Heart Research UK holds virtual training masterclass on heart transplantation at University Hospital Coventry

National charity Heart Research UK has hosted a virtual masterclass, training the next generation of heart surgeons in heart and lung organ management and transplantation.

The masterclass, which was livestreamed from the West Midlands Surgical Training Centre (WMSTC), University Hospital Coventry on the 9th of December, allowed delegates to enhance proficiency in working as a team in organ retrieval.

Cardiothoracic organ retrieval and transplantation is an area of sub-specialisation uncommonly encountered by the majority of surgeons. The course enabled senior trainees and junior consultants to learn about and discuss the newest and safest techniques in heart retrieval and transplantation.

Reflecting the modern approach to heart retrieval while using novel technologies, the cardiothoracic faculty was joined by an abdominal faculty and together demonstrated safe approach to multiorgan donors in general, and donation after circulatory death in particular.

The course, which was led by Mr Marius Berman MD, FRCS (CTh), Consultant Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Royal Papworth Hospital, was livestreamed to delegates and will be followed by a practical training session at the WMSTC in 2021, where delegates will be able to gain hands-on experience of the new techniques, by operating on cadavers.

Heart Research UK masterclasses are free to delegates, ensuring that these skills can be learnt by medical professionals across the country.

The combination of onsite and online faculty, from Harefield, Addenbrookes, Edinburgh, Los Angeles and Papworth, ensured that the delegates were exposed to 9 procedures. Two of the procedures – heart-lung transplantation and normothermic regional perfusion of abdominal organs with cardiothoracic organ retrieval are incredibly rare, only 3-4/year and this course provided an excellent opportunity to learn those in depth.

Course Director Mr Marius Berman, said: “This Masterclass was a huge success, and we are incredibly grateful that Heart Research UK supports these vital sessions.

“It’s not always possible for surgeons to learn about these new techniques, especially when it comes to organ transplantation. They’re incredibly technical procedures, but have huge benefits for patients.

“There’s very little funding for courses such as this, so we thank Heart Research UK and their supporters for this opportunity.”

Helen Wilson, Head of Research at Heart Research UK, said: “Our Masterclasses are absolutely vital in helping to educate the expert health professionals of tomorrow. Given the current restrictions, we have had to alter the way we provide these courses, and we are incredibly glad we were still able to offer this training.

“Organ transplantation is a vital and life-saving form of surgery, so we are really pleased to give surgeons the opportunity to learn these techniques from Mr Berman and his colleagues.

“At Heart Research UK, our aim is to benefit patients as soon as possible, and our masterclasses are one of the most effective ways of doing that.”

To find out more about Heart Research UK and the Masterclasses that they run, please visit heartresearch.org.uk.