Heart Failure: Progression From Mild to Severe Advanced Heart Failure Requiring LVAD Transplant
Live Event

Heart Failure: Progression From Mild to Severe Advanced Heart Failure Requiring LVAD Transplant

Thu, Dec 18th, 2025
7:00pm – 9:00pm US Eastern Time
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About the Event

Rehabilitation therapy for patients requiring LVAD and Heart Transplant is a rapidly growing area of practice for therapists across the continuum of care. As medical device technology and transplantation techniques improve, more patients are able to be treated with advanced heart failure therapies. This growing population has unique rehabilitation needs, especially as patients who are more critically ill are able to receive these life-saving therapies, but have the impact of multiple surgeries, long length of stay, and longevity of illness.

Rehabilitation professionals who treat across the continuum of care should be aware of the considerations for patients who have heart failure and are either in preparation for or have received advanced heart failure treatment such as LVAD or Heart Transplant and the impact on body systems. Together, we'll review relevant lab values, medications, and potential challenges that therapists may be faced with while working with this population and provide tools to advocate for improved rehabilitation practice. Case studies will be reviewed and patient outcomes discussed to provide examples of rehabilitation interventions with lessons and considerations for therapists in all areas of practice.

Live Event
This live online event will be held as a Zoom Webinar. Attendees will have the option to interact through features such as the Chat and Q&A, but cameras and microphones will not be enabled.

Live Event Instructors

Katelyn Whitlock, PT, DPT, MEd, CCS

Katelyn Whitlock, PT, DPT, MEd, CCS

Katelyn Whitlock is a faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Brenau University. She is a Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist and currently practices as an physical therapist primarily in the CVICU. She currently serves as the co-chair of the PT in Critical Care Clinical Practice Guidelines committee. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Emory University in May 2018, followed by the completion of Emory’s Acute Care Residency in 2019. Prior to her DPT, she obtained both her bachelors and masters degrees in Exercise Physiology from the University of Virginia. She is passionate about ICU rehabilitation and outcomes especially for complex patient populations including mechanical circulatory support and ECMO. Dr. Whitlock is actively involved in research and has presented at local and national conferences on topics including ICU physical therapy, ECMO, advanced mechanical support, and COVID-19.

Katelyn Whitlock

Katelyn Whitlock

Katelyn Whitlock is a faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Brenau University. She is a Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist and currently practices as an physical therapist primarily in the CVICU. She currently serves as the co-chair of the PT in Critical Care Clinical Practice Guidelines committee. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Emory University in May 2018, followed by the completion of Emory’s Acute Care Residency in 2019. Prior to her DPT, she obtained both her bachelors and masters degrees in Exercise Physiology from the University of Virginia. She is passionate about ICU rehabilitation and outcomes especially for complex patient populations including mechanical circulatory support and ECMO. Dr. Whitlock is actively involved in research and has presented at local and national conferences on topics including ICU physical therapy, ECMO, advanced mechanical support, and COVID-19.

Target Audience

This live interactive webinar is intended for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, and Occupational Therapy Assistants. (PT, PTA, OT, COTA)

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Describe the etiology and pathology resulting in advanced heart failure in order to better understand the patient presentation.
  2. 2 Discuss pharmacological and medical imaging interventions that impact patient presentation and rehabilitation plan of care.
  3. 3 Describe medical management and treatment options for advanced heart failure.
  4. 4 Develop a rehabilitation plan of care for an advanced heart failure patient.

Eickmeyer, S. M., Barker, K. D., Sayyad, A., & Rydberg, L. (2018). The rehabilitation of advanced heart failure patients after left ventricular assist device: a narrative review. PM and R.

Kobayashi, K., Mutsuga, M., & Usui, A. (2022). Relationship between muscle strength and rehospitalization in ventricular assist device patients. Scientific reports, 12(1), 50.

Shimizu, M., Hiraiwa, H., Tanaka, S., Tsuchikawa, Y., Ito, R., Kazama, S., ... & Murohara, T. (2023). Cardiac Rehabilitation in Severe Heart Failure Patients with Impella 5.0 Support via the Subclavian Artery Approach Prior to Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 13(4), 630.

Haddad, T. M., Saurav, A., Smer, A., Azzouz, M. S., Akinapelli, A., Williams, M. A., & Alla, V. M. (2017). Cardiac rehabilitation in patients with left ventricular assist device: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention, 37(6), 390-396.

Schmidt, T., Bjarnason-Wehrens, B., Predel, H. G., & Reiss, N. (2021). Exercise after heart transplantation: typical alterations, diagnostics and interventions. International journal of sports medicine, 42(02), 103-111.

Drudi, L. M., Tat, J., Ades, M., Mata, J., Landry, T., MacKenzie, K. S., ... & Gill, H. L. (2019). Preoperative exercise rehabilitation in cardiac and vascular interventions. journal of surgical research, 237, 3-11.

Salzmann, S., Salzmann-Djufri, M., Wilhelm, M., & Euteneuer, F. (2020). Psychological preparation for cardiac surgery. Current cardiology reports, 22, 1-10.

McMahon, S. R., Ades, P. A., & Thompson, P. D. (2017). The role of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart disease. Trends in cardiovascular medicine, 27(6), 420-425.

Hoy, S., & Frisbee, J. (2018). Common postoperative heart transplant complications. Critical care nursing quarterly, 41(4), 383-388.

Giordanino, E. F. (2022). Heart Transplantation: Indications, Postoperative Management and Long-Term Outcomes. Nova Medicine and Health.

Bhagra, S. K., Pettit, S., & Parameshwar, J. (2018). Cardiac transplantation: indications, eligibility and current outcomes. Heart.

Kobashigawa, J., Luu, M., Sumbi, C. (2017). Evaluation for Heart Transplant Candidacy. In: Kobashigawa, J. (eds) Clinical Guide to Heart Transplantation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43773-6_3

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Faculty

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Creator

Katelyn Whitlock, PT, DPT, MSEd, CCS – None to report.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

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American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

0.2 CEU hours
Eligible until Jan 2nd, 2030
CE Learning Systems, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course activity approval ID# 14526. This Distance Learning–Interactive activity is offered at 0.02 CEUs, Intermediate, Service Delivery and Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
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Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC)

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 18th, 2025
CE Learning Systems is an accredited provider by the California Board of Physical Therapy. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
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Florida Board of Physical Therapy

2 CE credit hours CE Broker logo 20-1329680
Eligible until Dec 18th, 2025
CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the Florida Board of Physical Therapy to sponsor continuing education for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Accreditation of this course does not necessarily imply the FPTA supports the views of the presenter or the sponsors. CE Broker Provider Number 50-315. FLBPT Approval Number: 1329680
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Florida Board of Occupational Therapy (FBOT)

2 CE credit hours CE Broker logo 20-1329680
Eligible until Dec 18th, 2025
CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy to sponsor continuing education for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content. CE Broker Provider Number 50-315
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Michigan Board of Physical Therapy

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 18th, 2025
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (Provider # 50-315).
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New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (NJTPTE)

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Jan 31st, 2026
This activity has been approved by the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for credit hours for PTs and PTAs. Approval Number
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New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy

2 CE credit hours
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CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.
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New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy (NYSED BOT)

0.2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Nov 24th, 2030
CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.
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Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board - Physical Therapy (OTPTAT)

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 18th, 2026
This course is approved by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association for PTs and PTAs. OPTA approval number #####.
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Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 18th, 2025
This activity has been approved by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 2 CCUs for PTs and PTAs. APS # 2805075TX. Accreditation Period: 6/1/25-5/31/28
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Event Agenda

Agenda times are listed in US Eastern Time. That is 3 hours later than US Pacific Time. The event starts at 4:00pm US Pacific Time.

7:00 pm - 7:25 pm: Advanced Heart Failure Pathophysiology.

7:25 pm - 7:40 pm: Medical Management of Advanced Heart Failure.

7:40 pm - 7:55 pm: LVAD vs.Transplant

7:55 pm - 8:15 pm: Qualifications, Evaluation Process - PT/OT Impact

8:15 pm - 8:40 pm: PT and OT Implications and Treatment Strategies

8:40 pm - 8:50 pm: Heart Transplant and LVAD Case Discussion

8:50 pm - 9:00 pm: Review, Q&A

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