Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiovascular Symposium: Cardiovascular Disease from Prevention to Intervention

D7105

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Submit Abstracts

We invite you to submit an abstract for presentation at Heart & Vascular Institute Cardiovascular Symposium on Friday, May 08, 2026.

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the US. This is due to the lack of adequate therapeutics that can target underlying disease mechanisms and stop disease progression. Due to this, it is being increasingly recognized by the physicians, learners and community partners that, in addition to therapy, prevention (to stop disease progression) is critical to control progression of CVDs in patients. However, lack of understanding and unavailability of universally accepted standard practices hamper adequate realization of these goals in a clinical setting. This symposium will bring together a group of physicians, practitioners and basic science researchers to discuss new inflammatory and immunological molecular mechanisms of CVDs and the role of preventive therapies in synergizing existing therapeutics to stop disease progression and promote patient well-being.

Physicians, Advanced Practice Clinicians, Nurses and Basic Science Researchers may benefit from attending this activity.

• 8 a.m. | Registration / Poster Setup / Continental Breakfast
• 9 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks
  Symposium Committee

Session 1: Prevention – Clinical and Basic Science/Translational

• 9:20 a.m. | Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment: An Update
  Matthew Nudy, MD

  Objectives

  • Describe contemporary principles of ASCVD risk assessment and how risk assessment informs preventive therapy intensity.
  • Apply the PREVENT equation and identify key differences with older risk models.
  • Identify major ASCVD “risk enhancers,” including those specific to women.
  • Integrate coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and other newer strategies into a patient-centered decision framework.
• 9:40 a.m. | Advancing Cholesterol Treatment: Emerging Therapies for LDL Lowering
  Michael Farbaniec, MD

  Objectives

  • Describe the mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, inclisiran, bempedoic acid, ANGPTL3 inhibitors, and CETP inhibitors.
  • Explore the evidence from cardiovascular disease outcomes trials supporting the use of emerging lipid lowering therapies.
  • Apply the current guidelines to managing LDL-C goals and choosing the appropriate therapies.
• 10 a.m. | Obesity and the Heart: The Journey from Lifestyle to Incretins, and the Challenges That Follow
  Taraneh Soleymani, MD

  Objectives

  • Evaluate the cardiovascular outcomes of lifestyle modification in obesity and define its role in the modern era of GLP 1 and GLP 1/GIP therapies.
  • Examine the cardiovascular, heart failure, and mortality evidence for GLP 1 and GLP 1/GIP agonists across randomized trials.
  • Assess real world challenges that affect implementation and long term cardiometabolic benefit of GLP 1 and GLP 1/GIP therapies.
• 10:20 a.m. | Heating as a Novel Strategy to Modulate Hemodynamic and Sympathetic Responses to Exercise in Peripheral Artery Disease
  Takuto Hamaoka, MD, PhD

  Objectives

  • Describe the mechanism of abnormal hemodynamic and sympathetic responses to exercise (exercise pressor reflex) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
  • Explain effect of chronic (repeated) heating on exercise pressor reflex in patients with PAD.
  • List effect of acute heating on exercise pressor reflex in patients with PAD.
• 10:40 a.m. | Break / Visit Exhibitors / View Posters

Session 2: Selected Trainee Presentations

• 11 a.m. | To Be Determined
• Noon | Lunch / Visit Exhibitors / View Posters
• 1 p.m. | Keynote Presentation: Pacing the Heart with Genes and Cells
  Hee Cheol Cho, PhD

  Objectives

  • Outline the strengths and problems of traditional pacemakers in pediatrics and congenital heart disease.
  • Explain how an investigational gene therapy biological pacemaker creates natural, rate responsive rhythm.
  • Recognize early clinical situations for potential use as a bridge-to-device therapy.
• 2 p.m. | Break / Visit Exhibitors / View Posters

Session 3: Intervention – Clinical and Basic Science

• 2:50 p.m. | Coronary High-Risk and CTO PCI: Techniques, Technologies, Patient Selection and Outcomes
  Rhian Davies, DO, MS, FACC, FSCAI

  Objectives

  • Describe contemporary approaches to High-Risk and CTO intervention.
  • Discuss cutting-edge tools and techniques.
  • Identify patient and lesion factors for optimal outcomes.
  • Explain when to refer and anticipate outcomes.
• 3:10 p.m. | A Line in the Sand: The New Era of Treatment of Carotid Disease and Aortic Aneurysmal Disease
  Tarik Ali, MD

  Objectives

  • Describe the clinical rationale and patient selection criteria for Trans Carotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) in the management of carotid artery stenosis.
  • Compare TCAR with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and transfemoral carotid stenting, including differences in procedural technique, neuroprotection strategies, perioperative risk, and outcomes.
  • Explain the design principles and technical considerations of TA.M.BE (Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis) for endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.
  • Evaluate current evidence and outcomes data supporting TCAR and TAMBE and identify appropriate clinical scenarios where these technologies may replace or redefine traditional open surgical approaches.
• 3:30 p.m. | Robotic Cardiac Surgery at Penn State Health
  Jonathan Tomasko, MD

  Objectives

  • Describe the differences between robotic cardiac bypass surgery and open bypass surgery.
  • List the possible classes of candidates for robotic-assisted cardiac surgery.
  • Explain the sequence of events for a hybrid approach to coronary revascularization with
    respect to surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention.
  • Discuss future directions for valvular and intracardiac robotic-assisted surgery.
• 3:50 p.m. | Advancing Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support: From Engineering Innovation to Clinical Impact
  Choon-Sik Jhun, MS, PhD

  Objectives

  • Describe the unmet need for dedicated pediatric mechanical circulatory support systems.
  • Explain the key hemocompatibility challenges associated with continuous-flow VADs.
  • Recognize how device design influences bleeding and thrombotic complications.
  • Discuss future directions for pediatric device innovation and institutional leadership.
• 4:10 p.m. | Awards for Oral and Poster Presentations
• 4:25 p.m. | Closing Remarks
  Shyam Bansal, MS, PhD, MS
• 4:30 p.m. | Adjournment
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Networking Reception with Hors d’oeuvres

Shyam Bansal, MS, PhD, MS
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Biological Systems
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Gerd Brunner, PhD, MSc
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Biological Systems
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Michael Farbaniec, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Allana Langley, MSN
Heart Failure Manager
Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Brandon Peterson, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Tarik Ali, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Hee Cheol Cho, PhD
Associate Professor, Departments of Surgery, Pediatrics, Biomedical Engineering
Director of Research
Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center

Rhian Davies, DO, MS, FACC, FSCAI
Systems Director, Interventional Cardiology
Director, Complex Coronary
WellSpan Health, York Hospital

Michael Farbaniec, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Takuto Hamaoka, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Choon-Sik Jhun, MS, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
Division of Applied Biomedical Engineering
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Matthew Nudy, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences
Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Taraneh Soleymani, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of General Internal Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Jonathan Tomasko, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

AMA

Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The fee is $100 per person and includes the cost of instruction, listed meals and online handout materials.

Trainee fee (includes students, residents, fellows): $50 per person.

To receive the reduced rate, email verification of trainee status to ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Payment is required at the time of registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Registrations received after Thursday, May 7, will incur a $25 late fee.

Cancellations received after Friday, May 1, will be assessed a $25 processing fee.

No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Tuesday, May 5.

Accommodations are the responsibility of the program participant. A list of Hershey area lodging is available upon request or online.

Join us in Hershey

Hershey is conveniently located in central Pennsylvania, just 90 minutes from Baltimore and Philadelphia, two hours from Washington, D.C., and three hours from New York City.

• Harrisburg-Area Attractions
• Hershey Attractions
• Tanger Outlets in Hershey
• Historic Gettysburg
• Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish Country

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Content and speakers for all programs are subject to change. Registrants will be notified of any significant updates.

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