STS is offering three concurrent half-day programs on Thursday, January 23, 2025, for attendees who want to round out their educational experience at STS 2025. These symposia are also available to attend as a standalone event (though STS 2025 attendees receive a discount when adding a pre-conference event to their meeting registration). STS members save even more! (Not a member yet? Apply today.)

Symposium registration includes lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. as well as a Thursday evening reception following the conclusion of the half-day course.

Symposium Registration

The STS APP Conference—Redesigning the Future Together

January 23, 2025
1 - 5:15 p.m. PT (lunch at 11:30 a.m.; reception follows course conclusion)

STS is proud to launch the first program for advanced practice providers (APPs), titled “Redesigning the Future Together,” at the 2025 STS Annual Meeting.  APPs play a pivotal role in providing care throughout the continuum for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. This half-day program aims to build a stronger community by featuring presentations and expert panel discussions focused on strengthening clinical management and showcasing strategies for APPs to achieve professional success, emerge as leaders, and cultivate APP roles in the CTS specialty.

Course Directors

Menaka Ponnambalam, RN(EC), MN, NP-Adult
Pinki Patel, DNP, MSN, CRNP, APC-HQS
Christine Welch, PA-C
Angela Lee, RN, NP 

Agenda

Professional Development – Strategies for Achieving Success

Moderator: Pinki Patel, DNP, MSN, CRNP, APC-HQS 

Time Event
1 - 1:10 p.m. Introduction – Redesigning the Future Together
1:10 - 1:50 p.m. Panel Discussion: Building a Strong Foundation 
  • Sharing Success Stories 
  • Challenges – Understand What You Know and What You Don’t Know 
  • Building Confidence 
  • Emotional Intelligence – Listen to Your Heart 
  • Cultivating Allyship Between APPs & Surgeons

 

Clinical Session 1: Current Practices for Cardiothoracic Intraoperative Care

Moderators: Julian Guitron, MD

Time Event
1:50 - 2 p.m. Congenital Topic: The Fontain Patient
2 - 2:10 p.m. My Patient Needs CABG: What Conduit for Which Patient? 
2:10 - 2:16 p.m. EVH: Tips and Tricks
2:16 - 2:26 p.m. The Role of an APP in Robotic Thoracic Surgery
2:26 - 2:36 p.m. Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Surgery: What the APP Should Know About Maze and LAA Closure
2:36 - 2:46 p.m. Abstract Submission
2:46 - 3 p.m. Discussion/Questions
3 - 3:20 p.m. BREAK

 

Clinical Session 2: Carrying the Torch – Panoramic Care

Moderators: Menaka Ponnambalam, RN(EC), MN, NP-Adult, and Marc Ruel, MD

Time Event
3:20 - 3:30 p.m. Making the Case: Cardiac Imaging in Declaring Coronary Disease
3:30 - 3:40 p.m. APP Role in Preoperative Optimization of the CTS
3:40 - 3:50 p.m. APP Role in Reducing LOS and Readmission in CTS Patient
3:50 - 4 p.m. Abstract Submission
4 - 4:10 p.m. APP Continuity of Care in Aortic Surgery
4:10 - 4:20 p.m. Discussion

 

Redesigning the Future of APP Practice Together

Moderators: Angela Lee, RN, NP, and Wilson Szeto, MD

Time Event
4:20 - 4:28 p.m. Abstract Submission
4:28 - 4:35 p.m. Showcase APP Managed Program – Lung Cancer Screening
4:35 - 4:45 p.m. Pearls for Clinical Documentation and Reimbursement
4:45 - 5:15 p.m. Panel Discussion: Full Scope APP Practice 
  • APP Managed Post-Op Care/Reducing Length of Stay/Meeting Metrics/Star Rating
  • APP & Surgeon Collaborative Practice in CTS
  • APP Cardiac Surgery Fellowship Program
  • Questions/Comments/Discussion
5:15 p.m. Reception

 

Lung Cancer: Clinical Trials Meet Clinical Practice

January 23, 2025
1 - 5:15 p.m. PT (lunch at 11;30 a.m.; reception follows course conclusion)

Diagnosis and treatment paradigms for patients with early stage and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer have changed dramatically. It is a challenge to keep up with the pace of new technology, clinical trials, and drug approvals. In this session, we will provide an overview of recent diagnostic advances and clinical trials.  More importantly, through “classroom,” “workroom,” and interactive tumor board sessions, we will describe best practices for incorporating this information into the real-world practice of busy cardiothoracic surgeons.

Course Directors

Mara Antonoff, MD
Jessica Donington, MD, MS
Kiran H. Lagisetty, MD
John D. Mitchell, MD
Brendon M. Stiles, MD

Agenda

Part I: The Lung Cancer Classroom

Moderators:  Brendon M. Stiles, MD, and John D. Mitchell, MD

Time Event
1:00 p.m. Welcome and Introduction
1:05 p.m. Screening and Incidental Nodule Management
1:20 p.m. The Surgeon's Role in Bronchoscopic Biopsy, Staging, and Ablation
1:35 p.m.

Updates on Sublobar Resection—What's the Evidence?
1:50 p.m. Techniques for Intraoperative Nodule Identification and for Identification of Anatomic Landmarks
2:05 p.m. Advances in Immunotherapy
2:20 p.m. Advances in Targeted Therapy
2:35 p.m. What Did We Learn at the Major Meetings in 2024? 
2:50 p.m. Panel Discussion: Application to the Surgical Clinic
3:10 p.m. Break

 

 

 

Part II: The Lung Cancer Workroom

Moderators: Mara Antonoff, MD, and Jessica Donington, MD, MS

Case-Based Multidisciplinary Team Debates

Time Event
3:30 p.m. Introduction
3:35 p.m.

Debate 1
Stage I: Wedge vs SBRT
3:50 p.m.

Debate 2
Stage II: Upfront Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy vs. Neoadjuvant Therapy and Surgery for cll NSCLC
4:05 p.m. Debate 3
Stage III: Definitive Chemoradiation and Immunotherapy Versus Neoadjuvant Therapy and Surgery for Stage III
4:20 p.m. Debate 4 
Stage IV: LCT vs. No LCT for Stage IV Oligometastatic on TKI

 

Part III: Interactive Tumor Board

Moderators: Mara Antonoff, MD, and Kiran H. Lagisetty, MD

Time Event
4:35 p.m. Introduction
4:40 p.m. Case 1
4:50 p.m. Case 2
5:00 p.m. Case 3
5:10 p.m. Closing Remarks
5:15 p.m. Reception

 

Aortic Universe: From Birth to Adulthood

January 23, 2025
1 - 5:15 p.m. PT (lunch at 11:30 a.m.; reception follows course conclusion)

This comprehensive course delves into aortic management from birth to adulthood, providing an in-depth overview encompassing the full spectrum of congenital and acquired aortic diseases. Designed for medical professionals, including cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiothoracic residents and fellows, advanced practice providers, nurses and medical students, this course equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose, manage, and treat aortic conditions across different stages of life. The course is focused on management strategies, with a heavy focus on detailed surgical videos and case-based presentations. Join us in this journey through the life cycle of the newly designated aortic “organ”, from birth to adulthood, and enhance your ability to provide exceptional care to patients with aortic disease.

Course Directors

Ibrahim Sultan, MD 
George J. Arnaoutakis, MD
Karen Kim, MD, MS

Agenda

Times and Events
Time Event
1 p.m. Opening Remarks and Welcome
1:05 - 2 p.m.

Session I: Inherited Aortic Disease: From Diagnosis to Lifelong Management

  • Technical Considerations in the Complex ACHD Aortopathy Patient  
  • Thoracic Aortic Dissection in Pregnancy 
  • Essential Insights on Genetic Testing and Familial Screening for Surgeons  
  • How I Do It: Ross Procedure: The ACHD perspective 
  • Navigating the Updated Aortic Guidelines: What Do Surgeons Need to Know? 
  • Inherited Aortic Disease Panel Discussion
2 - 2:50 p.m.

Session II: Aortic Root (Getting to the Root of the Problem)

  • Root Management/Valve Repair Techniques: What Every Surgeon Should Know 
  • Endo Bentall: Is It Ready for Primetime? 
  • The Florida Sleeve Procedure: Not Just in Florida! 
  • Aortic Valve and Root Surgery after TAVR: An Epidemic? 
  • Coronary Malperfusion in Type A Dissection: More Than an MI 
  • Aortic Root Panel Discussion
2:50 - 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 - 4:05 p.m.

Session III: Ascending and Arch

  • Debate: Cerebral Protection Strategies in Aortic Arch Surgery: Retrograde vs. Antegrade 
  • Endovascular Approaches to the Ascending Aorta 
  • Arch and DTA Management in Type A Dissection: Frozen Elephant Trunk 
  • Branch First Total Aortic Arch Replacement 
  • Ascending and Arch Panel Discussion
4:05 - 5 p.m.

Session IV: Descending/TAAA

  • Open TAAA Repair: What Does the Future Look Like? 
  • TEVAR 101 for Aneurysm and TEVAR 201 for Dissection 
  • Endovascular Management of TAA disease 
  • New Frontiers in Aortic Clinical Outcomes Research: From Single Center
  • Registries to the STS National Database 
  • Descending/TAAA Panel Discussion 
4:50 p.m. Closing Discussion and Remarks
5 p.m. Adjourn (reception to follow)

 

Pricing

STS Member Rates Add-On to STS 2025 Pre-Conference Symposium Only
Surgeons, Physician Members $250 $400
Associate Members (Allied Health) $125 $200
Resident/Fellow & Medical Student Members $100 $150

 

Non-Member Rates Add-On to STS 2025 Pre-Conference Symposium Only
Surgeons & Physicians $350 $500
Allied Health Professionals $175 $250
Medical Students & Trainees $150 $200

 

Exhibit Opportunities

View the Exhibit Prospectus to learn about tabletop and symposium opportunities during all three pre-conference sessions. 

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