OTTAWA, September 5, 2025 — The Ottawa Heart Institute is hosting the 7th North American Aortic Valve Repair Symposium (AVRS) Masterclass on September 5–6, bringing together international experts in aortic valve surgery for a focused, two-day program centred on valve repair techniques and patient outcomes.
The Masterclass is recognized as one of the most advanced educational forums of its kind in North America, providing cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, trainees, and care teams with in-depth training on aortic valve repair and the Ross procedure. In the Ross procedure, surgeons replace a patient’s damaged aortic valve with the patient’s own pulmonary valve. This technique can lead to better durability and improved long-term results.
The symposium’s format is rooted in practical learning, offering live surgical cases, technical video analysis, and hands-on sessions to deepen surgical decision-making and operative technique.
“The goal of this symposium is to move the field forward through demonstration, dialogue, and hands-on education,” said Munir Boodhwani, MD, a professor in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the Ottawa Heart Institute and member of the Masterclass leadership team. “Valve repair is an area where nuance matters. This event provides a forum to learn from each other, to refine techniques, and to improve outcomes for patients worldwide.”
The event draws faculty and participants from the Ottawa Heart Institute and other leading institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Key sessions will explore advanced topics such as bicuspid valve repair and the Ross procedure, as well as a moderated debate on treatment options for older patients with a repairable valve—reflecting the evolving complexity of clinical decision-making in aortic valve disease.
“This symposium highlights our ongoing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in cardiac care,” said Rob Beanlands, MD, president and CEO of the Ottawa Heart Institute. “By convening the world’s leading voices in aortic valve repair, we continue to demonstrate our significant role as a primary hub for advancing knowledge, improving outcomes, and shaping the future of cardiovascular medicine globally.”
As part of the Masterclass, participants will also have an opportunity to take part in two dedicated surgical simulation labs at the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre. One focuses on repairing the aortic root (the part of the aorta connected to the heart) while preserving the patient’s valve, and on reshaping damaged aortic valves. The other focuses on the Ross procedure. These wet labs offer a rare opportunity for hands-on learning using realistic models in a controlled training environment, further enhancing the practical value of the symposium.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Dr. Munir Boodhwani, please contact the liaison below.
Media contact
Leigh B. Morris
Communications Officer
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
613-316-6409 (cell)
lmorris@ottawaheart.ca