ISHLT2026: Industry Symposia - Friday

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

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

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

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.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

MMDx Heart and Lung: Breathing New Life into The Heart of Allograft Surveillance

Primary Core Therapy: Heart | Primary Practice Area: Research & Immunology

MMDx complements allograft histopathology through molecular phenotyping. It objectively evaluates the genome-wide changes that underlie rejection and injury states in transplant organs, supporting diagnostic confidence and treatment decisions. Join us for an expert discussion on the clinical utility of MMDx-Heart and an introduction to MMDx-Lung.

Moderators

Kieran Halloran, MD, MSc, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada

Program

Introduction

Paul Sikorski, MS, CHS (ABHI), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA USA

MMDx Heart

Benjamin Mackie, MD, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL USA

MMDx Lung

Irina Timofte, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA

Q&A Session

Led by Moderator

Wrap Up & Conclusion

Paul Sikorski, MS, CHS (ABHI), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA USA
Kieran Halloran, MD, MSc, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada

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