As in previous years, SIF 2023 is designed to meet the ever-increasing needs of cardiovascular specialists in the diagnosis and management of complex cardiovascular disease. This live, comprehensive, state-of-the-art four-day symposium will provide an in-depth review of the most relevant advances in the treatment of heart and vascular disease. The organizing committee for SIF 2023 is committed to creating a thorough, all-encompassing scientific curriculum to meet the needs of cardiovascular specialists experiencing this nationally recognized educational event. 

Now in its 19th year, SIF 2023 is blest with a most talented, world-class faculty capable of providing an in-depth understanding of pathophysiologic disease mechanisms, advanced diagnostic imaging, a Heart Team approach to problem solving the complex disease management and the most updated, innovative therapeutic options for cardiovascular disease management. This course will include a series of high-level didactic lectures, case presentations from world experts and live case transmissions from leading centers throughout the country. This synthesis of a concentrated educational experience and expert commentary from a distinguished faculty provides a superb learning environment for physicians, nurses and allied health professionals.

As in the past, SIF 2023 will include a variety of specialty symposia along with Industry workshops. Given the rapid evolution in diagnostic and therapeutic options for the treatment of coronary artery disease, the SIF Faculty will review the most pertinent diagnostic studies and management issues pertaining to complex coronary intervention. Advances in invasive coronary imaging and physiologic assessment will be highlighted with emphasis on FFR, IVUS and OCT guided coronary intervention. 

There is continued evolution in pharmacologic management of heart disease. Comprehensive reviews of anti-platelet therapy duration, DAPT de-escalation, usage of Non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC’s) and alternatives to pharmacologic therapy will be highlighted. The treatment of complex coronary subsets including unprotected left main disease, chronic total occlusions (CTOs) will be featured with an expert panel review of novel DES platforms in both the didactic and live case sessions. Amongst those sessions highlighted at this year’s Forum will be the use of Impella and other advanced mechanical methodologies for circulatory support; the nation’s experts in mechanical circulatory support will provide a day-long session in complex percutaneous coronary intervention. 

Emphasis on plaque modification technologies including high speed rotational atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, orbital atherectomy and scoring / cutting balloon applications will also take center stage during the complex coronary interventions sessions.

There is a growing need for the interventional cardiologist to understand the pharmacologic and catheter-based management options for atrial fibrillation. As this has been the traditional domain of rhythm management specialists, this year’s course will integrate the collective talents of leading electrophysiology experts and interventional cardiologists. The burgeoning interest in mechanical left atrial appendage therapies, provides the opportunity to highlight Watchman, Amplatzer Amulet and other mechanical left atrial appendage devices currently in development through didactic lectures and live case presentations. 

There may be no field of research and innovation more exciting for cardiovascular specialists and more relevant to the changing US demographic than the diagnosis and management of patients with valvular heart disease. Understanding newer therapeutic modalities and technological breakthroughs in catheter-based management of valvular heart disease will be emphasized throughout the course. The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) symposium will highlight best practices for patients with severe aortic stenosis, valve replacement for low-risk patients, treatment options for patients with aortic insufficiency and a review of new TAVR devices in development. There will be added focus on the clinical indications and recent outcome data of cerebral embolic protection (CEP). The economics of TAVR and other structural therapies will also be covered. A “look to the future” of aortic valve therapies will provide insight into expected practice evolutions over the next decade.

There has been a tremendous interest in the treatment of those stricken with mitral and tricuspid valvular heart disease. Developing an expert consensus on the best management of those with degenerative mitral valve disease is essential. Practitioners are challenged by the decision as to which mechanical therapy for functional mitral regurgitation might provide the most durable results for their patients. These topics will receive in depth analysis by our panel of world experts in a day-long symposium devoted to the topic. The emerging transcatheter “replacement” therapies for mitral and tricuspid disease will be comprehensively reviewed. 

In summary, SIF 2023 has been designed to provide physicians, nurses, and allied health participants the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art review of pathophysiologic disease mechanism, diagnostic imaging and expert management strategies for the treatment of those afflicted with advanced cardiovascular disorders. 

To that end, each day will begin and end with a series of complex case vignettes in which faculty and attendees “co-participate” in problem solving in an open-mic format. The goal of this four-day CME Symposium is simple: Provide attendees the requisite skills to advance bedside patient management, apply innovative therapies in the most practical manner, thus quantifiably improving the outcomes of our patients suffering from cardiovascular disease.