Penn Medicine presenters at the ISHLT 2024 In Prague

Leading experts in lung and heart transplant from Penn Medicine will converge in Prague from April 10-13 for ISHLT’s annual conference. Connecting with peers from around the world, Penn experts will delve into the latest in advanced heart and lung disease and transplantation. “I'm thrilled to see so many of our experts participating in this global event, eager to share their knowledge and collaborate with colleagues from around the world. It's truly an exciting opportunity for us to contribute to the advancement of our field on an international stage," said Jason Christie, MD, MS, Chief of Penn’s Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care division, current President of the ISHLT. "ISHLT2024 promises to be an unparalleled gathering of minds in the field of heart and lung transplantation.”

Presentations and Penn presenters at ISHLT2024

Below are some of the topics being presented by Penn experts this year:

ISHLT president’s report

Jason Christie, MD, MS, chief of Penn’s Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care division
April 10, 2024, 8:13 a.m. - 8:33 a.m. in Congress Hall

Christie will detail the groundbreaking advancements in heart and lung transplantation over the past year, and highlight the pivotal role of the ISHLT in driving innovation across research, clinical care, and education. Christie announced formation of a new strategic investment fund, highlight cutting-edge research grants totaling over $1 million from the newly formed ISHLT Foundation. He will detail how new task forces are tackling pressing issues such as Normothermic Regional Perfusion, special issues in pediatric to adult transition in transplant and advanced devices for heart and lung failure, and equity in access to transplant and mechanical circulatory support therapies across the world.

Through new eyes: computer vision applied to heart and lung biopsies

Eliot Peyster, MD, MSc, assistant professor of Cardiovascular Medicine
April 10, 2024, 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in Panorama Hall

Peyster will review the value of computer vision/machine learning as applied to endomyocardial and lung biopsy slides. The opportunities and challenges of applying machine learning image-based tools to clinical practice will be covered.

DEBATE: composite allocation score—we’ve never been better, CAS is the best

Edward Cantu, MD, MSCE, professor of Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
April 10, 2024, 1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in South Hall 1

Cantu will argue in favor of the newly implemented composite allocation score (CAS) in lung transplantation, focusing on the improvements over the LAS system, particularly in relation to reducing waiting list mortality and described how the composite score structure is well suited to continuing improvement.

Regional systems of care in cardiogenic shock can improve outcomes: Penn Medicine Shock Team and community relationships

Joyce Wald, DO, professor of Cardiovascular Medicine
April 10, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in Poster Hall

Patients with cardiogenic shock often face poor outcomes, but a multidisciplinary approach to their care can lead to early deployment of advanced treatments, potentially improving results. The Penn Medicine Shock Team, established in 2019, emphasizes bidirectional communication with community partners, resulting in strong relationships and increased referrals.

Quantifying body composition in lung transplantation: Is BMI the best we can do?

Michael Anderson, MD, assistant professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care
April 12, 2024, 8:39 a.m. - 8:51 a.m. in Congress Hall

Obesity increases the risk of PGD and death after lung transplantation, while weight loss may improve post-transplant survival. Anderson will review the data supporting use of BMI in candidate selection, and discuss alternative measures of body composition-related risk in lung transplant candidates. Anderson will also discuss some of the physiology/biological mechanisms of obesity and how it links to inflammation.

The effect of donor distance on post-transplant mortality

David Rekhtman, medical student at the Perelman School of Medicine
April 12, 2024, 3:30 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. in Congress Hall

Rekhtman compares post-transplantation mortality based on distance between donor and transplant centers. In the new U.S. heart transplant allocation system, certain patients are eligible to receive hearts at donor distances exceeding a 250 mile radius. Little has been reported regarding the safety of long-distance travel and its impact on ischemic time.

Lung transplant graft outcomes from organs recovered in independent versus hospital-based donor care units

Emily Vail, MD, MDc, assistant professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care
April 12, 2024, 5:06 p.m.-5:10 p.m. in Panorama Hall

In the United States, deceased organ donors may be managed in one of two types of donor care units (DCUs) for organ recovery: independent or hospital-based. Donation and transplantation outcomes have not been compared between these types, which may differ in staffing, resources, or management processes. Vail and a team of researchers hypothesized.