• October 4-5, 2025
  • The Benson Hotel | Portland, OR
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Vascular Genetics Symposium

Inaugural Vascular Genetics Symposium

This symposium is focused on advancing knowledge and clinical skills related to genetic aortopathies, including Marfan Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS), and other hereditary conditions affecting the aorta and arterial system. It aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the biologic underpinnings, diagnostic strategies, surgical implications, and multidisciplinary management of these complex disorders.

In sum, this symposium equips vascular providers with the critical knowledge, skills, and multidisciplinary strategies necessary to deliver cutting-edge, personalized care to patients with inherited vascular diseases

How This Will Help Medical Professionals

  1. Enhance Diagnostic Accuracy
    • Clinicians will learn to recognize clinical phenotypes and understand diagnostic criteria for both syndromic and non-syndromic aortic diseases.
  2. Improve Interpretation of Genetic Testing
    • The symposium will provide tools to interpret genetic test results and apply them to surgical planning and long-term care.
  3. Inform Surgical and Medical Decision-Making
    • Participants will explore genotype-phenotype correlations and their influence on operative strategy, including root, arch, TAAA, and peripheral arterial repairs.
  4. Support Multidisciplinary Care
    • Emphasis on integrating genetics, pediatrics, obstetrics, and vascular surgery for holistic patient care, especially in special populations like pregnant patients and children.
  5. Promote Lifelong Learning and Collaboration
    • Through pre/post knowledge assessments, poster sessions, and networking opportunities, the symposium encourages research engagement and team-based care models.
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Agenda - Friday, October 3, 2025

TIME

LECTURE

FACULTY

7:00 – 7:45 AMCONTINENTAL BREAKFAST WITH THE EXHIBITORS

SESSION I – Foundations of Genetic Aortopathies

Moderator: Sherene Shalhub, MD, MPH

7:45 – 8:00 AMWELCOME & OPENING REMARKSSherene Shalhub, MD, MPH
8:00 – 9:00 AMBiology and natural history of Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and Smooth muscle cell aortopathiesLynn Sakai, PhD
9:00 – 9:45 AMBiology and natural history of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Slides)Peter Byers, MD
9:45 – 10:30 AMPanel discussion 
10:30 – 11:00 AMREFRESHMENT BREAK – VISIT EXHIBITS

SESSION II – Diagnosis of Genetic Aortopathies

Moderators: Peter Byers, MD & Wojciech Wiszniewski, MD, PhD

11:00 – 11:15 AMGenetic counseling and ordering genetic testing (Slides)Erika Jackson, MS, GCG
11:15 – 11:30 AMDiagnosing Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (Slides)Wojciech Wiszniewski, MD, PhD
11:30 – 11:45 AMDiagnosing Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Slides)Peter Byers, MD
11:45 AM – 12:15 PMInterpreting Genetic Testing results (Slides)Rodrigo Starosta, MD, PhD
12:15 – 12:30 PMChallenges and Opportunities in Expanding Genetic Testing in Vascular Surgery (Slides)Alaa Koleilat, PhD, MS
12:30 – 12:45 PMPanel discussion 
12:45 – 1:30 PMLUNCH BREAK – VISIT EXHIBIT HALL

SESSION III – Surgical management of genetic aortopathies

Moderators: Cherrie Abraham, MD & Peter Rossi, MD

1:30 – 1:45 PMGenotype-surgical phenotype and how this impacts surgical decision making (Slides)Sherene Shalhub, MD, MPH
1:45 – 2:00 PMSurgical Strategies for Aortic Root and Ascending Aorta Repair in Genetic Aortopathies (Slides)Castigliano Bhamidipati, DO, PhD, MSc
2:00 – 2:15 PMSurgical Strategies for Arch Repair in Genetic Aortopathies (Slides)Christopher Burke, MD (Presented by Sara Zettervall, MD, MPH)
2:15 – 2:30 PMSurgical Management of TAAA and AAA in Marfan Syndrome and Loeys Dietz syndrome (Slides)Cherrie Abraham, MD
2:30 – 2:45 PMSurgical Management in Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Slides)Sherene Shalhub, MD, MPH
2:45 – 3:00 PMTechnical considerations when using stent grafts in genetic aortopathy (Slides)Peter Rossi, MD
3:00 – 3:15 PMEmbolization in patients with genetic arteriopathy (Slides)Claire Kaufman, MD
3:15 – 3:30 PMPanel discussion 
3:30 – 3:45 PMREFRESHMENT BREAK – VISIT EXHIBITS

SESSION IV – Medical management & surveillance, Special populations

Moderators: Kathryn Holmes, MD, MPH & Lidija McGrath, MD

3:45 – 4:00 PMMedical management and surveillance in Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (Slides)Alan Braverman, MD
4:00 – 4:15 PMMedical management and surveillance in Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Slides)Alan Braverman, MD
4:15 – 4:30 PMPediatric Manifestations and Management of Genetic Aortopathies (Slides)Kathryn Holmes, MD, MPH
4:30 – 4:45 PMPreconception Planning and Peripartum Medical Management in Genetic Aortopathies (Slides)Lidija McGrath, MD
4:45 – 5:00 PMSurgical Management of Aortic and Vascular Complications in Pregnancy and Postpartum (Slides)Sara Zettervall, MD, MPH
5:00 – 5:30 PMPanel discussion 
5:30 PMPost test and Adjourn 

Leading Experts

Sherene Shalhub, MD, MPH

VGS Course Director
Portland, OR

Professor & Division Head, John Porter MD Endowed Professor in Vascular Surgery, OHSU

Cherrie Abraham, MD

Portland, OR

Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, School of Medicine, OHSU

Castigliano Bhamidipati, DO, PhD, MSc

Portland, OR

Associate Professor of Surgery, OHSU

Alan Braverman, MD

Saint Louis, MO

Professor, Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University

Christopher Burke, MD

Seattle, WA

Associate Program Director of the Multidisciplinary Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency, University of Washington

Peter Byers, MD

Seattle, WA

Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Kathryn Holmes, MD, MPH

Portland, OR

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology, School of Medicine, OHSU

Erika Jackson, MS, GCG

Portland, OR

OHSU

Claire Kaufman, MD

Portland, OR

Associate Professor of Interventional Radiology, School of Medicine, OHSU

Alaa Koleilat, MS, PhD

Portland, OR

Assistant Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, OHSU

Lidija McGrath, MD

Portland, OR

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, OHSU

Peter Rossi, MD

Milwaukee, WI

Professor and Chief, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin

Lynn Sakai, PhD

Portland, OR

Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the Shriners' Hospital for Children, OHSU

Rodrigo Starosta, MD, PhD

Portland, OR

Assistant Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, OHSU

Wojciech Wiszniewski, MD, PhD

Portland, OR

Associate Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, OHSU

Sara Zettervall, MD, MPH

Seattle, WA

Assistant Professor, University of Washington

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and Behind the Scenes. Amedco LLC 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.

Amedco Joint Accreditation #4008163.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity participants should be able to:

  • Explain the biological basis of genetic aortopathies, including Marfan Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and others. 
  • Recognize the clinical phenotypes and diagnostic criteria for syndromic and non-syndromic aortic disease. 
  • Interpret genetic testing results and incorporate the results into surgical planning, risk assessment, and long-term patient management. 
  • Assess the surveillance and management guidelines for syndromic and non-syndromic genetic aortopathies 
  • Discuss operative approaches for surgical management of genetic aortopathies and enhance understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations and their application to surgical planning and outcomes. 
  • Promote the integration of multidisciplinary approaches in managing genetic aortopathies. 

2025 Physicians (ACCME) Credit Designation

Amedco LLC designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • MAD Symposium: maximum of 8.00
  • Vascular Genetics Symposium: maximum of 8.25

2025 Physician Assistants Credit Designation

 The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification for PAs. 

Amedco LLC designates this live activity for a maximum of 16.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. PAs should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

  • MAD Symposium: maximum of 8.00
  • Vascular Genetics Symposium: maximum of 8.25

2025 Nurse Practitioners Credit Designation

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) recognizes the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as approved accreditors and allow reciprocity for AANPCP continuing education credit. 

  • MAD Symposium: maximum of 8.00
  • Vascular Genetics Symposium: maximum of 8.25

Multidisciplinary Aortic Dissection (MAD) Symposium

The Pulse of Progress in Aortic Dissection Care

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October 4-5, 2025
The Benson Hotel, Portland, OR

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This 1.5 day symposium features internationally recognized thought leaders on complex aortic disease.

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