29 April, 2025 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. EDT
- Industry
- ISHLT2025


Outsmarting the Heart: Device Therapy Targeting the Neurohormonal Pathway in HFrEF Patients
Room 312
CVRx
Outsmarting the Heart: Device Therapy Targeting the Neurohormonal Pathway in HFrEF Patients
Primary Core Therapy: Heart | Primary Practice Area: Cardiology

Despite the use of guideline-directed medical therapy, many patients with HFrEF continue to experience worsening symptoms and disease progression. Barostim is a novel device therapy that complements GDMT by targeting the neurohormonal pathways in heart failure. Interdisciplinary experts will discuss unmet needs in Class II/III HFrEF, patient selection, outcomes, and strategies for integrating Barostim into a comprehensive heart failure program.
Moderator
Shelley Hall, MD, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA
Speakers
Shelley Hall, MD, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA
Eva Proctor, MD, Baptist Memorial Health, Memphis, TN USA
Nirav Raval, MD, Baycare Health, Tampa, FL USA

Two Thresholds, One Powerful Solution; Enhancing Overall dd-cfDNA Testing Accuracy in Heart Transplantation Using Fraction and Donor Quantity Score (DQS)
Ballroom C
Natera
Two Thresholds, One Powerful Solution; Enhancing Overall dd-cfDNA Testing Accuracy in Heart Transplantation Using Fraction and Donor Quantity Score (DQS)
Primary Core Therapy: Heart | Primary Practice Area: Cardiology

This session will highlight the exciting new data in support of noninvasively monitoring for rejection risk post heart transplantation. The addition of a second threshold called Donor Quantity Score (DQS) has been shown to improve the overall performance of the test and reduce false positive rates by 37% compared to dd-cfDNA fraction % alone. This session will provide an overview of literature in support of the DQS metric as well as share personal clinical accounts in the form of case studies to highlight its value in supporting clinical decision making.
Moderator
Michael Olymbios, MD, Natera, Los Angeles, CA USA
Speakers
Michael Olymbios, MD, Natera, Los Angeles, CA USA
Philip Halloran, MD, PhD, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
Brent Lampert, DO, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical
Center, Columbus, OH USA
Roopa Rao, MD, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN USA

Mounting Evidence: Multifaceted Impact of Advanced Heart Preservation
Room 302 / 304 / 306
Paragonix
Mounting Evidence: Multifaceted Impact of Advanced Heart Preservation
Primary Core Therapy: Heart | Primary Practice Area: Cardiothoracic Surgery

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest findings from the GUARDIAN Heart Registry, along with case studies showcasing innovative applications of SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System technology.
Join leading experts as they explore current trends in advanced heart preservation, share key insights from real-world applications, and discuss the future of organ transport and transplantation. Learn about emerging advancements and what’s next in the evolution of heart preservation technology.
Moderator
Michael Tajima, Paragonix Technologies, Waltham, MA USA
Program
Risk and Reward: Minimizing Uncertainty and Maximizing Outcomes Utilizing the Paragonix SherpaPak
Ezequiel Molina, MD, FACS, FACC, Piedmont Heart Institute, Atlanta, GA USA
Innovations in Donor Heart Preservation
Daniel Goldstein, MD, Montefiore Medcial Center, Bronx, NY USA
Moving Forward: Is it Time for a Change in the Heart Procurement Guidelines?
Nir Uriel, MD, MSc, FACC, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA

Charting the Course of IABP Care in the Cardiac Transplant Patient: Where We've Been and Where We're Heading
Ballroom A
Teleflex
Charting the Course of IABP Care in the Cardiac Transplant Patient: Where We've Been and Where We're Heading
Primary Core Therapy: MCS | Primary Practice Area: Heart Transplantation

For decades, intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABPs) have played a crucial role in supporting patients. Initially, their use was driven by necessity, providing essential hemodynamic support in high-risk cardiac cases. Over time, IABP utilization surged, demonstrating that patients were being optimized, especially pre-transplant.
Today, advancements in IABP therapy have led to more refined strategies, including individualized approaches to optimize support duration and patient stability, as well as the implementation of femoral ambulation, allowing select patients to maintain mobility while on pump therapy.
Join us as we explore the evolution of IABP management in transplant patients, discuss the latest strategies, and examine what the future holds for this critical therapy.
Moderators
Christopher Buller, MD, FRCPC, FACC, Teleflex Interventional, Toronto, ON Canada
Kacey Dee, BSN, RN, Teleflex Interventional, Columbus, OH USA
Robin Zappacosta, BSN, RN, Teleflex
Internentional MCS, Apollo Beach, FL USA
Program
Welcome & Introduction
Christopher Buller, MD, FRCPC, FACC, Teleflex Interventional, Toronto, ON Canada
The Evolution of IABP: Innovations in Care
Helaina Teahan, BS, CCP, Comprehensive Care Services, Plymouth, MI USA
This talk will explore the evolution of IABP therapy, from its early necessity-driven use to modern advancements that optimize patient outcomes. We’ll discuss the increased use of IABPs in cardiac transplant patients and how innovations have transformed its role in patient care. Join us as we examine the past, present, and future of IABP therapy.
Walking Toward Recovery: Promoting a Mobilization Culture for Patients
Garretson Gellert, PT, DPT, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
This talk will explore the evolving role of femoral ambulation in IABP therapy for cardiac transplant patients with a femoral IABP. We will discuss the benefits of early mobility, its impact on patient outcomes, and strategies for safely implementing ambulation protocols in this critical population. Join us as we examine how mobility can enhance recovery and optimize transplant success.
Individualized IABP Support Strategies in the Cardiac Transplant Patient
E. Wilson Grandin, MD, MPH, MEd, Beth Israel Beaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA USA
This talk covers the management of IABP therapy in cardiac transplant patients, focusing on customizing support based on individual needs. Participants will learn strategies for IABP support, optimizing patient outcomes, and making informed clinical decisions for better hemodynamic stability.

Pushing Boundaries in Lung Transplantation – More Evidence, More Possibilities
Ballroom B
XVIVO
Pushing Boundaries in Lung Transplantation – More Evidence, More Possibilities
Primary Core Therapy: Lung | Primary Practice Area: Pulmonology

Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP) continues to evolve, driven by increasing clinical evidence and innovative strategies. With an increasing body of long-term follow-up data, we now have a deeper understanding of how advancements in EVLP are impacting outcomes.
Join leading experts as they present the latest clinical results and share real-world experiences from the use of EVLP to overcome challenges in uncontrolled DCD transplantation. Discover how third-party organ recovery services are playing an important role in supporting program growth.
Let us push the boundaries of lung transplantation – with more evidence and more possibilities.
Moderators
Sue Braithwaite, MD, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Laurens Ceulemans, MD, PhD, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Program
Welcome
Christoffer Rosenblad, MSc, BSc, XVIVO, Göthenburg, Sweden
NOVEL Trial Long-Term Outcomes
Pablo Sanchez, MD, PhD, FACS, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
EVLP as a Tool to Overcome Challenges in Uncontrolled DCD
Lorenzo Rosso, MD, PhD, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Expanding Transplant Volume with Quality Driven Third Party Organ Recovery Services
David Hormuth, MD, MBA, XVIVO Organ Recovery Services, Philadelphia, PA USA