Work

Mechanical Circulatory Support Management: A Current Knowledge Deficit in Critical Care Trainees

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Despite an increase in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device usage over the past decade, educational material about MCS management for critical-care trainees remains scarce. Current educational models rely largely on clinical immersion or scheduled didactics, where trainees are exposed to complex physiology but lack adequate retrieval practice. This study evaluates the efficacy of an online, asynchronous curriculum concerning knowledge acquisition about MCS devices. Methods This study was a prospective, single-center study ranging from December 2023–January 2024 to assess the knowledge of critical-care trainees pre- and post-curriculum. Online case-based modules for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), veno-arterial ECMO, and both percutaneous and durable left ventricular assist devices were developed using the Canvas Instructure Learning Platform (Salt Lake City, UT). Module content, baseline assessment, and postcurriculum assessments were validated by cardiothoracic critical-care and medical-education experts. Results Of the trainees, 59 participated in the curriculum, and 30 completed it in its entirety. Trainees with prior clinical experience had increased overall baseline knowledge ( P = .03); however, they did not show a significant difference in subject-specific management of veno-arterial ECMO and durable left ventricular assist devices. Participation in the curriculum resulted in significant improvement in overall knowledge of MCS ( P < .01), particularly in knowledge acquisition of the management of percutaneous left ventricular assist devices ( P < .01) and durable left ventricular assist devices ( P = .02). Conclusion An online, asynchronous curriculum for MCS is a feasible training platform for critical-care trainees. Future studies assessing participants' clinical performances after curriculum completion are necessary to evaluate the magnitude and learning transfer of this initiative.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Intersections

DOI: 10.1016/j.yjcafi.2025.10.004

Authors: SHAN P. MODI, BARINDER S. HANSRA, TIMOTHY B. KASELITZ, JASON E. MOORE

Institutions: Allegheny Health Network, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh

Language: English

Topic: Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,150