Level 2: Transition Course in Haemodynamics

Haemodynamics Pathway Directors:

Michelle CHEW MD, PhD Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Past Chair Cardiovascular Dynamics Section, ESICM

Antonio MESSINA MD, PhD ICU senior consultant, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center – IRCCS, Rozzano (Milano), Italy; Chair Cardiovascular Dynamics Section, ESICM

Directors:

 Jan BENES MD, PhD Professor and Head of the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine in Plzen Charles University Prague, Czech Republic

Jean-Louis TEBOUL MD, PhD Professor of Therapeutics and Critical Care Medicine, Paris-Saclay University Hospitals, Paris, France

Endorsement: The Course is endorsed by the Cardiovascular Dynamics Section, ESICM.

• • Understand the pathophysiology of acute LV and RV dysfunction, cardiogenic and septic shock, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiopulmonary interactions.

  • Interpret advanced haemodynamic monitoring data from PAC, TPTD, ultrasound and other modalities to assess cardiac function, congestion, perfusion and shock severity.

  • Evaluate tissue oxygen delivery and perfusion using ScvO₂, SvO₂, lactate and v-aCO₂ gap, recognising the limitations of individual markers and the loss of haemodynamic coherence.

  • Apply haemodynamic findings to guide fluid management, vasoactive therapy, decongestion and mechanical circulatory support.

  • Understand the effects of mechanical ventilation on cardiovascular function, particularly in RV failure and ARDS.

  • Integrate clinical findings, monitoring data and evidence-based guidelines to make individualised treatment decisions, recognise complications and optimise outcomes in critically ill patients.

1. 1. 1. Pulmonary Circulation

         • • • Determinants of pulmonary artery pressure

           
           

           • • Pulmonary circulation and acute right heart failure

           
           

           • Pathophysiology of acute pulmonary hypertension

         
         

   
   

   1. 1. Cardiac Function

         • • • Pathophysiology and determinants of acute left heart failure in ICU settings

           
           

           • • Pathophysiology of acute right heart failure

           
           

           • Systemic circulation and acute left heart failure

         
         

   
   

   1. 1. Haemodynamic Monitoring

         • • • Overview of appropriate methods for monitoring haemodynamics in the ICU

           
           

           • • Advanced haemodynamic monitoring using the pulmonary artery catheter

           
           

           • Advanced haemodynamic monitoring using the pulmonary artery catheter

         
         

   
   

   1. 1. Mechanical Ventilation and Heart-Lung Interactions

         • • • Heart-lung interactions during positive pressure ventilation

           
           

           • Mechanical ventilation–associated weaning failure of cardiac origin

         
         

   
   

   1. 1. Oxygen Delivery and Tissue Perfusion

         • • • Determinants of tissue oxygenation and oxygen extraction

           
           

           • Assessment of oxygen delivery and tissue oxygenation using SvO₂, vaCO₂ gap, and advanced technologies (e.g., sublingual videomicroscopy)

         
         

   
   

   1. Shock Management

      • • Use of vasopressors and inotropes in different types of shock (cardiac, distributive, obstructive, anaphylaxis)

      
      

• • • Intensivists who have completed Level 1 Part I and Part II

  
  

  • • Intensivists seeking a thorough approach in Haemodynamics

  
  

  • Senior intensivists wanting a comprehensive review course on the topic

ESICM members from the Emerging Nations and Eastern Europe (see list of countries here) are entitled to an discount on registration fees. To qualify, participants must be active ESICM members for the current year. To become a member, please see more information here.

The Transition Course in Haemodynamics, Virtual, Belgium 09/12/2026 – 10/12/2026, has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) with 13.5 European CME credits (ECMEC®s). Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.
Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME® credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Information on the process to convert EACCME® credit to AMA credit can be found at https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/applications .
Live educational activities, occurring outside of Canada, recognised by the UEMS-EACCME® for ECMEC®s are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

This year’s first edition of the Transition Course was attended by 80 participants from 31 countries who sought to deepen their knowledge of Haemodynamics. Here’s what they thought was the best part of the event:

• • • The participation of the experts, always available to answer our questions. And their presentations.

  
  

  • • Combining research with clinical practice, guidance on how to apply things practically in clinical practice.

  
  

  • • Great pre-course material available on the Academy platform.

  
  

  • • The experts and their spirit. This was very helpful to learn and be engaged throughout the whole course.

  
  

  • Useful talks, subjects were complementary, great hosts.

This year’s virtual edition saw a total of 14 experts and 100 participants from 37 countries immersed in haemodynamics thanks to the wide variety of interactive formats employed: from lectures and focus to interviews and clinical scenarios through 2D Virtual Reality.

• • • I wish I’d done this years ago!

  
  

  • • An amazing and really high-level Master Class

  
  

  • • A great honour to learn from you. Thank you very much for such amazing lectures.

  
  

  • Thank you so much for organising! ESICM is really an amazing source for intensivists all over the world.

Thanks to its incredible success, we held a second, virtual edition of the Haemodynamic Monitoring Master Class! A total of 14 experts and 78 participants from 26 countries engaged in this highly interactive course.

• • • Thanks to all professors and the organizers and all the participants for this amazing course

  
  

  • • Despite world time, I learnt a lot, that was so good to improve my knowledge about hemodynamics, thanks a lot

  
  

  • • Thank you so much for 3 great days!

  
  

  • Thanks to all, I learned a lot

Despite the uncertain context, the third edition of the Haemodynamic Monitoring Master Class has just wrapped up, this time virtually! A total of 11 experts and 83 participants from 25 countries engaged in interactive activities and case-based discussions. Here are some of their comments on this innovative educational format:

• • • It was an amazing Master Class with high-level of knowledge with top experts

  
  

  • • Thank you very much to all the excellent faculty and all participants, I learnt a lot.

  
  

  • • Excellent masterclass as always!

  
  

  • Thank you Master Speakers! Thank you all! Great experience!

The 2nd edition of the Haemodynamic Monitoring Master Class has just wrapped up. A total of 13 experts and 54 participants from 19 countries came together for 3 days at the ESICM Training Centre in Brussels. Here are some of their comments on what they liked best about their experience:

• • • Perfect balance between theoretical sessions and hands-on! Q&A with papers was very efficient because many people don’t like to speak.

  
  

  • • Everything went well. Excellent organisation and speakers, with great proximity between all the participants.

  
  

  • • Opportunity to learn very closely from world experts on haemodynamics. The structural progression from basic to advanced concepts.

  
  

  • • Experts bringing together physiology with evidence; motivated team; a combination of lecture, group work, hands-on

  
  

  • • The friendly, open environment to have different opinions and be respected. Talks about physiology and up to date clinical approaches !!! Great. The class was a big kick-off to make better step towards the clinical practice and treatment of seriously sick patients.

  
  

  • Its clinical relevance

The 1st edition of the Haemodynamic Monitoring Master Class has just wrapped up. A total of 14 experts and 51 participants from 22 countries came together for 2 days at the ESICM Training Centre in Brussels. Here are some of their comments on what they liked best about their experience:

• • • Personally I would have liked more time practicing with the echocardiography mannequin

  
  

  • • Excellent speakers!

  
  

  • • Practical simulation workshops with manikins and web-based interactive case scenarios

  
  

  • • Leading expert presence, Interactivity, Clinical cases discussions, Simulation scenarios

  
  

  • High degree of clinical applicability of the presented material