UW PULSE 2026: Advances in Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Cardiac Transplantation

Madison, WI US
September 19, 2026

This program provides a comprehensive overview of advanced heart failure across the full disease spectrum.

Learners will explore contemporary management of HFrEF, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and cardiac amyloidosis, followed by in-depth discussions on the recognition and treatment of cardiogenic shock.

The program will also cover patient selection, management, and outcomes for durable mechanical circulatory support with LVADs.

Finally, participants will learn current indications, evaluation processes, and post-transplant care strategies for heart transplantation, enabling them to apply evidence-based approaches to complex heart failure care.

Intended Audience

This activity is designed for cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses and other allied health personnel caring for patients with heart failure.

Elements of Competence

This CE activity has been designed to improve learner competence and focuses on the following competencies:

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education(ACGME)/Nursing and National Academy of Medicine(NAM)/Nursing

  • Medical knowledge.
  • Employ evidence-based practice

Interprofessional

  • Roles and responsibilities

Social Impact and Belonging

  • Addressing healthcare disparities

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, the healthcare team will be able to:

  1. Apply updated strategies for diagnosis and management of advanced heart failure, including HFrEF, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and cardiac amyloidosis.
  2. Recognize and manage cardiogenic shock promptly using guideline-directed therapies and escalation protocols.
  3. Optimize patient selection and care for LVAD and heart transplant therapies through evidence-based, multidisciplinary approaches.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 7.25 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 7.25 MOC: ABIM Medical Knowledge Points (Part II)
  • 7.25 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 7.25 ANCC Contact Hours
    • 0.00 ANCC Pharmacotherapy Contact Hours
  • 7.25 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 7.25 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration opens: 
03/18/2026
Course expires: 
11/03/2026
Event starts: 
09/19/2026 - 7:00am CDT
Event ends: 
09/19/2026 - 7:15pm CDT
Cost:
$150.00
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
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Saturday, September 19, 2026
All times listed are in Central Daylight Time (CDT) 

TimeTopicLocation 
7:00 AM Registration & BreakfastGrand Terrace
7:50 AMWelcome & Introduction - Veli Topkara, MDLecture Hall

Session I: Management of Heart Failure in 2026 - Moderator: TBD Panelists: TBD

8:00 AMGuideline Directed Medical Therapy and Remote Monitoring in HFREF - Evan Klein, MDLecture Hall 
8:20 AMCardiac Amyloidosis: Contemporary Diagnosis and Emerging Therapies - David Pham, MD
8:40 AMPulmonary Hypertension: A Practical Approach for Clinicians - Fahran Raza, MD
9:00 AMCase Presentation: "When Walls Tell a Story: A Case of Severe LVH" - TBD
9:20 AMPanel Discussion - Q & A 
9:45 AMBREAK: Refreshments & ExhibitsGrand Terrace

Session II: Cardiogenic Shock: From Recognition to Recovery - Moderator: Peter Marogil, DO Panelists: Robert Arrigo, MD, Yu Xia, MD, TBD

10:00 AMCardiogenic Shock: Definitions, Classification, and Clinical Phenotypes - Peter Marogil, DOLecture Hall 
10:20 AMRevascularization Strategies in High-Risk STEMI Cardiogenic Shock - TBD - Interventional Cariology
10:40 AMTemporary Mechanical Circulatory Support: Choosing the Right Device for the Right Patient - Yu Xia, MD
11:00 AMCase Presentation: "Stormy Heart: Navigating a Complex Shock Case" - TBD
11:20 AMPanel Discussion - Q & A
11:50 AMLunch & ExhibitsGrand Terrace

Session III: Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy: Selection, Surgery, Survival - Moderator: TBD Panelists: TBD

1:00 PMIdentifying Advanced Heart Failure: Hemodynamics, CPET, and Timing of Referral - David Murray, MDLecture Hall 
1:20 PMContemporary LVAD Therapy: Patient Selection and Outcomes - John Stulak, MD
1:40 PMNext-Generation Durable LVADs: Innovations in Mechanical Support - TBD
2:00 PMCase Presentation: "Heart at the Crossroads: Navigating LVAD Candidacy" - TBD
2:20 PMPanel Discussion - Q & A
2:45 PM BREAK: Refreshments & ExhibitsGrand Terrace

Session IV: Heart Transplantation - Moderator: TBD Panelists: TBD

3:00 PMArtificial Intelligence: Framing the Future of HF and Transplant Care - Veli Topkara, MD, MScLecture Hall 
3:20 PMCurrent State of Heart Transplantation in the US: Trends and Challenges - Maryl Johnson, MD
3:40 PMDonor Heart Preservation: DBD and DCD Strategies - Joshua Hermsen, MD
4:00 PMCardiac Zenotransplantation: Is the Future Within Reach? - TBD
4:20 PMInteractive Case Presentation: "Under the Radar: Molecular Monitoring of Cardiac Allograft" - TBD 
4:40 PMPanel Discussion - Q & A 
5:00 PMClosing Remarks Lecture Hall 

Dinner Reception: 5:15 - 7:15 PM

5:15 PMDinner & NetworkingGrand Terrace

 

Monona Terrace
1 John Nolen Dr
Madison, WI 53703
United States
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

This is a hybrid conference and will be held live in-person and via livestream (Central Time). Please see the program for further information.

Instructions for accessing the conference livestream will be provided to virtual attendees prior to the start of the activity. 

A block of rooms is available at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/heart-failure-summit/

You can also call Hilton reservations at 800-445-8667 or call the hotel directly at 608-255-5100 and reference the group code: 932

The cutoff to book inside the block is 

HILTON MADISON MONONA TERRACE
9 East Wilson St.  Madison WI 53703 
hiltonmadison.hilton.com

PARKING INFORMATION 
 

Planning Committee

Committee Members:

Taylor Abraham, Administrative Assistant III, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Ashley Bartlett, Continuing Education Program Manager, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
Adam Flyte, MS, Accreditation Specialist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Olivia Huber, PharmD, BCTXP, Clinical Pharmacist, Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant, UW Health
Peter Marogil, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
Farhan Raza, MD, Associate Professor (CHS), Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
Eric Rogers, PA, Physician Assistant-Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
Elyse Strycahrske, NP, Nurse Practitioner-Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
John Stulak, MD, Professor, K. Craig Kent, MD Surgery Chair in Strategic Leadership, Chair - Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
Veli Topkara, MD, MSc, Associate Professor, Medical Director of Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
Bethany Westerfeldt, NP, Nurse Practitioner-Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 

Conference Faculty

Robert Arrigo, MD, Associate Professor (CHS), Associate Fellowship Director: Adult Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Joshua Hermsen, MD, Associate Professor, Section of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Maryl Johnson, MD, Professor (CHS), Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Evan Klein, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Peter Marogil, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
David Murray, MD, Professor (CHS), Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Medical Director of Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant at the William S. Middleton Veteran's Memorial Hospital
David Pham, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Farhan Raza, MD, Associate Professor (CHS), Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
John Stulak, MD, Professor, K. Craig Kent, MD Surgery Chair in Strategic Leadership, Chair - Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 
Veli Topkara, MD, MSc, Associate Professor (CHS), Medical Director of Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Yu Xia, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Inter-professional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education (CE).  In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.  

For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.  

Name
Role
Financial Relationship Disclosures
Discussion of Unlabeled/Unapproved uses of drugs/devices in presentation?

*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation Statement

Joint Accreditation with Commendation Mark
In support of improving patient care, the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP 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.

Credit Designation Statements

 

American Medical Association (AMA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.25 ANCC contact hours, 

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum of 7.25 hours/.0725 CEUs of CPE credit. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion.

Universal Activity Number (UAN): TBD

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 7.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

American Board of Internal Medicine MOC Credit

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 7.25 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

 

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.725 continuing education units (CEUs) or 7.25 hours.

Available Credit

  • 7.25 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 7.25 MOC: ABIM Medical Knowledge Points (Part II)
  • 7.25 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 7.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 7.25 ANCC Contact Hours
    • 0.00 ANCC Pharmacotherapy Contact Hours
  • 7.25 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 7.25 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Check back periodically for an up-to-date list of exhibitors.

Exhibitors

BridgeBio

 

Cost:
$150.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Conference Fees

$150 physicians (MD/DO)
$75 pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, residents, fellows, other healthcare professionals

Reduced fees for UW-Madison, UWHealth, UnityPoint Health, SwedishAmerican & VA Employees:

  • $100 physicians (MD/DO) 
  • $50 pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners 
  • $25 nurses, residents, fellows, students, other healthcare professionals

The conference fee includes the cost of tuition. In-person attendee fees also include a continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshment breaks. Virtual attendee fees include access to the virtual platform.

Registration for this activity can only be completed through the ICEP Learning Portal. Attendee registrations made through any other sites cannot be honored. UW-Madison ICEP is not able to refund fees paid through unaffiliated registration sites, such as eMedEvents.com, MedConfWorld.com, EventEgg.com, and 10times.com. Please report any unauthorized websites or solicitations for registrations to [email protected].

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Cancellation requests received 96 hours before the activity start date will receive a full refund. No refunds will be made for cancellations received less than 96 hours prior to the activity start date.

Questions about Registration

Email [email protected]

Program Changes

Emergency situations occasionally occur and may necessitate topic or speaker changes. The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP reserves the right to alter or substitute a topic or speaker without prior notification.

Conference Materials

Conference materials will be posted on September 17, 2026. 

Accessibility

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodation for this event. Please contact [email protected] as soon as you can make a reasonable accommodation request.

 

Additional Information

For conference information or details regarding exhibit booths please contact Ashley Bartlett at [email protected]

Required Hardware/software

For virtual attendees: computer, tablet, or smartphone with audio sharing capabilities.