CAS Valvular Heart Disease Management

Valvular heart diseases are among the most common health disorders in the elderly population. In recent years, the spectrum of treatments for valvular heart disease has been revolutionized, particularly through the introduction of transcatheter techniques. At the same time, the field of cardiac imaging has advanced significantly.

The wide range of new diagnostic methods and therapeutic options has led to increasing complexity in clinical decision-making processes, thereby highlighting the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. To address these challenges, this program offers a structured, interdisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease.

What to expect from this program?

Upon completion of the program, participants will
•    possess in-depth knowledge of different valvular heart diseases and their prevention, diagnosis, course, treatment options, and long-term care, 
•    be able to use different advanced diagnostic cardiac imaging techniques and appraise their findings to guide treatment decisions, 
•    be able to develop and implement evidence-based strategies for individualized patient assessment and treatment planning,
•    be familiar with various catheter-based interventions for the treatment of valvular heart disease and be able to critically evaluate their suitability according to valve pathology and patient characteristics, 
•    be able to identify criteria and take measures within their area of responsibility to optimize collaboration in multidisciplinary patient care.

Who is the program for?

This program is designed for professionals working in the field of valvular heart disease or seeking to specialize in this area, including cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, specialists in cardiac imaging, heart failure, or electrophysiology, and specialized nursing staff. 

What is the scope and the structure of the program? 

The program comprises a total of 15 ECTS credits (approximately 400 working hours, including 15 days of attendance) and consists of five modules. 

The program includes both online and on-site lectures (blended learning).

The language of instruction in all modules is English. All performance assessments are conducted in English.

Module 1: General Concepts in Valvular Heart Disease (VHD)

• Epidemiological trends in VHD
• The Heart Team and Heart Valve Centre
• Interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration in clinical practice
• Clinical evaluation of patients with VHDs
• Volume-outcome relationship for the treatment of VHD
• Rheumatic heart disease and endocarditis

Module 2: Aortic Valve Disease

• Aortic stenosis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, patient selection, and interventions
• Procedural steps for transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI)
• SAVR and surgical techniques
• Aortic regurgitation: pathogenesis, diagnosis, patient selection, and interventions

Module 3: Mitral Valve Disease

• Primary mitral regurgitation: pathogenesis and diagnosis,
• Treatment and techniques for mitral valve disease: M-TEER and TMVI
• Imaging guidance for M-TEER
• Secondary mitral regurgitation: pathogenesis, diagnosis, patient selection, and interventions

Module 4: Pulmonic Valve Disease and Multivalve Disease

• Pulmonic valve disease: diagnosis, classification, patient selection, and interventions
• Transcatheter interventions for pulmonic valve disease
• Multivalve disease: diagnostic pitfalls and treatment considerations

Module 5: Tricuspid Valve Disease

• Tricuspid valve disease: pathogenesis, diagnosis, patient selection, and interventions
• Surgical tricuspid valve repair and replacement
• T-TEER: imaging guidance and procedural steps
• TTVR: imaging guidance and procedural steps

Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern / Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital

Admission to the program requires:

• a completed university degree
• professional experience in the healthcare sector (e.g. cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, experts in cardiac imaging, heart failure and/or in electrophysiology, and nursing staff).

Applications not meeting these criteria may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Admission to the program is decided by the program board upon application, and there is no automatic entitlement to admission.

To be communicated.