assistant Professor
Program Director & Clinical Coordinator
The Texas Heart Institute Cardiovascular Perfusion Program at Baylor College of Medicine

Kathy Kibler, LP, CCP

Instructor
The Texas Heart Institute Cardiovascular Perfusion Program at Baylor College of Medicine

Course Faculty

Student / Class Presenters and Facilitators

Note: Where a specific institutional profile was not readily available, the hyperlink points to the official course faculty tab or a relevant professional directory page.

Physician -  AMA PRA Category 1 Credits

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

 Nurse - ANCC NCPD

Texas Children’s Hospital is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

This activity awards up to 14.00 ANCC contact hours. 

 

Perfusionist - ABCP CAT I CEU

ABCP CAT I CEUs.

Estimated CAT I CEUs from American Board Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP), 17.1 CAT I CEUs.

Available Credit

  • 14.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 14.00 ANCC
  • 14.00 Attendance

Price

Cost:
$1.00
Please login or register to take this course.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

Requests for registration refunds must be in writing and received by the Division of Continuing Professional Development (DCPD) at least 10 business days before the activity begins. The date the request is received by the DCPD will be considered the cancellation date. Requests received after the refund deadline will not be processed. Cancellations are subject to a $50 administrative fee deducted from the registration fee paid to cover guarantees and other expenses. Requests should be emailed to the DCPD [email protected].

The DCPD reserves the right to cancel activities, not less than 10 business days before the scheduled date, if extenuating circumstances make it necessary. Registrants will be notified at the contact email indicated on the registration form. If an activity is cancelled, DCPD’s liability is limited to the registration fee paid. Note: If payment is made by check, a social security number is required to process the refund.