Program
The Curse of the Failing Fontan
May 27, 2022 from 2:05pm PDT to 2:35pm PDT
Adult congenital heart disease is a growing epidemic in our medical system. Over the last 10 to 15 years, hospitalization for worsening heart failure of the adult congenital population has doubled. Although these patients have had surgical intervention including Fontan to correct cardiac abnormalities early in their life; this leads to multi-system effects on their circulation with eventual decompensation including failing Fontan, Fontan Associated Liver Disease (FALD) and lung diseases. Despite this, patients are now surviving into their 30’s and 40’s and in doing so, develop advanced heart failure symptoms that are needing optimization and intervention through the advanced heart failure clinic. Case studies will be presented on adult congenital patients with multiple complications, such as failing fontans, and their transition into the adult advanced heart failure clinic for potential transplant eligibility. Evaluations on outcomes for interventions will be presented and a review of future patient management and selection will be discussed. Early recognition, prompt timing of referral and multi-disciplinary involvement has shown to have direct effect on patient management and outcomes. The adult congenital heart disease population needing advanced heart failure therapy and involvement will be on the rise in the near future; therefore, evaluating our outcomes and implementing changes for these patient’s care pathways and management need to be explored so we ensure we are able to give them the earliest interventions possible to achieve the best outcomes. This patient population need to be viewed holistically with multi-disciplinary involvement early on.
Speakers / Panelists
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The Curse of the Failing Fontan
May 27, 2022 from 2:05pm PDT to 2:35pm PDT -
The Curse of the Failing Fontan
May 27, 2022 from 2:05pm PDT to 2:35pm PDT
Pam Demarbre
Pam Demarbre
Pam Demarbre
Pam graduated in 2005 and found her niche and her passion in cardiology. She further developed her knowledge in cardiology by becoming a CNA certified cardiovascular nurse (CCNC) and by completing her advanced studies in critical care nursing (ACCN). She has been involved as a CCCN member for many years and has recently been involved in some of their initiatives and projects as well as joined the Alberta/NWT/Nunavut executive board. She has worked in various cardiac nursing areas over the years including medical cardiology units, Cardiac ICU, and now currently works as a cardiac transplant and ventricular assist device coordinator. In this role, she works with a multidisciplinary team to care for patients with advanced heart failure requiring advanced therapies including VAD and transplant.
As her career has progressed, she has also developed a passion for teaching. Over the years, she has had experience as a preceptor as well as a clinical instructor and most recently she is involved as a mentor to nursing students as they move through their studies in university and as they transition to the workforce.
When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her husband and 2 daughters and likes to take her dog on long walks. She enjoys entertaining, including hosting dinners for family and friends, eating at delicious restaurants and travelling.
Collette Gibson
Collette Gibson
Collette Gibson
Collette Gibson BN RN ACCN
Collette has been a registered nurse for over 22 years. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Calgary and the Advanced Critical Care Nursing Certification from Mount Royal University. Her career started in Cardiothoracic surgery and she then went on to several years in ICU/CICU. An opportunity arose for Collette to join the Cardiac Transplant team in 2007 and she has been working with the Southern Alberta Transplant program for the past 15 years.
When Collette is not at work, she enjoys watching her 2 kids play sports and loves to travel.