This transformative learning program aims at enabling the participants to gain insight in the interdisciplinary management of several important congenital cardiac lesions, through live simulation of cardiac congenital interdisciplinary team discussion, and the practice of hands-on surgical repair.

Focusing on the anatomical and imaging understanding directed at both clinical management and surgical repair, coupled with the practice of surgical procedures on 3D cardiac models, the course provides a comprehensive real-life simulation for all members of a modern congenital interdisciplinary team. Each module follows a consistent pedagogical progression, from clinical presentation through imaging review, decision-making, and simulated surgical intervention. The approach combines traditional learning and teaching methodology with the use of multimodality imaging, 3D modelling, and immersive simulation, enhanced by ample access to experts in clinical cardiology, cardiac congenital imaging and interventions and surgery throughout the course.

The course’s program is developed over three days, and participants from all core disciplines related to congenital cardiac care can choose the duration of their participation, over one, two or three days.

On day one emphasis is placed on the presentation of the lesions included in the program, their clinical-imaging correlates and the surgical solutions available. The afternoon session will see the participants engage in live IDT discussions on real cases, enabling the application of the information acquired in the morning to clinical-surgical decision making.

On day two clinical cases are presented to introduce the surgical sessions on ASD, VSD and Tetralogy of Fallot repair. Surgeries will be conducted by the delegates from surgery and nursing, assisted on a one-to-one basis by our surgical mentors. Each delegate will be able to perform each surgical repair.

During the surgical session which continue in the afternoon, participants to day two will be able to engage in small seminars with our consultant cardiologists and radiologists for an in-depth review of advanced imaging and virtual reality technology, including advanced echocardiography, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI and 3D modelling.

On day three clinical cases are presented to introduce the surgical sessions on Coarctation of aorta, Arterial switch operation and surgery for single ventricle, including bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt – BCPS (the ‘Glenn procedure’), and extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection – TCPC (the ‘Fontan operation’). Surgeries will be conducted by the delegates from surgery and nursing, assisted on a one-to-one basis by our surgical mentors. Each delegate will be able to perform each surgical repair.