Session Chair:
- Michael Loushin, Twin Cities Anesthesia Associates
Speaker:
- "Peri-Operative Echocardiography: Cases from Risk Stratification to Rescue Imaging"
Stephen Richardson, Twin Cities Anesthesia Associates - "Immersive Learning in Cardiac Anesthesia: VR TEE Simulation in Fellowship Training"
Benjamin Gorbaty, University of Minnesota - "How Intracardiac Echocardiography Guides EP Procedures: A Clinical Perspective"
Jorge Reyes, University of Minnesota Medical School
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Presentation Details
Stephen Richardson, MD
Cardiac Anesthesiologist
Twin Cities Anesthesia Associates
"Peri-Operative Echocardiography: Cases from Risk Stratification to Rescue Imaging"
Perioperative echocardiography has evolved from a specialized diagnostic tool into an essential, real-time extension of clinical assessment and decision support across surgical and critical care environments. Its applications now span preoperative risk stratification, intraoperative hemodynamic management, and emergent rescue imaging in critically unstable patients.
This case-based presentation discusses the use of transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) across diverse perioperative scenarios, including urgent preoperative evaluation, cardiac arrest, severe hypotension, hypoxia, and penetrating trauma. Emphasis is placed on how echocardiography refines diagnosis and directs time-sensitive interventions.
Device design considerations derived from real-world clinical constraints will be discussed including the need for immediate imaging availability, tolerance of incomplete data entry, single-operator usability, and integrated decision support. Opportunities for innovation are explored in areas such as automated measurements, guided image acquisition, and image analysis and interpretation.
Bio: Stephen Richardson, MD is a Cardiac Anesthesiologist with Twin Cities Anesthesia Associates (TCAA), where he practices primarily at Regions Hospital, a large community Level I Trauma Center and ECMO Center. He is actively involved in the education of anesthesiology residents and cardiothoracic anesthesia fellows.
Dr. Richardson’s academic interests include peri-operative echocardiography, crisis management, and the assessment of procedural skill acquisition in the operating room. His research has explored the use of eye-tracking technology to evaluate expertise development and decision-making in high-acuity clinical environments. He has also led the development of an FDA-approved emergency ventilator during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He previously served as an Assistant Professor and Cardiac Anesthesiologist in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Minnesota.
Benjamin Gorbaty, MD
Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology
University of Minnesota
"Immersive Learning in Cardiac Anesthesia: VR TEE Simulation in Fellowship Training"
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a core competency in cardiothoracic anesthesiology, yet training is often constrained by clinical demands and limited opportunities for deliberate practice. We developed a low-cost, high-fidelity virtual reality (VR)–based TEE simulator to enable repeatable practice of probe manipulation and standard image acquisition outside the operating room. The simulator emphasizes spatial orientation, hand–eye coordination, and a systematic approach to TEE image acquisition.
The VR simulator was integrated into our fellowship curriculum as an adjunct to clinical training using structured modules and supervised practice sessions. Fellows used the platform to rehearse standard views, address common manipulation errors, and reinforce organized image interpretation. In pilot implementation, fellows reported high satisfaction and increased confidence in TEE acquisition, with objective performance comparable to traditional lecture-based instruction.
VR-based TEE simulation represents a feasible, scalable, and cost-effective supplement to traditional training that may help standardize foundational skills and enhance preparation for clinical practice.
Bio: Benjamin Gorbaty, MD is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, the Academic and Clinical Director of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, and the Program Director of the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACTA) Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. His work focuses on advancing education, simulation, and clinical practice in adult cardiothoracic anesthesia, with particular expertise in perioperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
Jorge Reyes, MD, MS
Cardiovascular Division
Cardiac Arrhythmia Section
Department of Medicine
University of Minnesota Medical School
"How Intracardiac Echocardiography Guides EP Procedures: A Clinical Perspective"
Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has become an essential imaging modality in contemporary electrophysiology procedures, enhancing both procedural safety and efficacy. This talk will explore the expanding role of ICE across a broad spectrum of interventions, including atrial fibrillation ablation, transseptal puncture, left atrial appendage occlusion, ventricular tachycardia ablation, as well as additional diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Bio: Jorge L. Reyes, MD, MS is a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Cardiovascular Division, where he will join the faculty as Assistant Professor this summer. His research focuses on the neuroelectromechanics of the heart with applications in ventricular tachycardia and physiologic pacing. Dr. Reyes has developed novel cardiac monitoring technologies and holds patents in this area. He maintains active international collaborations in advanced cardiac electrophysiology and bridges clinical practice with medical device innovation.
Michael Loushin, MD (Session Chair)
Twin Cities Anesthesia Associates
Bio: Dr. Michael Loushin is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatric Anesthesiology. He has served as a medical director and executive leader across multiple healthcare institutions. He is the co-founder of Preceptis Medical, Inc.