Education and training programs provide a comprehensive set of opportunities tailored to surgeons, electrophysiologists, advanced practice providers, anesthesia providers, and multidisciplinary care teams. Building on the fundamentals of the Cox-Maze IV procedure and advancing innovative approaches such as the first FDA approved minimally invasive Hybrid AF™ Therapy for long-standing persistent (LSP) atrial fibrillation (Afib), these courses focus on the rationale, efficiency, and efficacy of performing complex arrhythmia surgeries. Each program combine didactic learning, case-based discussions, and hands-on training led by highly experienced surgeons and healthcare professionals, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer exchange. Dedicated offerings also address pain management strategies in thoracic surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgeries, and pectus repair – equipping teams with multimodal approaches to enhance recovery and improve patient experience. Programs span a wide range of focus areas, ensuring participants gain practical skills, evidence-based insights, and program-building tools to expand their clinical practice.
This course is the first and ONLY training course to focus on the concomitant surgical treatment for persistent and long-standing persistent (LSP) Afib. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Heart Rhythm Society have both endorsed AtriCure’s Advanced Ablation Course in the United States. These courses are for physicians that would like to expand their expertise in being Arrhythmia Treatment (ART) surgeons.
During the program, physicians will review:
- Contemporary Data and why patients should be treated
- Classification of Afib and identification of appropriate patients
- Epidemiology and Economics of Afib
- Surgical Treatment of Concomitant Afib
- Treatment of Stand-Alone LSP Afib
- Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion
- Pain Management
- Cardiac Surgeons
- Advanced Practice Providers (APPs)
- Administrators
- Fellows and accompanying physician team
- Nurses
Course Offerings
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The Advanced Hybrid Ablation Course builds on the reported positive results of Hybrid AF™ Convergent Therapy procedures and the recent FDA approval of the EPi-Sense® coagulation System for long-standing persistent (LSP) atrial fibrillation (Afib) patients. This program focuses on the rationale, efficiency, and efficacy of performing hybrid ablation therapy.
- Contemporary overview of Afib
- Afib pathogenesis
- Evolution of ablation strategies
- Patient identification
- Collaborative approaches between cardiac surgery and electrophysiologist (EP)
This course is delivered by a qualified faculty of EPs and cardiac surgeons, many of whom
were active in the CONVERGE IDE trial. Attendee interaction and group discussion is
encouraged especially the sharing of anecdotal experience and observations. This program is
designed for EPs, cardiac surgeons and advanced practice providers (APPs) interested in the
collaborative hybrid approach to treating LSP Afib patients.
After this program, healthcare professionals (HCPs) should feel more comfortable in
identifying patients with LSP Afib and with contemporary approaches and treatment
strategies.
- EPs
- APPs
- Cardiac Surgeons
- Fellows
- Accompanying physician team
- Nurses and administrators
Course Offerings
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Effective post-operative pain management is a critical component of surgical care and patient recovery. This course provides a multidisciplinary perspective on current standards and evolving strategies in perioperative pain control. Participants will review the sources and burden of surgical pain, examine multimodal approaches for optimizing outcomes, and discuss the role of Cryo Nerve Block Therapy (cryoNB) as an intraoperative strategy that supports post-operative pain relief. Through this program, attendees will gain practical insights into evidence-based techniques and team-based strategies to enhance recovery, improve patient experience, and reduce reliance on opioids.
- Thoracic Surgeons
- Anesthesia Providers
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Nursing Staff
- Pain Management Team
- Review the sources and clinical impact of post-operative pain across a range of surgical procedures.
- Explore multimodal strategies that support effective pain control and patient recovery.
- Describe the mechanism and intraoperative role of cryoNB therapy in post-operative pain management.
- Identify surgical specialties and scenarios where cryoNB may add value as part of a multimodal approach.
- Discuss how collaboration among multidisciplinary team members enhances patient-centered pain management.
- Recognize opportunities for innovative perioperative strategies to improve outcomes and reduce opioid reliance.
Course Offerings:
This course is specifically designed for advanced practice providers looking for a deeper understanding of the deleterious effects of atrial fibrillation and the benefits of sinus rhythm, left atrial appendage management and pain management techniques for patients. The courses provide data driven ablation treatment options, preoperative screening techniques, and pain management strategies.
- Cardiac and EP APP’s who work in the OR
- Clinic
- Post-operative setting
- Left atrial appendage
- Concomitant surgical ablation strategies
- Hybrid ablation techniques
- Patient selection
- Enhanced recovery
Course Offerings:
This program is designed for a multi-disciplinary group of healthcare providers: cardiac surgeons, thoracic surgeons, electrophysiologists, APP’s, nurses, and cardiologists. The course focuses on the importance and benefit of sinus rhythm for Afib patients, the importance of managing the left atrial appendage, multimodal pain management strategies, case cadencing, and how to build a robust Afib Program. The course offers multiple pathways, tracks and hands-on training for healthcare providers interested in different treatment strategies for subsets of patients to include, but not limited to program building, hybrid and surgical ablation procedures, and perioperative treatment strategies.
- Cardiac surgeons
- Thoracic Surgeons
- APPs
- Nurses
- Cardiologists
- Left Atrial Appendage Management
- Preoperative screening techniques
- Perioperative treatment options
- Concomitant ablation strategies
- Hybrid ablation options and patient selection
- Building a program
Course Offerings:
This program is designed for fellows and early career cardiothoracic surgeons who are in their final years of training or have been in practice for up to 5 years. The course provides a focused, practical foundation for incorporating the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation into clinical practices. Through case-based learning, expert discussions and program-building insights, participants will examine strategies for achieving sinus rhythm, recognizing its central role in optimizing patient outcomes. Additional topics include surgical approaches to the left atrial appendage, intraoperative pain management, and clinical decision-making pertaining to the risks and benefits of surgical ablation.
- Residents
- Fellows
- Attending Surgeons who are looking to incorporate Afib treatment
- Recognize the essential role of achieving and maintaining sinus rhythm in optimizing outcomes for Afib patients.
- Evaluate surgical Afib ablation strategies and patient selection considerations.
- Assess the role of the left atrial appendage in stroke prevention and long-term outcomes.
- Apply intraoperative pain management strategies to support recovery and enhance patient experience.
- Weigh the risks and benefits of surgical ablation across diverse patient populations.
- Identify key steps to build and sustain a surgical Afib program, including case cadencing and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Course Offerings:
This course gives physicians a comprehensive learning experience focused on the pre, intra, and post-operative workflow for patients undergoing pectus repair. The training provides the opportunity to review procedural tips and tricks, complex cases, Cryo Nerve Block Therapy (cryoNB), and multimodal best practices. This course includes both didactic and a hands-on cadaver lab led by highly experienced pectus surgeons.
The course in February is a comprehensive learning experience focused on the pre, intra, and post-operative workflow for pediatric patients undergoing the Nuss procedure.
- Pediatric surgeons
- Thoracic Surgeons
- Anesthesiologists
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Nursing Staff
- Pain Management Team
- Starting a pectus program: clinic visit, testing, expectation setting, insurance peer reviews, and patient selection
- Pre, intra, and post-operative best practices
- Science behind cryoNB, procedural steps, tips and tricks, and what to expect for patients
- Post-procedure FAQ for families
- Hands-on cadaver lab; review of entire Nuss procedure
Course Offerings:
Health Care Providers can also access on-line educational modules that are accredited and offer continuing medical education credits and contact hours.
These can be accessed by following this link:
