Pressure-Volume Loops in Swine - Training Course, Porto

Master Pressure-Volume Loop Acquisition in Large Animals – Exclusive Hands-On Training

Join us for an intensive three-day course designed for researchers looking to start or enhance their expertise in acquiring PV loops in swine. Hosted by the Large Animal Cardiovascular Research Training Center (LANCER) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, this course offers unparalleled hands-on training from experienced researchers and physicians.

With limited training opportunities available in this specialized field, this course ensures you gain theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and confidence in performing pressure-volume loop analysis.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in large animal cardiovascular research.

Details

What to Expect

Comprehensive Curriculum – From animal anaesthesia and surgical techniques to data acquisition and in-depth analysis
Hands-On Experience – Work directly with live swine models (one pig per two participants) under expert guidance
Cutting-Edge Data Analysis – Learn to analyze PV loops using ADInstruments’ PowerLab & LabChart PV Analysis Module

Course Breakdown

Day 1: Fundamental principles, equipment setup, and model selection
Day 2: Live hands-on training with large animals
Day 3: Data analysis and best practices using LabChart & PowerLab for PV Analysis

Cost

5000 € + VAT per participant (includes coffee breaks and lunches for all days, and dinner on the second day)

Location

Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto - FMUP
Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

Full Agenda

Day 1 - 11th June	Session	Information
09:00 – 09:30	Welcome of the participants and discussion of the course schedule	Participants are encouraged to discuss/request any specific details that they would like to be address during the practical session.
09:30 – 10:30	Anesthesia of large animals	Induction and maintenance of anesthesia, orotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation and general physiological monitoring.
10:30 – 11:30	Vascular Access	A discussion of the different techniques utilized for vascular access and the most commonly used vascular access sites used in swine cardiovascular research. Priority will be given to ultrasound-guided vascular access.
11:30 – 12:30	Pressure-volume loops in swine	A description of the different techniques used to perform PV Loops, detailing the measurements that are made, types of catheters used and general setup of equipment.
12:30 – 14:00	Lunch	Lunch will be provided at the restaurant of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (buffet which includes several dietarian options – specific requests can be made).
14:00 – 15:00	Visit to the lab and setup demonstration	Visit the experimental surgery lab to gain an understanding of which equipment is required for PV recording in large animals. This is the ideal time to discuss different equipment setups (advantages and disadvantages), from the most basic to the most advanced.
15:00 – 17:00	Vascular access simulation	As this is the most crucial step during animal work, sufficient time will be dedicated to ensuring that participants are comfortable with ultrasound-guided vascular puncture. Participants not interested in vascular access may be able to discuss/train other procedures (if discussed/requested previously).
17:30	Q&A and end of Day 1	Participants will be divided into two groups (morning and afternoon). We would advise all participants to have sufficient rest, as Day 2 will be physically demanding.

Day 2- 12th June	Session	*Information (Due to the unpredictability of working with live animals, the schedule below is subject to change.)
07:00 – 08:30	Animal preparation	For participants wanting to join for the entire procedure, they can assist during anesthesia induction and maintenance, orotracheal intubation and general physiological monitoring.
08:30 – 12:00	Pressure-Volume Loop acquisition – Morning group	Each participant (2) will have the possibility to attempt canulating a single femoral artery (to ensure that both participants are able to perform the procedure. Previous femoral vascular access will be secured to ensure femoral access later. After an initial demonstration, each participant will be able to perform the entire experiment, creating their own LabChart file. A protocol will be provided, detailing the different steps for later confirmation and discussion of potential difficulties noted during the procedure. Afternoon participants can also attend the morning session, if they choose to.
12:00 – 13:00	Lunch
13:00 – 14:30	Animal preparation – Afternoon group	See morning group description
14:30 – 18:00	Pressure-Volume Loop acquisition – Afternoon group	Morning participants can also attend the afternoon session, if they choose to.
18:30	Wrap up and Q&A
20:30	Course Dinner

Day 3 - 13th June	Session	*Information (Due to the unpredictability of working with live animals, the schedule below is subject to change.)
09:00 – 10:30	PowerLab / LabChart / PV Module (ADinstruments talk)
10:30 – 12:00	Analysis of Day 2 files.	Each participant is advised to bring their own computer with LabChart. Alternatively we will attempt to provide one, but it is not guaranteed.
12:00 – 13:30	Lunch
13:30 – 17:00	Protocol discussion and Q&A	A discussion around the main difficulties encountered on day 2.
17:00	End of course

We don’t currently have any scheduled sessions that match your selection, but please give us your details below to register your interest and we’ll contact you about future events in your region.