The annual Salzburg Cleveland Clinic Cardiac Surgery course, which took place from November 10 to 16, 2024, brought together world-leading specialists from Cleveland Clinic, the Medical University of Vienna, and the University Hospital Center Zagreb to lecture on the latest topics in cardiac surgery. 33 young heart surgeons from 22 countries benefitted from the seminar which featured an interactive workshop on Quick Response TEE. Important focal areas this year included coronary artery bypass surgery, valve repair and replacement surgery, and aortic surgery. Case presentations by fellows provided the opportunity to discuss real patient management strategies with the expert faculty.
The participants were taught by eight experts from the United States, Austria, and Croatia. From Cleveland Clinic, we hosted once again Dr. Edward G. Soltesz (course director), Dr. Nikolaos J. Skubas (co-course director), and Dr. Marc Gillinov. The Austrian side of the faculty cohort, stemming from the Medical University of Vienna, consisted of Dr. Daniel Zimpfer, Dr. Marek P. Ehrlich, Dr. Alfred Kocher, and Dr. Julia Riebandt. Last but not least, Dr. Hrvoje Gasparovic joined the faculty from the University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia.
Cleveland Clinic’s surgeons have both depth and breadth of experience that allows them to perform complex operations, such as second or third heart surgeries and conditions previously deemed inoperable with success rates above the national average. The doctors at the Medical University of Vienna can help almost all patients suffering from heart disease very effectively and are constantly striving to improve prognosis and quality of life through applied research. Besides providing basic healthcare, physicians at the University Hospital Center Zagreb stay up to date with the latest treatment methods, which are implemented into everyday work in accordance with strict scientific criteria. The capability and knowledge of the faculty stemming from these three esteemed institutions speaks for itself.
Besides being known for their skillfulness in the operating room, the faculty are also known for their kind-heartedness. They patiently answered all of the fellows’ questions, made time to have conversations with participants outside of the lecture hall, and gave detailed feedback after each fellow’s case presentation.
When asked how he would describe the fellows, Dr. Soltesz explained, “This week’s group of participants included 33 fellows from 22 countries, selected from a field of 173 applicants. The increasing applicant pool is a testament to the high quality of the week-long seminar. As in previous years, fellows were highly engaged and dedicated to the unique learning environment provided by the OMI seminars.”
Interesting to note is that this week there was also a workshop led by Dr. Skubas, focussing on Quick Response TEE. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an ultrasound technology that provides highly detailed images of the heart and its internal structures. During the workshop, fellows diagnosed 20 different pathologies shown to them in pictures or moving images. This interactive session let fellows test their knowledge and discuss treatment strategies.
Ivana Durosev, MD
OMI fellow from Serbia
“The quick response transesophageal echocardiography workshop by Dr. Skubas was incredibly valuable. Using practical examples, he encouraged us to implement TEE upon our return to our hospitals.”
Mindaugas Budra, MD
OMI fellow from Lithuania
“Dr. Soltesz’s lecture on acute aortic dissection was extremely useful and crucial for my practice as I was recently appointed to be an on-call cardiac surgeon.”
Abayomi Oguns, MD
OMI fellow from Nigeria
“Wisdom and information were imparted to me in heaps during this seminar. The personal investment of the faculty in the lectures they presented was very inspiring.”
