The growing complexity, acuity, and severity of illness of patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) have significantly increased in the last decades. This is reflected by changes in admitting diagnoses, non-cardiovascular complications, and patient co-morbidities. Such changes have necessitated a shift in the approach to treating patients admitted to the contemporary CICU, highlighting the importance of a cardiovascular specialist with a comprehensive understanding of critical care medicine. This second annual course will provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-art approach to the management of patients with acute cardiovascular conditions who are managed in the contemporary tertiary CICU. This will include a number of topics such as cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, acute arrhythmias, acute aortic syndromes, pregnancy in the CICU, right ventricular shock, research in critical care cardiology (CCC), end-of-life issues, and valvular heart disease, in addition to frequently encountered non-cardiovascular conditions complicating care of the patient with cardiovascular disease. Similarly, it will provide a practical overview of the team-based multidisciplinary aspects of CCC that are key for the optimal delivery of care.

With the growing complexity of patients admitted to the CICU, this course will help fill a clear knowledge gap that will bolster the clinician's diagnostic and treatment approach. It will provide evidence-based practical recommendations for the management of these patients in the form of didactic lectures, pro/con debates, and round tables by world-renowned experts in the field. This year will include an innovative master class session where participants will learn practical tips from CCC experts as well as novel breakout sessions including a new international panel about CCC around the world.