Year 1 

Module 1 | 21 - 24 June 2023

How to Approach Heart Failure
Epidemiology of heart failure: incidence and prevalence, risk factors. How to assess HF: clinical signs and symptoms, use of biomarkers, ECG and exercise tests. Comorbidities. Theoretical and practical application of different imaging modalities: Echo, CMR, CT and nuclear techniques. Pathophysiology of HF: interpretation of haemodynamic parameters, pump dysfunction. Management of HF in congenital heart disease.

Module 2 | 11 - 14 October 2023

Different Forms of Heart Failure
HF encompasses HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF according to the classification of the ESC guidelines. Focus on HFpEF, diagnostic procedures and treatments. Comorbidities linked to HFpEF, including dyspnoea, sleep disturbances, depression, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, iron deficiency, atrial fibrillation, gender aspects.
Different forms of cardiomyopathies, diagnostic techniques and treatments, cardiac amyloidosis. Practical imaging sessions with patient cases in Echo, CMR, CT and Nuclear/PET.

Module 3 | 24 -27 January 2024

Treatment and Follow-up of Heart Failure
This module focuses on HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and its pathophysiology. Role of the renin angiotensin system, the sympathetic nervous system and related treatment targets: ACE-inhibitors, AT2-antagonists, ARNIs, betablockers, If-channel blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, diuretics and digitalis. Pathophysiology of renal injury and the cardiorenal syndrome.
Arrhythmias in HF, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias, guidelines and indications for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). How to read and interpret randomised controlled trials, device trials and registry-based trails in HF. The patient journey in HF.

Year 2

Module 4 | 10 - 13 April 2024

Catheter Ablation and Devices in Heart Failure
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardias with live case transmissions or live in-a-box. Tips and tricks for catheter ablation with selected case reports and expert review lectures.
Practical training for ICD and CRT implantation in a simulation lab, virtual reality cases from the EP lab, role of wearables and implantable monitors in HF and practical echo optimisation.
How to build a successful career, how to become a leader and key rules for scientific publishing.

Module 5 | 19 - ­22 June 2024

Multidisciplinary Procedures in Valvular and Coronary Heart Disease and Heart Failure
Emphasis is placed on valve disease in the context of HF: anatomy and imaging of the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve. Decision making and patient selection for valve interventions. Role of the heart team. Assessment and
management of aortic stenosis and functional mitral regurgitation. Live in-a-box demonstrations and ultrasound-guided valvular intervention.Revascularisation strategies in ischemic cardiomyopathy, management of cardiogenic shock including indications for ECMO.Cardio-oncology and cardiotoxic drugs in cancer treatment. Regenerative medicine in HF and stem cell therapy, myocarditis and takotsubo. How to build up a HF clinic.

Module 6 | 09 - 12 October 2024

Acute and Advanced Heart Failure
Definition and epidemiology of acute HF, triggers and mechanisms. Classifica- tion of acute HF. Prehospital and early management strategies, clinical evaluation and investigation, diagnostic tools and risk markers. Therapies of acute HF including oxygen, ventilatory support, inotropes and vasopressors. Definition of advanced HF including dyspnoea, fluid retention, cardiac dysfunction, impairment of functional capacity. Short-term and long-term mechanical circulatory support. Heart transplantation: indications and timing, immunosuppressive drugs, complications after transplantation. Palliative care.

 

Module structure

• 6 course units (modules) of 3.5 days, each with structured learning of >25 hours (160 hours in total)
• Self-study of 140 hours
• Each module is followed by a multiple-choice examination
• Completion of 5 passed modules will lead to a Certificate in Heart Failure Management