Perfusion Insider Newsletter

What's going on in perfusion?

Sign up and the answer will be within your sights. Want to be the first to know – and influence future product development? Sign up for The Perfusion Insider, our industry news group. We’ll keep you informed about upcoming products, training events, and industry news. And, you’ll have a chance to tell us what you think: about our products, your patient experiences, and your training needs.

 

Current Newsletter

In this edition:

• Medtronic's Affinity Fusion^® Oxygenation System Granted Clearance by U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Italian Earthquake Response Earns Medtronic Perfusion Systems the "Partnership in Clinical Support" Award from SpecialtyCare
• Medtronic Highlights Perfusion Product Portfolio at CREF Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium
• Medtronic Displays the Affinity Fusion^® Oxygenation System at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting Using Fully-Interactive Cardiac Perfusion Simulation
• Clinical Use of the New Affinity Fusion^® Oxygenator With Balance^® Biosurface Expands Throughout the European Union
• Use of the Medtronic HMS Plus Hemostasis Management System for a Factor XII Deficient Cardiac Surgery Patient
• Factor XII Deficiency Case Study
• 1,000th Trainee Welcomed to Medtronic European Training and Education Center
• Medtronic Supports Perfusion Education around the World

Medtronic's Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System Granted Clearance by U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

With the FDA's 510(k) clearance, the Affinity Fusion^® Oxygenation System will now benefit adult cardiac surgery patients in the United States with its fundamentally different design approach. Incorporating input from more than 500 perfusionists worldwide, the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator's thoughtful design provides ease of use and includes enhancements that reduce air bubbles from entering the blood during a procedure.

"The Affinity Fusion Oxygenator's design is a unique fusion of our customers' clinical insight and Medtronic's engineering expertise," said Tamara Bratland, Global Product Manager, Medtronic Perfusion Systems. With over 79 new design features, this oxygenator significantly advances adult oxygenation technology with features including:

• proactive air handling through an entire oxygenation system designed to handle air up front
• hemocompatibility to reduce blood trauma, lower hemolysis rates, and minimize exposure to foreign surfaces
• perfusion-practical ergonomics to improve flexibility and ease of use with enhanced customization capabilities
• integrated arterial filter
• expanded heat exchanger and gas transfer capabilities

Cleveland Clinic and The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano First to Use Affinity Fusion System in U.S.

Currently, perfusionists in more than 23 countries and 100 medical centers throughout the world use the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator. Its first U.S. use occurred at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, where Patrick Grady, Director of Perfusion Services and a paid member of the Fusion expert advisory board, assisted an open-heart surgery for a mini right thoracotomy and mitral valve repair procedure. Joseph Sabik, M.D., Chair of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, and a paid member of Medtronic's heart valve scientific advisory board, performed the procedure.

Additionally, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (HHBP), Plano, TX, used the system for the first time during a mitral valve repair cases. Will Ryan, M.D., and Robert L. Smith, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeons at The HHPB, performed the procedures with Al Lione, Chief Perfusionist.

Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System Incorporates Design Enhancements from Inlet to Outlet

With a fundamentally different design approach, perfusionists will experience design enhancements that include:

• Progressive fiber filtration – a proprietary fiber winding process with an interlaced pattern that efficiently filters the blood and removes particles and air while oxygenating the blood.
• Uniform flow distribution – smooth tubular blood pathways and a unique curved venous inlet tube, both of which reduce blood turbulence during the surgical procedure.
• Improved flexibility and ease of use – enhanced setup and customization features include a new oxygenation system holder, the Affinity Orbit^®, that gives perfusionists more room to shorten lines in various operating rooms, including those with limited space.

As a fully integrated oxygenator and arterial filter, the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator features:

• An electrical shunt that creates equilibrium between the blood and water pathway voltages, reducing the potential for electrostatic discharge that roller pump head rotation may develop.
• A plastic heat exchanger that increases heat exchange performance, decreases prime volume, minimizes blood-contacting surfaces and enables device incineration.
• Radial blood flow design that facilitates short, uniform blood flow to avoid areas of stasis while minimizing blood contact with foreign surfaces
• Pre-membrane bubble trap that purges air before it reaches the fiber membrane by means of a built-in, one-way valve. The tangential flow creates centrifugal force that moves air to the center of the device where it is removed through a purge line.

The Affinity Fusion Oxygenator is available with two biocompatible surface options:

• Balance Biosurface – a hydrophilic biosurface option without heparin that reduces platelet activation and lowers platelet adhesion.¹
• Carmeda^® BioActive Surface – a durable, non-leaching end point attached heparin that provides thromboresistance and enhanced blood compatibility.²

"With a 260 mL prime volume, enhanced gas transfer and heat exchange performance, the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator is indicated for use as both an oxygenator and arterial filter system," noted Bratland. "Its 25µm filtration capability efficiently handles air and particulates."

The introduction of the Affinity Fusion System is another example of Medtronic's commitment to perfusion solutions. For more information about the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator, go to www.fusionoxygenator.com.

 

Back to top

---

 

Italian Earthquake Response Earns Medtronic Perfusion Systems the "Partnership in Clinical Support" Award from SpecialtyCare

On February 8, 2013, Michael Kolb, Medtronic Vice President, U.S. Commercial Operations accepted on behalf of Medtronic Perfusion Systems the "Partnership in Clinical Support" Award from SpecialtyCare, the largest U.S. perfusion services company. "This award recognizes a business partner who is dedicated to and supportive of the exceptional care SpecialtyCare's clinical associates provide our patients and hospital clients," said Kathy Irvin, RN, Vice President of Supply Chain Services, SpecialtyCare, Nashville, TN. "Medtronic and Michael's efforts went 'above and beyond' as they helped us obtain alternative critical cardiac products following the May 2012 earthquake in Italy."

The earthquake devastated the Italian manufacturing facilities of Sorin and Euroset, crippling over 35% of the market's perfusion and autotransfusion products supply. Many customers asked Medtronic for quick support of their case needs, including oxygenators, blood pumps, blood reservoirs, and autotransfusion disposables. "Medtronic provided critical product support, often in the eleventh hour," Irvin noted. "Thanks to their response, SpecialtyCare did not have to cancel a single open heart case during this time. Michael was extremely professional and committed to putting patients first, stepping in to help us with critically needed products."

"We committed ourselves to helping customers impacted by the Sorin and Euroset service disruption as well as our existing customers," Kolb said. "Had Medtronic not been able to respond to everyone's needs, customers would have been unable to serve their patients and surgeries would have been cancelled.

The award was presented at SpecialtyCare's annual meeting in Nashville where about 500 SpecialtyCare executives, associates, and supply partners convened. SpecialtyCare has its roots in cardiac perfusion, participating in one out of every 9 open-heart surgeries performed in the United States and assisting in 44,000 open-heart procedures worldwide each year. The company serves upward of 820 hospitals, including more than 192 cardiac surgery programs at hospitals in 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and in Germany through their Life Systems subsidiary.

Italian Earthquake's Impact

On May 20 and 29, 2012, two major earthquakes struck the heart of the medical device manufacturing "hub" in northern Italy. The disaster had far-reaching consequences for Medtronic's perfusion and autotransfusion product lines. With increased demand in Italy and from customers around the world, Medtronic ramped up production in their Brooklyn Park, MN, Grand Rapids, MI, and Kerkrade, The Netherlands manufacturing facilities. "We realized that our entire supply chain would be affected by this new demand," Kolb said. "Close coordination was required between sales, marketing, global supply chain and manufacturing."

After the earthquake, as customers approached Medtronic to ascertain their ability to provide incremental perfusion and blood management products, Medtronic was able to assure them that supplies were well stocked. "We assured them that Medtronic could support patient surgeries without interruption," Kolb added. To achieve this, Medtronic implemented 24-hour, seven-day-per week work shifts at manufacturing facilities that produced the needed products.

"As we managed this situation, our foremost concern was for our patients, employees, and their families in the quake zone," said Denise Steinbring, Director of Perfusion Marketing, Medtronic Structural Heart. "Our efforts to provide uninterrupted patient care to support our employees and our customers was consistent with the overall Medtronic mission."

For more information about Medtronic perfusion and blood management products, contact your Medtronic representative. For information about SpecialtyCare, visit www.specialtycare.net.

 

Back to top

---

 

Medtronic Highlights Perfusion Product Portfolio at CREF Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium

At the February 6-9, 2013 CREF Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium in San Diego, CA, Medtronic highlighted its perfusion product portfolio, including the new Affinity Fusion^® and Affinity Pixie^® Oxygenation Systems. "Collaboration between Medtronic and perfusionists is transforming our business," said Tamara Bratland, Global Product Manager, Medtronic Perfusion Systems. "Our new Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System is an excellent example."

Thursday evening Medtronic set up a Product Experience Center, giving perfusionists hands-on experience with the newest products in its perfusion portfolio. Using the Orpheus^® Perfusion Simulator, Medtronic demonstrated how the Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System lets perfusionists handle air without an external arterial filter. "Among the Affinity Fusion System's unique aspects is its fully integrated oxygenator and arterial filter," Bratland noted.

Designed for careful blood handling and air management, the Affinity Fusion System's unique design gives perfusionists many features, including:

• Proactive air handling
• Enhanced hemocompatibility
• Improved flexibility and ease of use
• Oxygenator with integrated arterial filter
• Expanded heat exchanger and gas transfer capabilities

In a wet lab set-up at the Product Experience Center perfusionists also got hands-on experience with the Affinity Pixie Oxygenation System. With a maximum flow rate of 2.0 L/min and a low oxygenator prime volume of just 48 mL, the Affinity Pixie^® System supports a broad range of neonates and infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

To finish the demonstrations, perfusionists received updates on other Medtronic perfusion solutions, including cannulae, the HMS Plus Blood Management System and the autoLog^® Autotransfusion System. They also heard an update on the Rethinking Blood Conservation program, which has been effective in helping hospitals reduce the financial and clinical complications of blood transfusions. Medtronic engineers answered technical questions, and Medtronic custom pack coordinators helped perfusionists better understand how the new perfusion products could be incorporated in their custom packs.

"Our Product Experience Center provided a 'hands-on' experience for customers as they moved from station to station, talking with engineers, observing and using products, and learning how our perfusion products impact blood conservation techniques," said Bratland. "Thursday evening we arranged for a chef to prepare pasta. Dessert was served on a stick. Another hands-on experience. Everyone enjoyed the evening and left with some key takeaways."

For more information about Medtronic's perfusion portfolio contact your Medtronic representative. Visit www.fusionoxygenator.com for additional information about the Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System and www.affinitypixie.com to learn more about the Affinity Pixie Oxygenation System.

 

Back to top

---

 

Medtronic Displays the Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting Using Fully-Interactive Cardiac Perfusion Simulation

Medtronic displayed the Affinity Fusion^® Oxygenation System at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) 48th Annual Meeting, January 26-30, 2013, with clinicians simulating arrested heart perfusion on the Orpheus^® Perfusion Simulator.¹ Nearly 2,300 medical professionals attended the STS Annual Meeting, where Medtronic reinforced their exhibit theme, "Find Opportunity in Change," with product exhibits and hands-on simulations.

 

During the meeting, cardiac surgeons performed hands-on aortic cannulation with the fully-interactive cardiac perfusion simulator. "Clinicians visiting our exhibit were very engaged in placing purse string sutures and cannulating our aortic model," said Mark Bearss, Medtronic Cardiopulmonary Education Program Manager. "With simulated training, the greater the fidelity, the more effective the training experience. Medtronic has worked with a tissue modeling company to create a thin aorta that connects to the Orpheus Perfusion Simulator to create realistic, pulsatile arterial blood pressure in the aorta."

Bearss asked clinicians who used the simulator if they ever experienced air problems during bypass. Many answered that they had and were informed that the Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System has a pre-membrane bubble trap positioned at the top of the oxygenator to purge air before it reaches the fiber membrane. "Cardiac Surgeons enjoyed learning about the perfusion circuit in addition to cannulation during the simulation exercise. This included learning about the new Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System recently cleared for clinical use in the United States," Bearss noted. "The innovative design of the Affinity Fusion System makes it one of the most enhanced products of its kind. The ability to use the system in a simulated arrested heart procedure reinforced their enthusiasm."

For more information about the Affinity Fusion Oxygenation System, visit www.fusionoxygenator.com or contact your Medtronic representative.

Reference

1. Orpheus is a trademark of Ulco Technologies.

 

Back to top

---

 

Clinical Use of the New Affinity Fusion Oxygenator With Balance Biosurface Expands Throughout the European Union

Perfusionists in 22 European Union (EU) countries are now using the New Affinity Fusion^® Oxygenlator with Balance Biosurface¹. To date, more than 2,100 cases have been performed using the system at more than 100 hospitals/medical centers. Medtronic launched the new Affinity Fusion Oxygenator with Balance Biosurface in Europe in October 2012 after it received the Conformité Européenne (CE) Mark in September.

The Universitäts Klinik in Bern, Switzerland, is one of the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator's major users. "We use primarily in our mini bypass procedures," said Dr. h.c. Erich Gygax, Chief Perfusionist. "The oxygenator's design features a venous air removal device and a premembrane bubble trap, which add a level of safety to the procedure."

Universitätsklinikum Hospital in Essen, Germany, also uses the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator. Together with the Universitäts Klinik in Bern, the two hospitals have used the system in approximately 500 cases. "I appreciate the system's flexible design," said Wolf Ingo Wiese, chief perfusionist at Universitätsklinikum. "It's a big advantage that we can gain prime during set up. I also like the design of the new Affinity Orbit^® holder. It's easy to position on the heart-lung machine."

"EU perfusionists are enthusiastic about the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator, which is fundamentally different from previous designs," said Christiaan Matheve, Medtronic Training and Education Manager, Perfusion Technology for Europe and Canada. "Once they begin using it, they realize that it is truly the product of collaboration between perfusionists and Medtronic's engineering experts."

For more information about the Affinity Fusion Oxygenator, go to www.fusionoxygenator.com.

 

 

Back to top

---

 

Use of the Medtronic HMS Plus Hemostasis Management System for a Factor XII Deficient Cardiac Surgery Patient

Significant challenges are associated with heparin anticoagulation in patients with Factor XII deficiency. Tests such as the activated clotting time (ACT), which demonstrates heparin's effect, do not provide adequate information for patients with Factor XII deficiency.

Medtronic was recently asked to assist in the management of a Factor XII Deficient patient's heparin anticoagulation during aortic valve replacement surgery, since the ACT provided insufficient information to indicate adequate pre- and intra-procedure heparinization. Additionally, the ACT was unable to confirm reversal of the heparin by protamine following bypass. To jump the case study, click here.

Factor XII Deficiency or Hageman Factor was identified in 1955 when a routine pre-operative blood sample taken from a patient, John Hageman, was found to have a prolonged clotting time despite the patient's negative history for abnormal bleeding. Unlike other clotting factor deficiencies, Factor XII Deficient individuals are asymptomatic for abnormal bleeding, even when challenged with major surgery, injury, and dental extraction. Factor XII Deficiency is an autosomal-recessive disorder with an estimated incidence of one in one million.

Congenital Factor XII Deficiency is the most common cause of an isolated prolongation of Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) in a non-bleeding child or adult and is usually detected during routine pre-operative coagulation screening. The platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time are normal in patients with isolated Factor XII Deficiency. The APTT is markedly prolonged in patients with homozygous Factor XII Deficiency, but corrects to the normal range when the patient's plasma is mixed 1:1 with normal plasma. A specific assay is required to confirm a diagnosis of Factor XII Deficiency.

In contrast to the lack of bleeding manifested in patients with congenital Factor XII Deficiency, there is an increased incidence of serious thromboembolic events. Different studies report a 1% to 8% incidence of serious thromboembolic disease.^1,2,4 Unusually high incidences of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and myocardial infarction have also been described in patients with Factor XII Deficiency,^3,5 which is also the case in two other contact factor deficiency states: Fletcher Factor (Prekallikrein) deficiency and Fitzgerald Factor (High Molecular Weight Kininogen) deficiency.^6,7

In all of these situations, the ability to measure and maintain a stable heparin concentration with the Medtronic HMS Plus Hemostasis Management System provides an alternative for anticoagulation monitoring in these types of patients. It is a reliable, versatile, and effective platform for accurate management.

The use of the HMS Plus System in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and the Lupus Anticoagulant with a prolonged baseline ACT has also been documented in the literature as a good alternative for monitoring heparin during cardiac surgery.^8,9,10,11,12

For more information about the HMS Plus Hemostasis Management System, contact your Medtronic representative or visit www.perfusion.medtronic.com.

 

 

Back to top

---

 

Factor XII Deficiency Case Study

A 70-year-old male was admitted for aortic valve replacement surgery. His history and physical examination were unremarkable for bleeding problems, and he was taken to the operating room and anesthetized. Blood was collected for the baseline activated clotting time (ACT), which was found to be greater than 800 seconds. A second test conducted to rule out contamination confirmed the original results. The valve replacement procedure was cancelled pending further laboratory investigation.

Laboratory specimens revealed normal Prothrombin Time (PT) with Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) of greater than 160 seconds, which corrected to 29 seconds when mixed 1:1 with normal human plasma.

The normal PT and markedly prolonged APTT, which corrected with the addition of normal plasma, are consistent with a deficiency in Factors VIII, IX, XI or XII. Factor VIII and Factor IX Deficiency are associated with Hemophilia A and B. These patients exhibit remarkably abnormal bleeding with or without trauma. Factor XI Deficiency is also associated with abnormal bleeding. The absence of a bleeding history in this patient made a strong case in favor of testing for Factor XII Deficiency.

The specific Factor XII assay result for this patient was <1% activity. Further investigation revealed that other members of the patient's family also have a history of Factor XII Deficiency.

Medtronic HMS Plus Hemostasis Management System Provides an Alternative for Factor XII Deficient Cardiac Surgery Patients

Medtronic was asked to assist with the management of this patient's heparin anticoagulation during the surgery, since the ACT would be unable to provide sufficient information to indicate adequate pre- and intra-procedure heparinization. The ACT would also be unable to confirm reversal of the heparin by protamine following the procedure.

Discussion of how to handle the case cited several papers describing administration of fresh frozen plasma to correct clotting time so that an ACT could be used to monitor anticoagulation. This method was rejected since it would expose the patient to blood products that might otherwise not be required.

The surgical team decided that using the Medtronic HMS Plus Hemostasis Management System to measure heparin concentration during the procedure was a good alternative to ACT testing.

Prior to surgery, an HMS Plus System and the appropriate heparin assay cartridges were delivered to the site and the laboratory validated it for clinical use. Additionally, in-vitro samples of the patient's blood were heparinized and tested with the HMS Plus heparin assay cartridges to demonstrate that the heparin assay would provide the needed monitoring information for this Factor XII deficient patient.

The patient was admitted for surgery and heparinized to 400 units/kg prior to bypass (bolus dose: 40,000 units). The heparin concentration was measured before bypass initiation and every 8 to 10 minutes during bypass. Additional heparin was administered during the case as indicated by the HMS Plus heparin assay to maintain a concentration of 400 units/kg. A total of 15,000 additional units of heparin were given during the course of bypass.

After coming off bypass, the heparin was reversed with protamine sulfate. The HMS Plus System recommended 436 mg of protamine and 440 mg were given. No additional protamine was required.

The patient stayed in the intensive care unit for one day and demonstrated no abnormal bleeding. No blood was administered to the patient, and he was discharged on the fifth day following surgery.

 

Back to top

---

 

1,000th trainee welcomed to Medtronic European Training and Education Center

In January of this year, the Medtronic European Training and Education Center in Kerkrade, The Netherlands, welcomed Björk Tuija from Helsinki University Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, as its 1,000th participant since 2007.

The Medtronic European Training and Education Center was established in the mid-1980s and began offering continuing education and training programs in 2006. Since then, the programs developed by a core of medical and technical professionals have been delivered to clinicians from locations as diverse as Iceland, South Africa and the Far East. Clinicians from more than 56 countries have participated in the Center's programs. "Our goal is to deliver cutting edge education and training programs on our products and therapies," said Christiaan Matheve, Medtronic Training and Education Manager for Perfusion Technology in Europe and Canada. "We have developed more than 10 distinct programs, including scientific education sessions, product training and therapy training." The Center is distinguished by its multilingual character and ability to deal with cultural differences among attendees.

"We were pleased to welcome Björk as our 1,000th trainee, and that we have accomplished this training objective within five years. Participant feedback has been outstanding, particularly as it pertains to the quality and interactivity of our training," Matheve added.

"I appreciated the scientific information Medtronic shared at our training program," said Björk Tuija. "It's very helpful to understand the scientific background that supports the function of their products. The hands-on training was also very informative."

The hands-on training Björk mentioned is an important part of the added value Medtronic brings to education. "Medtronic strives to offer clinicians the best possible tools to improve their skills," Matheve noted.

Besides the Kerkrade-based training programs and in order to stay close to customers, Medtronic provides local education programs to clinicians in their home countries. "These programs facilitate clinician participation and improve the cost effectiveness of our efforts," Matheve said. Many perfusion societies and schools are integrating Medtronic's programs into their training portfolios, including the German Perfusion Society, DGfK, the Dutch Perfusion School in Leiden, The Netherlands, and the Scandinavian School of Perfusionists in Aarhus, Denmark.

Medtronic plans to expand program offerings, to include high-fidelity simulation, to more locations around the world and to adapt them to the future needs of the medical community, helping to ensure the best possible quality of care and service. "It is a privilege to be able to deliver knowledge and share experience with our clinicians so that they can improve patient outcomes during and following a medical intervention," Matheve concluded.

For more information about Medtronic Academia Training and Education programs, contact your Medtronic representative.

 

Back to top

---

 

Medtronic Supports Perfusion Education around the World

Committed to Perfusion, Medtronic supports education programs around the world. Please see the list below of recent and upcoming Cardiovascular Perfusion, Surgery and Anesthesia meetings supported by Medtronic. We invite you to visit the Medtronic exhibit at future meetings and look forward to seeing you!

Meeting	Dates	Location
Transfuse-Transformative Fusion of Innovative Patient Blood Management	March 13-16, 2013	Phoenix, AZ
Simposio Internacional de la Sociedad Colombiana de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular	March 14-16, 2013	Cartagena, Columbia
Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain & Ireland	March 17-19, 2013	Brighton, UK
Impact Jakarta	March 29-30, 2013	Jakarta, Indonesia
Sociedad Mexicana de Cirugía Cardiaca	April 3-6, 2013	Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists	April 6-10, 2013	Miami Beach, FL
Wisconsin Perfusion Society Annual Spring Meeting	April 12-14, 2013	Wisconsin Dells, WI
Network for Advancement of Transfusion Alternatives (NATA)	April 18-19, 2013	Vienna, Austria
InterCEPT - International Course on Extracorporeal Perfusion Technologies	April 18-20, 2013	Milan, Italy
Five-Continent International Symposium on Cardiovascular Diseases (FISCD)	April 19-21, 2013	Beijing, China
Perfusion in the 21st Century (Pennsylvania Perfusion Society)	April 27-28, 2013	Pittsburgh, PA
American Association for Thoracic Surgery	May 4-8, 2013	Minneapolis, MN
Hungarian Society of Cardiology	May 5-11, 2013	Balatonfüred, Hungary
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress	May 6-10, 2013	Auckland, New Zealand
Mechanisms of Perfusion	May 16-19, 2013	Orlando, FL
16th Annual Session of the A.N. Bakoulev Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery	May 18-21, 2013	Moscow, Russia
Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Spring Meeting	May 23, 2013	Seoul, Korea
French Society of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (SFCTCV)	June 12-15, 2013	Marseille, France
International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (ISMICS)	June 12-15, 2013	Prague, Czech Republic
The New Orleans Conference	June 12-15, 2013	New Orleans, LA
European Congress on Extracorporeal Circulation Technology (FECECT)	June 12-15, 2013	Toledo, Spain
Association of Cardiac Surgeons	June 20-22, 2013	Madrid, Spain
Cardiothoracic, Vascular and Perfusion SIG Meeting (ANZCA)	June 30-July 5, 2013	Port Douglas, QLD, Australia
Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery	July 11-13, 2013	Tokyo, Japan
Caribbean Cardiology Conference.	July 24-27, 2013	Curacao, Curacao
Biennial Conference of the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (SCTSSA)	August 2-4, 2013	KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ)	August 8-11, 2013	Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting	August 22-25, 2013	Darwin, NT, Australia

Back to top