2023 Heart Failure Symposium

On a sunny Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center at the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson held its inaugural Heart Failure Symposium—the first iteration of what is now an annual event.

The symposium was held in the Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch Building, which houses the BIO5 Institute, where many Sarver Heart Center members conduct research. Physicians, scientists, nurse practitioners and other medical providers from across the region convened to discuss a range of topics in heart failure. This included updated guidelines for the management of patients with heart failure released in 2022 by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and Heart Failure Society of America. Participants could earn up to 3.0 CME credits for attending the event.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Toshinobu Kazui, MD, PhD, offered opening remarks and shared a bit of history about the BIO5 Institute, which is named for the five core disciplines represented in its collaborative model. The venue reflected the interdisciplinary spirit of the symposium, which brought together providers from diverse backgrounds with a shared goal: delivering the highest quality of care possible for patients with heart failure.

Presentations began with Banner – University Medical Center Tucson’s Alexandra McGlamery, FNP, who spoke on guideline-directed medical therapy, followed by Banner’s Juvel-lou P. Velasco, AGACNP, who presented on implantable pulmonary artery sensors. Advanced heart disease and transplant cardiology team member Saad Kubba, MD, covered pulmonary hypertension during the first of his two presentations before attendees broke for a mid-morning pause.

In the lobby, representatives from 13 organizations, including medical technology and pharmaceutical companies as well as local nonprofit hospice providers, shared information about their products and services. Between presentations, attendees engaged with exhibitors, enjoyed refreshments and stepped outside to view the solar eclipse that occurred that day. Guests passed around eclipse glasses to safely watch the moon move across the sun before returning to the auditorium for the remainder of the program.

After the break, Deepak Acharya, MD, MSPH, Division of Cardiology lead for the Cardiogenic Shock Program, presented on “Shock and Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support,” before returning the microphone to Dr. Kubba for his talk on “Timely Referrals.” Next, Banner clinical program manager Eddie Betterton delivered a presentation on ventricular assist devices and artificial hearts, followed by Sharon Powell, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, CCTC, who spoke on transplant coordination. Dr. Acharya then returned to the podium to present on “Referrals: The Window of Opportunity,” concluding the CME portion of the event.

The eclipse was not the only memorable moment of the symposium. The event concluded with a patient story from Paul Hartman, a retired astronomer and former patient of Elizabeth Juneman, MD, Sarver Heart interim director and Division of Cardiology interim chief. Hartman was joined by his wife and daughter and also recognized members of his care team, including Dr. Kazui, Powell, Velasco and Betterton. He shared his experience receiving a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to support his heart and said that, despite his initial doubts, his care team worked closely with him to tailor a treatment plan and restore a quality of life he had not expected to regain.

At the conclusion of the event, Velasco presented Hartman with a gift on behalf of the Sarver Heart Center. Lunch was provided, and attendees took a final lap around the lobby to connect with exhibitors before heading out.