143 - ADVANCE CARE PLANNING IN CARDIOVASCULAR CARE

Thursday, October 23, 2025

2:00pm - 3:00pm ET

Room:207

Target Audience: General: All cardiovascular (clinical and research) health professionals

Co-Chair(s)

CM

Caroline McGuinty, MD

Cardiologist
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
University of Ottawa
James Tam, MD FRCPC (he/him/his)

Cardiologist
University of Manitoba

Presenter(s)

MS

Markus Schwerzmann, MD FESC

University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Kayla Wolofsky, MD (she/her/hers)

Physician
University Health Network-Toronto General Hospital
University of Toronto

Moderator(s)

MS

Markus Schwerzmann, MD FESC

University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Planning Committee Member(s)

JF

John Fulop, MD
KH

Karen Ho (she/her/hers)

Adults with Congenital Heart Disease Fellow
University of Alberta
CM

Caroline McGuinty, MD

Cardiologist
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
University of Ottawa
MS

Markus Schwerzmann, MD FESC

University of Ottawa Heart Institute
James Tam, MD FRCPC (he/him/his)

Cardiologist
University of Manitoba
Kayla Wolofsky, MD (she/her/hers)

Physician
University Health Network-Toronto General Hospital
University of Toronto

Workshop Description: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide; however advanced care planning and palliative care are underused in cardiovascular patients across multiple areas (e.g., heart failure, refractory ischemic heart disease, adult congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias). Advance care planning can be integrated into routine cardiovascular care and is a first step in addressing patients’ preferences and values as guidance for future treatment decisions. This workshop provides a summary of key elements and benefits of advance care planning for all cardiovascular patients. We address questions about which cardiovascular patients are most at need for advance care planning, across multiple cardiovascular subdisciplines, and offer a practical guide on how to talk to patients and frame goals- of- care discussions. Most importantly, the workshop will give clinicians the opportunity to hear the patients’ perspective on advance care planning firsthand, allowing participants to make up their own minds about the importance of ACP in patient care.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session participants will be able to:

describe the key elements and benefits of advance care planning in patients with cardiovascular disease;
identify cardiovascular patients who are most in need of advance care planning; and
demonstrate basic communication skills and list the elements needed for a successful goals - of- care discussion.