This masterclass was led by Marius Berman MD, FRCS (CTh), Consultant Cardiothoracic & Transplant Surgeon, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge.

Covid-19 restrictions provided the opportunity to deliver this Masterclass in an innovative, unique way, and the course was livestreamed to 40 delegates from the West Midlands Surgical Training Centre, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

Cardiothoracic organ retrieval and transplantation is an area of sub-specialisation uncommonly encountered by the

majority of surgeons. This course enabled senior trainees and junior consultants to experience traditional methods and

learn about the newest and safest techniques in heart retrieval and transplantation.

This Masterclass, and associated learning, aimed to enhance proficiency in working as a team in organ retrieval and it covered:

• the national protocol of direct retrieval and ex-vivo perfusion of the heart following donation after circulatory death (DCD)
• safe cardiothoracic organ retrieval with abdominal normothermic regional perfusion
• heart transplantation techniques in an era of complex recipients
• immediate post-transplant support techniques in case of primary graft failure

The course was aimed at Consultant Cardiac Surgeons within their first 2-3 years of appointment and senior trainees in cardiac surgery. The online session gave the opportunity for delegates to ask questions in real time, view the procedure from many different angles, with access to all members of the international faculty. The session was also made available online for revision and review after the session.

This course was accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.