Multidisciplinary Aortic Dissection (MAD) Symposium OHSU Robertson Life Sciences Building | Portland, OR

History of MAD Symposium:

The MAD symposium was established in 2016-2017 as an effort co-sponsored by Oregon Health & Science University and the Knight Cardiovascular Institute and originated by the Director of the Aortic Program at Oregon Health & Science University, Dr. Cherrie Abraham. In the last 5-10 years, there has been no shortage of Vascular Surgery, Cardiothoracic, and Interventional Radiology meetings, and even aortic meetings have become more prevalent at local academic institutions. However, there are currently no regional or national meetings devoted to the subject of Aortic Dissection, and certainly no meetings that foster a multidisciplinary discussion of such a complicated topic. Aortic Dissection remains a black box where no obvious consensus exists on treating Type A or Type B aortic dissection.  Controversy surrounds the ideal method of treating patients with both open surgical and endovascular approaches.  Endovascular approaches can involve using larger profile devices such as aortic stent grafts, to smaller profile devices such as bare metal and covered stents, balloon angioplasty catheters, and endovascular occlusion devices.  Endovascular treatment of Aortic Dissection often requires use of sophisticated imaging modalities, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), as well as state of the art hybrid imaging suites.  Treatment of Aortic Dissection can often require “out of the box” thinking and methods such as the use of re-entry devices to cross from false to true lumen or vice versa as well as surgical hybrid operations combining open surgery (eg., Bentall procedures with endovascular frozen elephant trunk procedures).  New devices currently in clinical trials and devices nearing commercial approval status have the potential to change the paradigm of treatment of Aortic Dissection.  Review of past, present, and future research in this area is important for high level expert discussion and dissemination of this information to our attendees.  At least 1-2 of each of the major specialties of Interventional Radiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Vascular Surgery will be represented on our expert faculty invited guest list.  These will be individuals who are well known in their specialties nationally and globally as key opinion leaders in Aortic Dissection and all are known for their expertise in endovascular interventions within their respective fields.