166 - TALES & MYSTERIES FROM THE CATH LAB

Co-Chair(s)

• 

  Debraj Das, MD MSc FRCPC FACC DRCPSC (he/him/his)

  Interventional Cardiologist
  Royal Alexandra Hospital
  Royal Alexandra Hospital & CK Hui Heart Centre
• 

  Chloe Laferriere, MD FRCPC

  Interventional Cardiology fellow
  University of Alberta, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and CK Hui Heart Center
  University of Alberta, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and CK Hui Heart Center

Presenter(s)

• 

  Brian Potter, MDCM SM

  Interventional cardiologist
  Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
  Université de Montréal
• ES

  Erick Schampaert, MD

  Head, Division of Cardiology, Professor of Medicine, University of Montreality
  Hôpital Sacré-Coeur de Montreal, CIUSSS NIM / Université de Montréal
  University ofMontreal

Early Career(s)

• 

  Robert Kay, MD

  Interventional Cardiology Fellow
  University of Alberta

Trainee(s)

• CD

  Chelsea Doktorchik, MD
• 

  Robert Kay, MD

  Interventional Cardiology Fellow
  University of Alberta

Moderator(s)

• 

  Andrea Lavoie, MD FRCPC FACC

  Assistant professor University of Saskatchewan
  CAIC
  University of Saskatchewan
• 

  Mina Madan, MD, MHS, FRCPC

  Interventional Cardiologist
  Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  University of Toronto

Planning Committee Member(s)

• BC

  Brian Courtney, MD

  Cardiology Staff, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; CEO Conavi Medical
  Physician
  Physician
• 

  Janine Eckstein, MD FRCPC

  Assistant Professor
  University of Saskatchewan
  University of Saskatchewan
• 

  Mina Madan, MD, MHS, FRCPC

  Interventional Cardiologist
  Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  University of Toronto
• 

  Olga Toleva, MD (she/her/hers)

  Interventional Cardiologist, Lead of Complex Coronary Physiology Program
  CAIC
• BT

  Benjamin Tyrrell, MD, FRCPC

  Interventional Cardiologist
  CK Hui Heart Centre / Edmonton Cardiology Consultants

Workshop Description: The Tales & Mysteries from the Cath Lab session returns to CCC 2025 with timely and clinically relevant content spanning both coronary and structural cardiology. This dual-focus workshop is designed to engage general cardiologists, heart failure specialists, imagers, and interventionalists alike.

The first session will explore the growing role of angiography-derived physiology tools in assessing the functional relevance of intermediate coronary stenoses. As adoption expands, critical questions remain: How do these technologies compare to established wire-based tools such as FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) and iFR (Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio)? In what clinical scenarios do angiography-based approaches offer meaningful advantages? With a focus on real-world integration, this session will address key considerations such as procedural efficiency, cost, and complexity. Emerging evidence and illustrative case examples will guide participants through how and when to incorporate these tools into clinical workflows, with discussion on their implications for revascularization decision-making and long-term outcomes.

The second session highlights inter-atrial shunt therapy as a promising strategy in patients with heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF/HFmrEF). Despite optimal medical therapy, elevated filling pressures remain a challenge in this population. Shunt devices aim to offload left atrial pressure and improve symptoms. Anchored by data from the RELIEVE-HF trial, this session will provide insight into safety, efficacy, and ideal patient selection. Procedural considerations and hemodynamic endpoints will be reviewed, and case-based discussions will illustrate practical scenarios where this therapy may offer incremental benefit. Considerations of durability, patient profiling, and integration into heart failure care pathways will also be addressed.

Led by expert faculty in coronary and structural interventions, the session will feature a dynamic workshop format with ample time for Q&A, panel discussion, and debate. A diverse planning committee will be present throughout to provide additional insights and foster cross-disciplinary dialogue. Tales & Mysteries from the Cath Lab remains a highly anticipated, thought-provoking session that challenges current practice and continues to engage Canada’s cardiovascular community.