Course Description

The course focuses on a practical approach to hemodynamic monitoring in the operating room and in the anesthesiology and intensive care unit – ranging from minimally invasive methods, through pulse contour analysis and transpulmonary thermodilution, to monitoring using the Swan-Ganz catheter and ultrasound-based hemodynamic assessment. The sessions combine a review of current literature, an accessible discussion of cardiovascular physiology and the pathophysiology of shock, analysis of advanced monitoring parameters, and discussion of real clinical cases.

Scientific Director:

Dr Agata Andrzejewska, MD, PhD – University Clinical Hospital No. 1, Pomeranian Medical University (PUM) in Szczecin; long-time lecturer at workshops on hemodynamic monitoring in Poland and across Europe.

Course Scope

• The role of hemodynamic monitoring in the operating room and intensive care unit: target patient populations, impact on decisions regarding fluid therapy, vasopressors, and inotropes.
• Overview of monitoring methods: non-invasive and minimally invasive monitoring based on pulse contour analysis, as well as calibrated techniques – transpulmonary thermodilution and pulmonary artery catheterization.
• Fundamentals of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in hemodynamic monitoring, with particular emphasis on diagnosis and management of shock.

Course Objectives

• To structure current scientific evidence regarding the use of various hemodynamic monitoring techniques in the ICU and operating room.
• To develop the ability to consciously select the appropriate monitoring method – minimally invasive, auto-calibrated pulse contour analysis, or calibrated techniques such as transpulmonary thermodilution or PAC – depending on the clinical situation and patient profile.
• To interpret advanced parameters (CO, SV, SVV/PPV, EVLW, preload and contractility assessment, etc.) and integrate data from multiple monitoring modalities to achieve comprehensive hemodynamic profiling.

Teaching Format

• Interactive lectures including key studies, guidelines, and ongoing controversies in hemodynamic monitoring.
• Practical stations focused on interpretation of hemodynamic monitor displays used in shock and circulatory instability.
• Hands-on ultrasound stations for point-of-care assessment in shocked patients – diagnosis, differential diagnosis, management, and scanning protocols.
• Case-based discussions from the operating room and ICU demonstrating how to integrate different monitoring techniques into real clinical decision-making algorithms.

Target Audience

The course is intended for residents and specialists in anesthesiology and intensive care, cardiology, and emergency medicine, as well as all healthcare professionals interested in deepening their practical skills in advanced hemodynamic monitoring and implementing them in daily clinical practice.

Course Program

Friday: 16:00–19:00 – Fundamentals and Clinical Framework

15:30–16:00 – Registration and welcome
16:00–16:20 – Opening, presentation of objectives, program overview

16:20–17:20 – Cardiovascular physiology: right and left heart
Cardiac output, Frank–Starling law, preload, afterload, PVR vs SVR.
Special role of the right heart: ventricular interaction, effects of ventilation, ARDS, pulmonary embolism.

17:20–17:30 – Coffee break

17:30–18:20 – Pathophysiology of shock and circulatory failure
Types of shock, hemodynamic profiles, therapeutic goals.
“Hemodynamic clinical questions”: hypovolemia? afterload? contractility? RV vs LV?

18:20–18:50 – Basics of pharmacotherapy in shock depending on monitoring

18:50–19:00 – Day 1 summary

Saturday

09:00–09:30 – Overview of monitoring techniques
From basic bedside parameters to advanced systems: PAC, TPTD, pulse contour.
Advantages, limitations, invasiveness, and typical indications.

09:30–10:20 – Introduction to PAC and TPTD/pulse contour data interpretation
Overview of key parameters: PA, PCWP, CO/CI, SvO₂, SVR, GEDV, EVLW, SVV/PPV.
Clinical case examples.

10:20–10:35 – Coffee break

10:35–11:30 – Fundamentals of ultrasound in hemodynamic monitoring
Cardiac ultrasound in hemodynamic assessment.
POCUS in diagnosis and management of shock.
Ultrasound protocols and treatment algorithms.

11:30–12:00 – Therapeutic decision-making algorithms
Interpretation and application of hemodynamic data in clinical management.
Treatment pathways.

12:00–12:45 – Lunch break

12:45–16:00 – Practical sessions

• Station 1 – Swan-Ganz catheter (PAC)
• Station 2 – Transpulmonary thermodilution + pulse contour analysis (PiCCO/EV1000 etc.)
• Station 3 – Ultrasound in hemodynamic monitoring

16:00–16:45 – Case-based summary: how to choose monitoring for a specific patient
Guidelines, international recommendations, and standards.
Case-based learning.

16:45–17:00 – Summary and certificate distribution