Why use IONM for Cardiovascular Procedures?

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IONM) is not currently considered a standard of care for cardiothoracic procedures. This course will present evidence that there is good reason to consider using IONM in many specific cardiovascular procedures where patients have been identified as having an elevated risk for stroke.

Implementing IONM for at-risk patients requires collaboration and communication between multiple healthcare professionals including (but not limited to) surgeons and their staff, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, neurologists, stroke interventionalists, intensivists, and PM&R doctors. Systems need to be put in place for identifying at-risk patients, developing techniques to avoid intra-operative stroke, identifying intraoperative stroke, planning for treatment of intraoperative stroke, and postoperatively managing patients who have experienced intraoperative stroke.

Who Should Attend 

This course is designed primarily for cardiac surgeons and other medical professionals who provide care for patients undergoing or recovering from cardiovascular surgery including cardiologists, family medicine practitioners, and PM&R physicians.  It is also geared towards advanced professionals performing or involved in intraoperative neuromonitoring including but not limited to neurologists, anesthesiologists, board certified neurophysiologists, and senior neurophysiology technologists.

CME Accreditation and Designation 

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)

The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing (CNE)

The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 7.25 contact hours.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)

The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 7.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Other Healthcare Professionals

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) has approved this activity for 8.3 Category I CEUs for Perfusionists.

ASET CEUs

• ASET – The Neurodiagnostic Society has granted 7 Continuing Education Units [ASET-CEUs] for this program.  Such crediting, however, should not be construed by program participants as an endorsement of any type of instruments or supplies mentioned or involved in these presentations.
• Procirca is an ABRET-accredited Intraoperative Neuromonitoring lab.
• Participation by all individuals is encouraged. Advance notification of any special needs will help us provide better service. Please notify us of your needs at least two weeks in advance of the program by calling 412-647-3450.

This program is presented by Procirca in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh  Department of Neurological Surgery and The Center for Clinical Neurophysiology.  It is endorsed by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).