DAPM at the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists 2025 Annual Meeting
DAPM at the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists 2025 Annual Meeting
Written by Dr. Ashley Oliver
At the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) 2025 Annual Meeting in Montreal, Canada, DAPM faculty and trainees of the Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine at UCLA (DAPM) showcased their academic, clinical, and educational contributions to the subspecialty. Jonathan Ho, MD, played a central role by serving as Program Chair, leading the Scientific Program Committee, and actively participating in Board of Directors and Continuing Medical Education Committee meetings. He also moderated the Earl Wynands Lecture delivered by Andre Denault, MD, and the Plenary Refresher Course lectures.
J. Prince Neelankavil, MD, brought his expertise in echocardiography and mechanical circulatory support to the forefront. He moderated the Super Echo Session, led two faculty sessions of the Advanced POCUS workshop, and contributed to education through a Problem-based Learning Discussion (PBLD) session on separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). He also served as moderator for the “Best in Show” Fellows Case Presentations.
Reed Harvey, MD, concluded his term on the Scientific Program Committee and delivered multiple talks, including plenary sessions on controversial topics such as off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) and complex left atrial pathology. He also moderated discussion sessions such as "The Forgotten Ventricle." Tiffany Williams, MD, PhD, addressed dynamic topics in perioperative medicine, offering insights on artificial intelligence (AI) in hemodynamic monitoring and perioperative management of adults with congenital heart disease, as well as leading a PBLD on Fontan physiology and ventricular assist device (VAD) placement.
Andrew Disque, MD, served as faculty for the structural heart/electrophysiology workshop and gave a lecture on cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Matt Fischer, MD, MS, and Louis Saddic III, MD, PhD, were active in the Research Committee and poster moderation. Dr. Fischer also presented a general session lecture, highlighting his dual role as a clinician and researcher. Ali Salehi, MD, participated in the Abstract Review Committee and moderated scientific posters. Ashley Oliver, MD, MA, began her first term on the Scientific Program Committee, while also contributing as a moderator for the Fellows Poster session and teaching in the Echo Essentials Masterclass. Emily Methangkool, MD, MPH, presented on the impact of incivility on patient safety in cardiac operating rooms and also continued her Professional Development Workshop for faculty attendees.
The meeting also highlighted work by DAPM fellow and resident physicians. Notable presentations included an investigation into racial and sex-based disparities in thoracic aortic dissection by Jennifer Nam, MD, MBA, a study on cardiac power in Fontan patients by Justine Liang, MD, and a Best of Meeting presentation on preoperative pulmonary artery pulsatility index and acute kidney injury after lung transplantation by Jason Batten, MD, MA. Robert Sutter, MD, explored echocardiographic factors linked to dysphagia in lung transplant recipients, while Laura Lowe, MD, presented a rare case of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. Inkyung Song, MD, PhD, under Dr. Ho’s mentorship, delivered a Best of Meeting presentation on a pilot study investigating transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation for postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery patients.
