2026 STS Perioperative & Critical Care Conference

Date(s)

Oct 9–10, 2026

Location

Baltimore, MD

Area of Practice

The latest techniques and management strategies in cardiovascular and thoracic critical care and enhanced recovery after surgery for the entire care team.

Course Description

Bring together the interdisciplinary team to explore the latest techniques and management strategies in cardiovascular and thoracic (CVT) critical care and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and the 2026 STS Perioperative and Critical Care Conference. This two-day program features presentations, hands-on demonstrations, scientific abstracts, and panel discussions for all members of the CVT perioperative and critical care team.

Add your name to the interest list if you would like to be informed when registration opens.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to

Describe the elements of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), including:
- How to implement an enhanced recovery protocol.
- Methodologies for patient blood management, avoiding acute kidney injury, and reducing opioids for perioperative analgesia.
- How to measure the effectiveness of an ERAS program.
Evaluate strategies for optimizing the interaction and engagement of the interdisciplinary team during ICU rounds.
Discuss newer metrics for evaluation of healthcare team performance.
Demonstrate techniques in ECMO management, use of ultrasound for cardiac and intravascular volume status in postoperative patients, and management of postoperative cardiac emergencies.
Describe elements of contemporary perioperative management of the heart failure patient.
Explain the organization of the shock team.
Describe the diagnosis and management of:
- Vasoplegia
- Advanced ventilation stratgies for the post-operative cardiac surgery patient.

Target Audience

This conference is designed for all members of the cardiothoracic critical care team, including but not limited to surgeons, cardiologists, interventionalists, intensivists, anesthesiologist, hospitalists, critical care nurses, nurse practitioners, perioperative registered nurses, physician assistants, catheter lab technicians, perfusionists, pharmacists, nutritionists, administrative leads, physical occupational therapists, respiratory therapists. In addition, surgical residents and cardiothoracic surgical fellows in training are encouraged to attend.

Submit an Abstract

Abstracts are now being accepted for consideration. All abstract submissions should relate to cardiovascular and thoracic (CVT) critical care or ERAS. All abstracts will be presented as e-posters. Abstracts must summarize an original contribution and must not have been published in full manuscripts from elsewhere at the time of presentation. Abstracts will be accepted until Wednesday, May 20.

Submit Abstract

Pricing

Early bird rates are available through Wednesday, June 17. STS Members save more!

Category	Early Bird Discounts (through June 17)	Standard Rate
STS Physician Member	$950	$1,050
Physician Non-Member	$1,050	$1,150
Allied Health Member	$550	$650
Allied Health Non-Member	$650	$750
Resident/Fellow and Med Student Members	$400	$500
Resident/Fellow and Med Student Non-Member	$500	$600
Industry		$1,150

Agenda

Day 1 – Friday, Oct. 9

Time	Activity
7 – 7:50 a.m.	Breakfast
7:50 – 8 a.m.	Welcome/Introductions
8 – 9 a.m.	Plenary: ERAS 3.0: Beyond the Basics Moderators: Michael Grant, MD, Baltimore, MD, and Nicholas Teman, MD, Aurora, CO 8 – 8:15 a.m. ERAS Fundamentals Dan Engelman, MD, Springfield, MA 8:15 – 8:30 a.m. ERAS in High-Risk Populations Rakesh Arora, MD, Chicago, IL 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. ERAS Implementation Amanda Rea, DNP, Towson, MD 8:45 – 9 a.m. Panel Discussion: Overcoming Barriers
9 – 10 a.m.	Plenary: RV Failure: Diagnosis & Management Moderators: Natalia Girardi, MD, New York, NY, and Amanda Rea, DNP 9 – 9:15 a.m. RV Failure in the LVAD Patient Erica Feller, MD, Baltimore, MD 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. Optimal Cannulation: Centrifugal Flow vs. Axial Flow Chetan Pasrija, MD, Baltimore, MD 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Perioperative RV Load Optimization Audrey Spelde, MD, Philadelphia, PA 9:45 – 10 a.m. Case-Based Panel Discussion: Rescue Strategies
10 – 10:30 a.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.	Breakout 1A: Vasoplegia and Shock Syndromes Moderators: Subhasis Chatterjee, MD, and Zachary Gray, PA-C 10:30 – 10:40 a.m. Defining Vasoplegia: Pathophysiology and Risk Prediction Natalia Giardi, MD 10:40 –10:50 a.m. Adjunctive Therapies: Methylene Blue, Hydroxocobalamin, Angiostein II Jamel Ortoleva, Boston, MA 10:50 – 11 a.m. Algorithmic Management of Post-Cardiotomy Shock Audrey Splede, MD 11 – 11:15 a.m. Panel Discussion: Early vs. Stepwise Escalation
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.	Breakout 1B: Thoracic & Airway Emergencies Moderators: Natalia Giradi, MD, and Jacqueline Olive, MD 10:30 - 10:38 a.m. Bronchopleural Fistula and Empyema Christine Lau, MD, Baltimore, MD 10:38 – 10:46 a.m. When to Pull the Trigger on VV ECMO Joe Rabin, MD, Baltimore, MD 10:46 – 10:54 a.m. Inhaled NO vs. Prostacyclin for Pulmonary Hypertension Kam Ghadimi, MD, MHSc, Durham, NC 10:54 – 11:02 a.m. Air Leak & Rational Chest Tube Strategies Jeremiah A. Hayanga, MD, MPH, MHL, Morgantown, WV 11:02 – 11:15 a.m. Panel Discussion
11:20 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.	Breakout 2A: ECMO in Crisis Moderators: Madia Clarizia, MD, and Rakesh Arora, MD 11:20 – 11:28 a.m. Circuit Emergencies and Disaster Scenarios TBD 11:28 – 11:36 a.m. Anticoagulation Challenges and New Agents Jessica Crow, MD, Baltimore, MD 11:36 – 11:44 a.m. Rescue Strategies for Refractory Hypoexemia Jermiah A. Hayanga, MD, MPH, MHL 11:44 – 11:52 a.m. Debate: Routine vs. Selective LV Unloading Chaten Pasrija, MD 11:52 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. Panel Discussion 11:20 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. Breakout 2B: Precison Critical Care Moderator: Michael Grant, MD 11:20 – 11:35 a.m. Reducing the Documentation Burden wtih AI Nicholas Teman, MD, Aurora, CO 11:35 – 11:50 a.m. Hemodynamic Data Streams and Prevention of Organ Injury Lee Goedeel, MD, MPH, Baltimore, MD 11:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. Panel Discussion: The Promise (and Pitfalls) of AI in Cardiac Critical Care
11:20 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.	Breakout 2B: Precison Critical Care Moderator: Michael Grant, MD 11:20 – 11:35 a.m. Reducing the Documentation Burden wtih AI Nicholas Teman, MD, Aurora, CO 11:35 – 11:50 a.m. Hemodynamic Data Streams and Prevention of Organ Injury Lee Goedeel, MD, MPH, Baltimore, MD 11:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. Panel Discussion: The Promise (and Pitfalls) of AI in Cardiac Critical Care
12:05 – 1:10 p.m.	Lunch & Symposium
1:10 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.	Breakout 3A: MCS: From Temporary to Durable Moderators: Daniel Engelman, MD, and Kam Ghadimi, MD 1:10 – 1:18 p.m. Critical Care Before Implant Jason Katz, MD, New York, NY 1:18 – 1:26 p.m. Early Mobilization on MCS Kari DiVito, PT, DPT, Morgantown, WV 1:26 – 1:34 p.m. Roundtable: Building a Shock Team Framework Aakash Shah, MD, College Park, MD 1:34 – 1:42 p.m. Case-Based Integration: MCS to LVAD Transition Michael Zhen-Yu Tong, MD, MBA 1:42 – 1:55 p.m. Panel Discussion
1:10 – 1:55 p.m.	Breakout 3B: APP Leadership & Workforce Development Moderators: Amanda Rea, DNP, and Zachary Gray, PA-C 1:10 – 1:18 p.m. Training Pathways & Credentialing in CT Critical Care Amanda Rea, DNP 1:18 – 1:26 p.m. Driving Change in the ICU Tim Meyenburg, CRNP, Baltimore, MD 1:26 – 1:34 p.m. APP-Led Pre-Operative Optimization Zachary Gray, PAC-C 1:34 – 1:42 p.m. Building Sustainable APP-Led Programs Erin Niles, PA-C, Baltimore, MD 1:42 – 1:55 p.m. Panel Discussion
1:55 – 2:10 p.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
2:10 – 2:55 p.m.	Hands-On Rotations (All participants assigned to one) ECMO POCUS CSU-ALS Networking & Roundtable Case-Based Discussions
3 – 3:45 p.m.	Hands-On Rotations (All participants assigned to one) ECMO POCUS CSU-ALS Networking & Roundtable Case-Based Discussions
3:45 – 4 p.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
4 – 5 p.m.	Plenary Session: Caring for the Whole Patient Moderators: Erin Niles, and Audrey Splede, MD 4 – 4:10 p.m. Sleep Disturbance and Recovery Jacqueline Olive, MD 4:10 – 4: 20 p.m. Managing Anxiety and Congnitive Dusfynction Cheryl Crisafi, MSN, RN, Springfield, MA 4:20 – 4:30 p.m. Nitrition and Frality Screening Rakesh Arora, MD 4:30 – 4:40 p.m. Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Sarah Holler, RN, Baltimore, MD 4:40 – 4:50 p.m. Liberalized Sternal Precautions Rachel Born, DPT, Baltimore, MD 4:50 – 5 p.m. Panel Discussion
5 – 5:15 p.m.	Day 1 Wrap Up
5:15 – 6:15	E-Posters & Reception

Day 2 – Saturday, Oct. 10

Time	Activity
7 – 7:45 a.m.	Breakfast
7:45 – 8 a.m.	Welcome
8 – 9 a.m.	Plenary: Bleeding & Transfusion Management Moderators: Nicholas Teman, MD, and Jacqueline Olive, MD
8 – 8:10 a.m.	Pre-Operative Bleeding: Reducing the Risk Zachary Gray, PA-C
8:10 – 8:20 a.m.	Post-Operative Bleeding Nadia Clarizia, Ottawa, ON
8:20 – 8:30 a.m.	VET-Driven Transfusion Strategies Rown Salenger, Baltimore, MD
8:30 – 8:40 a.m.	Factor 7 vs. FPP vs. PCC Michael Boss, MD, Townson, MD
8:40 – 9 a.m.	Case-Based Panel: Bleeding Emergencies
9 – 9:45 a.m.	Plenary: POAF Prevention and Rhythm Management Moderators: Zachary Gray, PA-C, and Nadia Clarizia, MD 9 – 9:08 a.m. Amiodarone vs. Beta Blockers for Prophylaxis Daniel Neas, RN, Baltimore, MD 9:08 – 9:16 a.m. Posterior Pericardiotomy Prophylactic LAA Occlusion James Gammie, MD, Baltimore, MD 9:16 – 9:24 a.m. Rate vs Rhythm Control: Does It Matter? Michael Grant, MD, Baltimore, MD 9:24 – 9:32 a.m. Anticoagulation for POAF Subhasis Chatterjee, MD, Houston, TX 9:32 – 9:45 a.m. Panel Discussions: Standardizing POAF Pathways Across Institutions
9:45 – 10:15 a.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
10:15 – 11 a.m.	Hands On Rotations (All participants assigned to one) ECMO POCUS CSU-ALS Networking & Roundtable Case-Based Discussions
11:05 – 11:50 a.m.	Hands On Rotations (All participants assigned to one) ECMO POCUS CSU-ALS Networking & Roundtable Case-Based Discussions
11:50 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Lunch & Symposium
1:05 – 1:50 p.m.	Breakout 4A: Reviewing the Literature Moderators: Rakes Arora, MD, and Daniel Engelman 1:05 – 1:13 p.m. Liver Disfunction and the Cardiac Surgical Patient Giancarlo Suffredini, MD, Baltimore, MD 1:13 – 1:21 p.m. LVOT Obstruction Heather Hayanga, MD, Morgantown, WV 1:21 – 1:29 p.m. Approach to the Difficult Airway Patient Laeben Lester, MD, Baltimore, MD 1:29 – 1:37 p.m. ESRD Patients & Cardiac Surgery Alison Grazioli, MD, Baltimore, MD 1:37 – 1:50 p.m. Panel Discussions
1:50 – 2:05 p.m.	Break/Visit Exhibits
2:05 – 3:05 p.m.	Plenary: Failure to Rescue: Strengthening Your ICU System Moderators: Subhasis Chtterjee, MD, and Jermiah A. Hayanga, MD 2:05 – 2:15 p.m. Failure to Rescue is the Key Nicholas Teman, MD 2:15 – 2:25 p.m. STS Quality Metrics You Need to Know Kevin Lobdell, MD, Charlotte, NC 2:25 – 2:35 p.m. ICU Staffing and Nighttime Coverage Michael Grant, MD 2:35 - 2:45 p.m. Hands-Off and Checklists Erin Niles, MD 2:45 – 3:05 p.m. Panel Discussions: What Went Right or Wrong?
3:05 p.m.	Day Two Ends

Planning Committee

Subhasis Chatterjee, MD (Chair)
Nicholas Teman, MD (Vice Chair)
Nadia Clarizia, MD
Michael Grant, MD
Zachary Gray, PA-C
J.W. Awori Hayanga, MD
Jacqueline Olive, MD
Amanda Rea, DNP, CRNP
Audrey Spelde, MD

Hotel Arrangements

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor (300 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 21202). The special STS group rate of $218, plus state and local taxes, is guaranteed through Friday Sept. 18, or until the group block is sold out. Guest rooms reserved after the cutoff date or when the room block is sold out are subject to hotel availability.

Reserve Housing

Cancelations

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons will issue a refund, minus a $100 administrative fee, for all calculations received in writing by Sept. 25, at meetings@sts.org. No refunds will be issued after this date.

Ethical Medtech Compliance

This course has been assessed by Ethical MedTech and is pre-cleared as compliant with the MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice and EFPIA Code of Practice.

Reserve Housing