Heart Failure Society of America AHFTC Board Certification Review 2026

The HFSA AHFTC Board Certification Review 2026 is a focused, two-day educational program that will take place from July 17–18, 2026, in Chicago, IL, at the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare. Designed by leading experts, this live, in-person course delivers high-yield, practical education that is directly aligned with the official ABIM exam blueprint and addresses the real-world challenges of managing patients with advanced heart failure. In addition to the live sessions, registration includes a robust bundle of supplemental study resources, such as pre-meeting OnDemand webinars, a curated reading list, and the HFSA ABIM AHFTC Question Bank, creating a complete learning system for preparation before, during, and after the course.
Learning Objectives
For the Certification Examination in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology:

Review testable content and the focus of the ABIM Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Certification Examination.

Identify gaps in knowledge about advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology.

Explain how to best focus study efforts on filling identified knowledge gaps.

Provide practice for the certification examination with ABIM-style multiple-choice test questions.

For Clinical Practice:

Describe the epidemiology of heart failure, including environmental factors, and implement strategies for the prevention of heart failure.

Discuss the pathophysiology of heart failure, including normal physiology and compensatory and maladaptive mechanisms.

Assess and treat patients with acute or advanced heart failure, using non-invasive and invasive tests and biomarkers.

Apply guideline-based therapy for patients with chronic heart failure, including pharmacologic agents; non-pharmacologic options, such as diet and exercise; and implantable devices.

Incorporate appropriate care strategies for patients undergoing chemotherapy or with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, valvular heart disease, pregnancy-associated disease, and cardiorenal syndrome.

Explain the genetic basis of cardiomyopathies, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and recognize when to pursue genetic testing as part of the evaluation of patients with suspected inherited heart failure syndromes.

Manage comorbidities in patients with chronic heart failure, including sleep-disordered breathing, anemia, and diabetes.

Implement strategies for effective disease management of patients with advanced heart failure, including referral for mechanical circulatory support, heart transplant, or palliative care.

Manage immunosuppressive therapies and common complications of heart transplant, including rejection, allograft vasculopathy, and immunosuppression-associated conditions.

Utilize mechanical support devices, both temporary and durable.

Manage common complications of mechanical circulatory support.

Target Audience

This program is ideal for: Physicians preparing for the ABIM AHFTC Board Certification or MOC exams. Cardiologists, HF specialists, and transplant clinicians seeking high-level clinical updates. Advanced practice providers and multidisciplinary HF team members who want comprehensive, practical education in advanced heart failure and transplant care.
Best for Cardiologists, Heart Failure Specialists, Transplant Clinicians, Cardio-Oncologists, Nephrologists, Pulmonologists, Immunologists, Geneticists, and Obstetricians/Gynecologists.

Topics
OnDemand Content / Core Board Prep:

Cardio-Oncology for the HF Boards.

Clinico-Pathologic Correlates in Heart Failure / Images for the Heart Failure Boards.

Managing the Cardiovascular-Kidney Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Heart Failure.

Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment.

Healthcare Disparities in HF.

Heart Failure Epidemiology and Risk Factors.

Issues in Chronic HF Disease Management (Biomarkers, Remote Monitoring, Lifestyle Interventions).

Management of Comorbidities in Heart Failure – Sleep Disorders.

Pathophysiology 1: Cellular and Energetic Considerations.

Pathophysiology 2: Hemodynamic, Structural and Neurohormonal Considerations.

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Initial Evaluation.

RV Failure and TR Management.

Statistics for the HF Board.

Live Program – Day 1 (Friday, July 17, 2026):

Live ABIM Style Question Session.

Hemodynamics in HF.

Optimal Medical Therapy for HFrEF.

Cardio Renal Failure Interactions in Heart Failure.

Assessment of Functional Capacity Including CPET.

HFpEF: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Management (For the Boards).

Management of Comorbidities in Heart Failure: Iron Deficiency/Anemia.

Specific Etiologies of HF 1: HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy).

Specific Etiologies of HF 2: Other Inherited HF syndromes.

Specific Etiologies of HF 3: Infiltrative Disorders and Restrictive CMP.

Specific Etiologies of HF 4: Myocarditis and Inflammatory Cardiomyopathies.

Management of the Hospitalized HF Patient.

Management of Left Sided Valvular Heart Disease in Heart Failure.

Management of Common Arrhythmias 1 & 2.

Live Program – Day 2 (Saturday, July 18, 2026):

Welcome & Live ABIM Style Question Session.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease for the HF Specialist.

Pregnancy in HF.

Immunology: The Basics, PRA, Sensitization, Crossmatch.

Rejection: Cellular and Antibody Mediated.

Heart Transplant, Clinical Outcomes and Complications.

Managing Immunosuppression and Drugs.

Advanced Heart Failure: Defining the Phenotype and Patient Selection for Advanced Therapies.

Cardiogenic Shock Management.

Device Therapy in Heart Failure I: Sudden Death Prevention.

Device Therapy in Heart Failure II: CRT (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy).

MCS 1: Durable MCS Devices and Outcomes.

MCS 2: Temporary Support Devices and ECMO for the Boards.

MCS 3: Management of Complications of MCS.

MCS 4: Interactive Shock and Device Management.