CTSNet Newsletter

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Blogs on CTSNet are thriving. We recommend the cogent comments of Tom Treasure, FRCS, London

. Mr. Treasure is the 2005-2006 President of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.

Unsure whether blogs can provide meaty discourse? Explore the CTSNet Blogs. Founded by initial postings from Drs. Bob Replogle and Tom Treasure, the CTSNet blogs apply a surgeon’s perspective to other cutting issues of the day, whether in cardiothoracic surgery or what’s happening in the news. Consider Replogle’s stimulating perspectives on global warming and science in the public interest. Or Treasures thoughtful essay on the imperative need to balance evidence and personal experience in deciding what is best for patients. Dr. Eric Lim provides another perspective to the discussion in a recent posting. He argues that new or state-of-the-art is not necessarily better and that proven efficacy must be the primary reason behind any decision, especially regarding minimal access surgery. Then consider Dr. Luis Quinonez’s experiences as a Fellow at the Mayo Clinic and read about the important lessons learned regarding practice and patients in developing a culture of service. Or take in Michael Neuvirth and see how a patient appreciates a culture of service. There is something for everyone in the CTSNet blogs. Return often. Additional blogs are coming soon.

ITALIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY

The Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery (SICCH) is extending the abstract deadline from 30 JUNE to 10 JULY, 2006. The XXIII Congress of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery will be held 2 – 5 December, 2006 in Rome, Italy.

SPANISH SOCIETY FOR THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY

At the XVII Congress of the Spanish Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery June 7-10, 2006, in Valencia, Spain, the members of the Council for 2006-2008 were elected as follows:

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Angel L. Fernández González
José Mª Caffarena Calvar

Their next meeting will be held in Malaga in June 2008.

DECEASED: ROBERT B. KARP, M.D.

Family and friends were stunned to learn of the sudden death of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Karp in an automobile accident in Chateauroux, France in the evening of May 18^th, 2006. Read the warm tribute to Dr. Karp by his friend and colleague, Dr. Robert L. Replogle.

5th EACTS/ESTS JOINT MEETING

The 5th Joint Meeting of the EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY (EACTS) and the EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS (ESTS) will be held September 9-13, 2006, in Stockholm,

Sweden

. The EACTS-ESTS Techno-College is September 9. Deadlines: Early registration 30 June 2006. Late registration 18 August, 2006. After this date, on-site fees will be charged. On-site registration is possible.

ASIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY

At the 14th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery on 1-3 June 2006 in Osaka, Japan, the Council members were selected.

Council Members 2006

President - Akira Furuse, M.D., Tokyo, Japan

President of the 15^th Congress - Qing-Yu Wu, M.D., Beijing, China

Immediate Past-President of the 14^th Congress Soichiro Kitamura, M.D. Osaka, Japan

Secretary General - Shinichi Takamoto, M.D., Tokyo, Japan

Treasurer - Yuichi Ueda, M.D., Nagoya, Japan

Assistant Secretary General - Noboru Motomura, M.D., Tokyo, Japan

Councilors

Chuen Neng Lee, M.D., Singapore
Bum-Koo Cho, M.D., Seoul, South Korea
Yasuyuki Hosoda, M.D., Tokyo, Japan
David L.C. Cheung, M.D., Hong Kong
Prinya Sakiyalak, M.D., Bangkok, Thailand
Omer Isik, M.D., Istanbul, Turkey
Mohamed Azhari Yakub, M.D., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tarng-Jenn Yu, M.D., Taipei, Taiwan
Yong Jin Kim, M.D., Seoul, South Korea
Masashi Komeda, M.D., Kyoto, Japan
Teruhisa Kazui, M.D., Hamamatsu, Japan

New Councilor - Arkalgud Sampath Kumar, M.D., New Delhi, India

The 15th ASCVS Annual Meeting will take place in Beijing, China, 17-20 May 2007. Important deadlines:

Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 Feb 2007
Early Bird Registration Deadline: 1 Feb 2007
Advance Registration Deadline: 31 Mar 2007
Hotel Booking Deadline: 31 Mar 2007

DECEASED: NOBUYUKI TANAKA, M.D.

Read the tribute to Dr. Tanaka by Dr. Wolfgang R. Ade, Juro Wada Commemorative Heart and Lung Institute, Tokyo, Japan.

The Octopus(R) Evolution Tissue Stabilizer--the 10th generation of stabilizers from Medtronic--demonstrates Medtronic's enduring commitment to cardiac surgery. Enhanced stability, flexibility, and a lower profile make it "Best in Class."

The rapidly changing landscape of cardiac surgery requires new skills to meet new opportunities. Our desire for and commitment to your future success is our highest priority.

The Medtronic EDGE is a new program designed to help you acquire the skills you need to be competitive today and in the future. We are committed to the Cardiac Surgeon.

If you missed us at last month's meeting of the AATS, you can get more information by contacting your local sales representative.

Medtronic's new, flexible approach to managing heart valve inventory leverages the trusted, time-tested delivery model used by the world's orthopedic companies. Hospitals receive one or more complete sets of Medtronic's bioprosthetic valves, on time, whenever they're needed, without the costs and risks associated with holding inventory. When the procedure is complete, the hospital simply returns the remaining unused valves to Medtronic.

The system is easy to use and, because TISSUE DIRECT removes the burden and cost of inventory management, hospitals can realize significant cost-savings through:

* Increased shelf space
* No risk of expiration
* No shelf-stock reconciliation
* Reduced inventory liability.

As the global leader in heart valve technology, Medtronic has been meeting the rigorous inventory demands of operating rooms for more than 30 years. We understand that in the ever-changing operating room environment the demand for perfection is high and so are concerns with inventory space, cost, and time management.

To learn more about implementing the TISSUE DIRECT System at your facility (this service is currently offered to hospitals in the United States), please contact your local Medtronic Cardiac Surgery Sales Representative or call Customer Service toll-free at 1.800.328.1357.

MEDTRONIC ENTERS HEART-LUNG MACHINE MARKET with Most Advanced, Compact Circulatory Support System Medtronic Performer(tm) CPB System Designed to Support Evolving Cardiac Procedures.

MEDTRONIC, INC. announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for the Medtronic
Performer (tm) Cardiopulmonary Bypass System (CPB), an integrated, compact console capable of providing total support of the circulatory system during a variety of cardiac surgical
procedures.

Though offering all the functionality of existing systems, it occupies only a 20-inch by 22-inch space, just a third of the footprint of the time-honored "heart-lung" consoles. The new system, which has evolved from proven extracorporeal support technologies, incorporates the Medtronic Bio-Pump(r) Plus in the arterial position - which plays the role of the heart when the blood must be routed outside the body - as well as four peristaltic-type roller pumps for non-arterial fluid delivery and retrieval functions. System controls support individual pump function and a central information display with color touch-screen incorporates graphic menus and buttons for user-selectable options. The system monitors all functions pertinent to patient physiology during use and its servo safety technologies provide visual and audible signals and alarms as needed. Height is electrically adjustable, allowing the instrument to be placed closer to the patient.

The Performer CPB also incorporates data management functions to capture, display, store and transmit all key instrument-related perfusion parameters throughout an entire operation.

Data can be transmitted from the system to an external Microsoft(r) Office Excel-based macro program for report and graph generation and case records. For more information, contact your Medtronic Perfusion Sales Representative or Medtronic Customer Service toll-free at
1-800-854-3570.

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC LAUNCHES 7TH GENERATION ENDOSCOPIC VESSEL HARVESTING SYSTEM

Boston Scientific Corporation announced the

U.S.

launch of the VASOVIEW® 7 and VASOVIEW® HemoProä Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting Systems. The technologies were launched by the Company’s Cardiac Surgery business, formerly part of Guidant. Boston Scientific acquired Guidant in April. For more information on these products, please visit:

There are many new books coming from the publishers that you will want to peruse, and perhaps to buy for you own bookshelf. We will be adding these books to our bookshelf home page as the publishers release them, so check the list often!

"Chasing the Wrong Villain" by Dr. Donald E. Ross, Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney ,

Australia

. Mr. Ross discusses his perspective of off-pump surgery, with interesting ideas and good data to back them up.

A New feature called Humanitarian Heroes can be found on the Humanitarian Organizations home page, the World Heart Foundation. The first article, submitted by Dr. James L. Cox, President and CEO of the WHF, honors two persons affiliated with Children's HeartLink of Minneapolis, Minnesota: John Cushing, Director of International Programs, and Elizabeth Bickel, President. Watch for additional articles honoring others working in humanitarian fields as they appear approximately every 6 weeks.

The 86th Annual Meeting of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery in Philadelphia attracted over 4,700 registrants from around the world and almost 3,000 professionals who registered for five days of scientific sessions, research forums and postgraduate symposia. A webcast of the program is now available on the AATS website.

The American Board of Thoracic Surgery plans to use SESATS IX for Recertification in 2006. SESATS IX will be published soon, but as of today, it is currently unavailable. If you plan to recertify in 2006, please contact the Board office immediately (email: info@abts.org) and provide the ABTS with an email address that will stay active until the end of the year. The Board plans to communicate by email with Diplomates in the Recertification process. For this application, you will need your CTSNet userid and password. If you need assistance with this user information, please contact the CTSNet Editorial Office.

THE THORACIC SURGERY FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (TSFRE) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2007 Award funding cycle!

TSFRE is now accepting on line applications for the following awards:

Research Fellowship Awards
Support of up to $35,000 per year for up to two years for surgical residents who have not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training.

Research Grants
Operational support of original research efforts by cardiothoracic surgeons who have completed their formal training and who are seeking initial support and recognition for their research program. Awards of up to $30,000 a year for up to two years are made each year to support the work of an early-career cardiothoracic surgeon (within five years of first faculty appointment).

Career Development Awards
Salary support of up to $50,000 a year for up to two years for applicants who have completed their residency training and who wish to pursue investigative careers in cardiothoracic surgery.

Nina Starr Braunwald Career Development Awards
Provides a biennial award of $100,000 for two years to support the research career development of a woman cardiac surgeon who holds a full-time faculty appointment and who is within ten years of completion of thoracic surgery residency.

Application Timeline:

November 1—application deadline
Early January—applications reviewed by TSFRE’s Research Committee
Late January—recommendations approved by TSFRE’s Board of Directors
TSFRE Award Announcements are made in February
For more information or to apply for TSFRE’s funding opportunities, visit our web site.

"The STS Thoracic Endografting Symposium is back by popular demand. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons will sponsor a repeat session of this important educational opportunity July 14-15 in Chicago, Illinois.

This program includes an overview of thoracic endografting for cardiothoracic surgeons, a review of the devices available and in development; sessions on endovascular management of thoracic aortic disease and complications; and a look at the future direction of thoracic endografting. There is also a session on launching an endovascular program, including coding and reimbursement, followed by breakout sessions on catheters and guidewires, pre-operative planning, imaging and a hands-on MMS lab.

As you may know, participation in a didactic educational program is one of the requirements for obtaining credentials to perform this new and important procedure. The Society is pleased to offer this jump start on incorporating thoracic endografting procedures into your practices.

Please take a moment to review the agenda, then submit the attached registration form. Attendance will be limited to 125 participants at each session. If you have questions about program content, please contact Lorie Smith at (312) 202-5825, or send a message to (lsmith@sts.org). Registration information available. We hope to see you there."

The Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery (SICCH) is extending the abstract deadline. The XXIII CONGRESS will be held in Rome December 2-5, 2006. Abstract DEADLINE is 10 July, 2006.

Recertification - Diplomates originally certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery in 1976-1978, 1986-1988, and 1996-1998 are eligible to apply for recertification this year. The deadline for submitting a recertification application is MAY 10, 2006. Diplomates whose applications are approved will be sent SESATS IX, which will need to be completed by OCTOBER 2, 2006. Electronic copies of the application forms can be found on the Board’s web site at www.abts.org. Diplomates who are not clinically active and who do not qualify for recertification may apply for Inactive Status by contacting the Board at (312) 202-5900 or by email: info@abts.org.

Part I (Written) Exam - The American Board of Thoracic Surgery plans to administer the Part I (Written) Exam on Monday, DECEMBER 4, 2006. The Board plans to give the exam in a computer-based format at multiple testing centers located throughout the United States. Individuals interested in taking the exam must first submit an application for certification to the Board by AUGUST 1, 2006.

THE EUROPEAN SCHOOL FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY, Bergamo 2006 Course Dates Announced.

A limited number of fellowships at EUR 3,000 will be granted by EACTS International Co-Operation Committee to enable surgeons at an advanced training stage in cardio-thoracic surgery to visit some leading institution(s) of their choice in Europe.

The Committee is looking for institutions that are willing to accept visiting fellows for the above program. Criteria for accepting EACTS visiting fellows are available.

Marko Turina, M.D., Chair
International Co-Operation Committee, EACTS

Three new contributions are added to this series sponsored by St. Jude Medical, Inc.:

"The Joy and Value of a Career in Cardiac Surgery" by Edward L. Bove, MD University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

On September 9-12, 2006 the CARDIOVASCULAR AND THORACIC SURGERY CORE CURRICULUM REVIEW COURSE will be held in Salt Lake City, UT, at the LDS Hospital Education Center, 8th Avenue and "C" Street. For information, contact: LDS Hospital, Department of Surgery, 1-800-262-5374, Ext.1085.

GRAND ROUNDS

Please send your "interesting case presentations" to Dr. Vinod Thourani, Editor of the Residents Section.

It is important for all those participating in journal CME activity that their e-addresses on the CTSNet home page be kept current.

Acknowledgement of successful CME completion on CTSNet is delivered to the e-mail address posted on the individual's home page. If not current, the subscriber does not receive the appropriate information to print off his/her CME certificate. See example message below:

“** Congratulations, H. Howe! **

You have successfully completed the CME activity:

"Initial Impact of Drug-Eluting Stents on Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery"

For a printable certificate with detailed information about this activity, please visit http://cme.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/cme.”

The official journal for the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) is now available. It is titled Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery. Innovations is published bi-monthly by Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. The Editors are Doctors W. Randolph Chitwood Jr. of Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, and Randall K. Wolf, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. For a period of time the papers will be free full access.

The journal can be viewed by going to Journals in the left menu of the CTSNet home page, and then going to JOURNAL RESOURCES in the right menu, and clicking on Other Cardiovascular journals of interest.

V. Chan, W.R.E. Jamieson, E. Germann, F. Chan, R.T. Miyagishima, L.H. Burr, M.T. Janusz, H. Ling, and G.J. Fradet. Performance of bioprostheses and mechanical prostheses assessed by composites of valve-related complications to 15 years after aortic valve replacement. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;131:1267-1273.

Jeffrey W. Delaney, Jose M. Moltedo, James D. Dziura, Gary S. Kopf, and Christopher S. Snyder. Early postoperative arrhythmias after pediatric cardiac surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;131:1296-1300.

General Thoracic Surgery

Robert J. Cerfolio, Ayesha S. Bryant, and Buddhiwardhan Ojha. Restaging patients with N2 (stage IIIa) non–small cell lung cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: A prospective study. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;131:1229-1235.

ARTICLE OF INTEREST IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

Jason Beckermann, Joseph Van Camp, Shuling Li, Sharon K. Wahl, Allan Collins, and Charles A. Herzog. On-pump versus off-pump coronary surgery outcomes in patients requiring dialysis: Perspectives from a single center and the United States experience. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;131:1261-1266.

CME activities are now available to subscribers for the following three articles in the June 2006 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery:

Adult Cardiac: Lingaas PS, Hol PK, Lundblad R, et al. Clinical and Radiologic Outcome of Off-Pump Coronary Surgery at 12 Months Follow-Up: A Prospective Randomized Trial. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:2089-2095.

Thoracic: Jones DR, Daniel TM, Denlinger CE, Rundall BK, Smolkin ME, and Wick MR. Stage IB Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancers: Are They All the Same? Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:1958-1962.

Pediatric: Guleserian KJ, Armsby LB, Thiagarajan RR, del Nido PJ, and Mayer JE, Jr. Natural History of Pulmonary Atresia With Intact Ventricular Septum and Right-Ventricle–Dependent Coronary Circulation Managed by the Single-Ventricle Approach. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:2250-2258.

JUNE 2006 ARTICLE FOR DISCUSSION

ATS June 2006. Pizarro C, et al.Fontan Completion in Infants.

Although it is known that pulmonary vascular development andmaturation are essential conditions for a successful cavopulmonaryconnection, the timing of the Fontan operation has been setarbitrarily, particularly the transition from superior cavopulmonaryconnection to Fontan. If this transition can be accomplishedat an early age, the effects of persistent cyanosis and thepotential for paradoxical embolization might be minimized. In this month’s Annals, Pizarro and colleagues present the results of a strategy for early Fontan operation, with particular attentionto the influence of age and cardiac diagnosis on outcome. One hundred seven children had a Fontan completionbetween January 1998 and July 2005. Early death, prolonged effusions, and prolonged hospitalstay were the outcome variables.

Median age was 13 months (11 to 35) and median weightwas 9.4 kgs (6.7 to 15.1). Hypoplastic left heart syndrome was present in 61 patients, and the Norwood operation was the initialpalliation in 69. An interim superior cavopulmonary connectionwas performed in all. A lateral tunnel was used, and a deliberateright to left shunt was created in 99 patients. Mean transpulmonarygradient and pulmonary artery pressure were 5.7 ± 1.5mm Hg and 11.6 ± 2.2 mm Hg, respectively. Median timeto extubation was 5 hours (range, 2.5 to 184). Median durationof pleural effusion was 3 days (1 to 58) and was greater orequal to 14 days in 13 patients (12%). Overall mortality was4.5% (5 of 107). Variables associated with poor outcome includedassociated noncardiac diagnosis (p < 0.05), elevated transpulmonarygradient (p = 0.03), and pulmonary artery pressure (p < 0.02).Hypoplastic left heart syndrome was the only variable associatedwith prolonged effusive complications.

The authors concluded that the Fontan operation can be performed with good results in thefirst year of life independent of anatomic diagnosis. In the era of early full correction of most lesions, the Fontan operation and its timing have been points of continued controversy. Opinions range from avoidance of the operation altogether too completion within the first year of life, as the authors have advocated in this paper. Is this an invitation too earlier onset of late Fontan problems, or a genuine improvement in patient management? There is certain to be a divergence of opinion amongst surgeons involved in this type of work.

Please read the article and add your comments and experience to this Dilemma in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in the CTSNet Discussion Forum.

OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST:

Editorial Review
Guyton RA. Coronary Artery Bypass is Superior to Drug-Eluting Stents in Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:1949-1957.

Thoracic Surgery Directors Association Award
Kerendi F, Kirshbom PM, Halkos ME, et al. Cobalt Chloride Pretreatment Attenuates Myocardial Apoptosis After Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:2055-2062.

Supplement--Symposium on Harnessing the Effects of Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Bypass: The Fourth World Congressof Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;81:S2345-S2388.

At the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF EXTRA-CORPOREAL Technology (AmSECT) 44th International Conference held April 19-23, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the following slate of officers was elected:

Board of Directors Zone 3 - Ronald D. Matheis, CCP

EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGERY

At the 3rd Spring Meeting held in Cluj Napoca, Romania, in May 2006, Dirk E. M. van Raemdonck began the office of General-Secretary. Richard G. Berrisford is President-Elect. The current president is Semih H. Halezeroglu. Other officers are listed on their Council roster.

ESCVS Officers

At the 55th International Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia, in May, 2006, the following European Society for Cardiovascular Surgery (ESCVS) Executive Committee was selected:

President - Stephan Schueler (United Kingdom)

President-Elect - Giovanni P. Deriu (Italy)

Past-Presidents - Edouard Kieffer (France)
Jean-Claude Marc Schoevaerdts (Belgium)
C. Dzsinich (Hungary)

Cardiac Vice-President - Marian Zembala (Poland)

Secretary-General - Claudio Muneretto (Italy)

Associate-Secretary - Domenico Palombo (Italy)

Vascular Coordinator - Gernold Wozniak (Germany)

Treasurer - Marc Laskar (France)

Cardiac Advisors:
Leo Bockeria (Russian Federation)
Didier De Canniere (Belgium)
Borut Gersak (Slovenia)
Oztekin Oto (Turkey)

Vascular Surgery Advisors:
Gustav Fraedrich (Austria)
V. Riambau (Spain)
Anatoly Pokrovsky (Russian Federation)

DECEASED

Seymour Furman MD of New York City, a pioneer in cardiac pacing, passed away recently. Read the tribute to Dr. Furman by Victor Parsonnet MD, of Newark, New Jersey.

The Third Scientific Annual Meeting of Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University & National Heart Institute, in Collaboration with THE EGYPTIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY (ESCTS) will meet 12–15 July, 2006 at the Sheraton Montazah Hotel, Alexandria, Egypt.

The 55th Annual Meeting of the SCANDINAVIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THORACIC SURGERY and the 26th Annual Meeting of SCANSECT will be held August 16-19, 2006, in Reykjavik, Iceland. Information: Iceland Travel, Conference Department, P.O. Box 8650, IS-128 Reykjavik, Iceland. Phone 354.585.4300, fax 354.585.4390; e-mail: conferences@icelandtravel.is.

The 2006 Meeting of the WORLD SOCIETY OF CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY (WSCTS) will be held August 17-20, 2006 at Ottawa Congress Centre, Ottawa, Canada.

For more information, please contact: WSCTS Office Secretariat, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street , Room H554, Ottawa , ON,

Canada

K1Y 4W7; Ph. 613-761-5116; Fax. 613-761-4478; E-mail. info@wscts2006.com

AmSECT

14th Annual Symposium on NEW ADVANCES IN PERIOPERATIVE BLOOD MANAGEMENT will be held August 25-26, 2006 at Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole, WY. Program and registration information available.

The 14th Congress of THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR ROTARY BLOOD PUMPS will be held August 31 – September 2, 2006 in Leuven, Belgium.

INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CONFERENCE

ADVANCES IN STEM CELL RESEARCH will be held September 8-10, 2006 in Lausanne, Switzerland. This conference an international conference will bring together leading scientists, biotechnologists and clinicians to discuss the latest developments in stem cell research. Programme highlights include sessions on embryonic and tissue stem cells, molecular regulation of stem cell fates, stem cells in development and degenerative diseases.

WRITTEN REVIEW COURSE

The 5th Joint Meeting of the EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY (EACTS) and the EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS (ESTS) will be held September 9-13, 2006 in Stockholm, Sweden. The EACTS-ESTS Techno-College is September 9.

AmSECT PEDIATRIC CONFERENCE

The AmSECT PEDIATRIC CONFERENCE in conjunction with the 17th Annual ELSO Conference will be held September 15-17, 2006 at Sheraton Buckhead Hotel, Atlanta, GA.

For additional information contact: Edward Darling, CCP, Chair, AmSECT Pediatric Committee, darlinge@upstate.edu Office: 315.464.6931; Pager: 315.467.3484.

AIMS, AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SUMMIT on Biotherapeutics and Medical Designs will be held at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from September 18-20, 2006. This is the premier health industry event of 2006. It will bring together physician, business and legal audiences to encourage and facilitate invention, patenting and the early-stage development of medical devices. Visit our website for more information and abstract submissions.

The 2nd Annual CONGRESS OF UPDATE IN CARDIOLOGY AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held September 20 - 24, 2006 in Bodrum, Turkey.

The 4^th meeting of the VASCULAR INTERVENTIONAL ADVANCES (VIVA): THE NATIONAL COURSE FOR PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ADVANCES will be held September 26-29 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas , Nevada . Phone: 800-600-2525; Fax: 847-292-5801; E-mail: viva@medicalmedia.net.

VIVA Visions into the Future of Endovascular Medicine: Coronary and Peripheral Arteriography for the Non-cardiologist with emphasis on coronary angiography for the cardiac surgeon will be held September 25 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas , Nevada . Phone: 800-600-2525; Fax: 847-292-5801; E-mail: viva@medicalmedia.net.

Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery

The 59^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the JAPANESE ASSOCIATION FOR THORACIC SURGERY will be held 1-4 October, 2006 at the Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, Japan. For more information, contact the Secretariat at Japan Convention Services, Inc., IT Center Koshin Bldg.2-2 Kandanishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 101-0054; Phone: +81-3-3500-5933; Fax: +81-3-5283-5952; E-mail: jats59@convention.co.jp

HUMAN FACTORS IN HEALTHCARE

HUMAN FACTORS IN HEALTHCARE: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS TO IMPROVE PATIENT SAFETY will be hosted by The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine October 4-6, 2006. Phillips Hall, Siebens Building, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

USA

.

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ROBOTIC SURGERY

1st INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ROBOTIC SURGERY: From Theory to Application in Thoracic, Cardiac and General Surgery, will be held October 5-6, 2006 (immediately prior to the ACS Clinical Congress) at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Chicago IL, USA. Program sponsored by The George Washington University Medical Center and the Washington Institute of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. For more information or to register: check website, or call: 800-314-1423, 202-994-4285, FAX: 202-994-1791; e-mail: info@robotoicsurgerysymposium.com

The Sixth Symposium in this Series will be held October 5-6, 2006, at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, California. For information, contact: Promedica International CME, 2333 State Street, Suite 203, Carlsbad, CA 92008; Tel: 760-720-2263; Fax: 760-720-6263; Email: controversies@promedicacme.com

The 23rd Annual Meeting of the AUSTRIAN SOCIETY OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY (ACO-ASSO) and the 11th INTERNATIONAL THORACIC SURGERY CONGRESS will be held October 5-7, 2006, in St. Wolfgang, Austria. Topic: Lung Cancer – Diagnosis and Treatment. For information, contact: Congress office: Vienna Medical Academy, Alser Strasse 4, A -1090 Wien; Mrs. Sylvia Trittinger Phone: +43 1 405 13 83-13, Fax: +43 1 407 82 74, E-mail: st@medacad.org/aco2006

AmSECT BEST PRACTICES IN PERFUSION

AmSECT BEST PRACTICES IN PERFUSION on October 5-7, 2006 at the Hilton Bellevue, Bellevue , WA . Program and registration information available.

The MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION OF CARDIOLOGY AND CARDIAC SURGERY 18th Annual Meeting will be held in Ayia Napa, Cyprus from October 5-7, 2006.

New York ACE 2006: Advanced Cardiac and Endovascular Therapies – A Live Demonstration Course - will be presented October 8-11, 2006 in New York, NY. Sponsored by Lenox Hill Hospital. For information contact: New York ACE Symposia Office - Total CME, Inc. Phone: US 1-267-395-0001; Fax: 215-321-7995; E-mail: nyace@totalcme.com.

The EUROPEAN CHAPTER OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY (TERMIS-EU) formerly the EUROPEAN TISSUE ENGINEERING SOCIETY (ETES) will hold its annual meeting October 8-11, 2006, at Congress Center De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. For information, contact: Erasmus MC – Het Congresbureau, Mrs. S. Dijkstra, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Phone +31 10 408 7880, fax +31 10 408 9462, Email: s.dijkstra@erasmusmc.nl

10th HEART LAB WORKSHOP

The 10th Annual HEART LAB WORKSHOP will be held at the Hotel Renaissance in Zurich, Switzerland October 18-22, 2006.

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THORACIC SURGERY in cooperation with the KAUFMAN CENTER FOR HEART FAILURE AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC present 21ST CENTURY TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE: SYNCHRONIZING SURGICAL AND MEDICALTHERAPIES FOR BETTER OUTCOMES, a unique educational program for all health care providers who specialize in the treatment of heart failure. New knowledge and expansion of therapeutic approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure has increased substantially. Evidence-based medical, surgical, and device therapies have facilitated the translation of clinical evidence into everyday practice and may reduce mortality and rehospitalization rates in heart failure. Importantly, medical and surgical management of this devastating disease are complimentary, not mutually exclusive. The medical and surgical therapies for heart failure are continuously evolving and provide the perfect opportunity for this conference which features national and international experts in the field. The meeting will be held October 20-22, 2006, at the Intercontinental Hotel and MBNA Conference Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Abstract Submission and Registration Now Open!

The 35th WORLD CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS will be held 25-29 October 2006 at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), Pattaya, Thailand. For inquiries, please contact the Congress Secretariat at lei@asiacongress.com.

2006 Combined Winter ISMICS/ASCTS WINTER CONFERENCE will be held October 24-28, 2006, Cairns Convention Center, Cairns, Australia. Abstract deadline is AUGUST 14, 2006. Information on abstract submission, registration and the preliminary program are available. Phone +61 7 3366 2205 Fax +61 7 3366 5170; Email: 2006winterismics@tayloredimages.com.au

AmSECT MEETING

The 15Th International Symposium, CARDIAC SURGERY, BEYOND 2006, of the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF EXTRACORPOREAL TECHNOLOGY (I-SECT) AND THE NORTHERN NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF EXTRACORPOREAL TECHNOLOGY, (NNJAECT, AmSECT'S largest chapter) will be held November 1-5, 2006 at the Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort & Casino, Palm Beach, Aruba. For more information please contact Paul Cappola, (2006 Program Committee) at East Coast Medical Organization (ECMO, Inc.), telephone 1.401.455-0618 or ecmoinc@aol.com or isect@aol.com.

The 9th National Congress of the Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Society will be held at the Pine Beach Resort Hotel, Belek/Antalya, Turkey, November 1-5, 2006. For scientific information, contact: Dr. Serap Aykut Aka, Phone: 90 2164189610, ext: 2302; E-mail: serapaykutaka@gmail.com, serapaykutaka@kdc2006.org. For information, contact: Interium Organization: Phone: +90 212 292 88 08; Fax: +90 212 292 88 07; E-mail: info@interium.com.tr, serapaykutaka@gmail.com Additional information: http://www.kdc2006.org/.

The 53rd meeting of the SOUTHERN THORACIC SURGICAL ASSOCIATION will be held at the Starr Pass Marriott, Tucson, Arizona, November 9-11, 2006. For more information, contact Nancy Gray Puckett or Jeanne Delaney Lippert, 633 North St. Clair, Suite 2320, Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: 800-685-7872; FAX: 312-202-5801; E-Mail: stsa@stsa.org

The Fourth International Workshop on Surgical Exploration of the Mediastinum and Systematic Nodal Dissection will be held November 22-24, 2006, in Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain Information: Ms Dolores Martinez (Planta 8), Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, Plaza Dr. Robert, 5, 08221 Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain. Phone: +34-937365050 (extension 3930), Fax: +34-937365082, E-mail: workshop2006hmt@hotmail.com.

The Annual Meeting of the EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF EOSPHAGOLOGY (ESE) will be held November 30-December 2, 2006 in Leuven, Belgium. The abstract deadline is July 1, 2006. Come and learn about the latest progress in esophagology. And enjoy Leuven, city of the oldest University of the Benelux. Phone: +43 1 405 13 83 13 Fax: + 43-1-407 82 74 Email: st@medacad.org Additional information: http://www.aco-asso.at/

The 2nd Congress of the CZECH SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held November 30-December 1 at the Hotel Voronez in Brno, Czech Republic. For information, contact: Center of Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, Pekarska 53, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic, phone 420543211528; fax 420543211218; email: zdenka.horackova@cktch.cz.

STEM CELL THERAPY FOR THE FAILING HEART

Bangkok International Symposium on STEM CELL THERAPY FOR THE FAILING HEART will be held at the InterContinental Hotel 1-3 December, Bangkok, Thailand. Abstract submission deadline: 1 November 2006; For information, contact: Mrs. Francisca S./Ms. Kesinee P.; Bangkok Heart Hospital, 2 Soi Soonvijai, 7 New Petburi Road, Bangkok, 10310 Thailand; Phone: 662-310-3323; Fax: 662-310-3088; Email: kesinee@bangkokheart.com

ITALIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY

The XXIII Congress of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery will be held 2 – 5 December 2006 in Rome, Italy. Abstracts are now being accepted until 10 July, 2006.

WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATED CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION

The 3rd WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATED CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION will be held 6-8 December, 2006 in Innsbruck, Austria.

Our earlier workshops showed that combined coronary intervention carried out by interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in direct cooperation is a realistic option. It was demonstrated that a team approach that also includes cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, perfusionists and cardiac nursing specialists is critical for offering the best therapeutic options to patients with coronary artery disease.

We kindly invite all colleagues interested in integrated approaches to treatment of coronary artery disease to our 3rd workshop and strongly encourage attendance of coronary revascularization teams.

Formation and maintenance of such teams will be the main topic of the 2006 meeting. A distinguished national and international faculty will lead attendees through new ways of cooperation between specialties working on invasive treatment of coronary artery disease. The official language of the workshop is English.

Please find detailed workshop information on the congress website

We are looking forward to seeing you at the 3rd ICR workshop in pre-Christmas Innsbruck 6-8 December, 2006!
Johannes Bonatti, MD and Guy Friedrich, MD

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

December 6-9. EUROECHO 10, the Tenth Annual Meeting of the EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Prague Congress Centre, Prague, Czech Republic. EUROECHO 10 Secretariat, ESC, 2035 Route des Colles, Les Templiers - BP 179, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France, Phone.: +33 (0)4 92 94 76 00, Fax: +33 (0)4 92 94 76 01, E-mail: euroecho@escardio.org.

The second congress AORTIC SURGERY “HOW TO DO IT” II will be held December 15-16, 2006, in Milan, Italy. Organizers are Prof. Roberto Chiesa and Prof. Ottavio Alfieri. Organizing Secretariat: Stefania Grassi. Venue: San Raffaele Congress Centra – Via Olgettina 58 – 20132 Milano, Italy. Ph: +39 02 2643 3700 Fax: +39 02 2643 3754; email:aortic.surgery@spr.it.

The 6th Biennial International Conference of PAKISTAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR & THORACIC SURGEONS will be held December 15-17, 2006 in Karachi, Pakistan. Prof. Arif-ur-Rehman Khan, Convener & Professor of Cardiac Surgery, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. Further information: Conference secretariat, 4th Floor, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi – 75510, Pakistan. Phones:+92-333-222-2955, +92-21-9204759; Fax: +92-21-9201287; e-mail: pscts.conference@gmail.com

The 10th Annual NEWERA CARDIAC CARE: INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY meeting, co-chaired by W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr., MD and Robert C. Robbins, MD, will be held January 5 - 7, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach, California. THE DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS IS NOVEMBER 15, 2006. For further information, please email Susan Westwood at susan@amainc.com or visit: http://www.amainc.com.

The Annual Meeting for 2007 of the SOCIETY FOR CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND will be held March 11-14, 2007 in the Manchester International Convention Centre (MICC), Manchester, UK. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5 NOVEMBER 2006. For information, contact: Isabelle Ferner 35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE; Phone: +44 20 7869 6893; Fax: +44 20 7869 6890; Email: sctsadmin@scts.org

CREF 27 - THE SAN DIEGO CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY SYMPOSIUM

The 27TH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY SYMPOSIUM, chaired by Julie A. Swain MD, will be held March 15 - 18, 2007, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina in San Diego, California. THE ABSTRACT DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15, 2007. For further information, please email Susan Westwood at susan@amainc.com.

XII CONGRESS OF THE CATALAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY

THE CATALAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY will be held April 19-21, 2007 in Barcelona, Spain. ABSTRACT DEADLINE 16 FEBRUARY, 2007. For information, contact: Jordi Bosch i Grau, Ramoni Cajal, 39, 08339 Vilassar de Dalt, Tel +34 93 753 24 67, Mobil +34 620 26 74 39, email: jordiboschgrau@hotmail.com

HERSHEY CONFERENCE

The Third International Conference on PEDIATRIC MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT SYSTEMS, PEDIATRIC HEART TRANSPLANTATION, AND PEDIATRIC CARDIOPULMONARY PERFUSION will be held May 17-19, 2007 at the Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA. Sponsored by the Penn State Children's Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine. Contact: Bonnie J. Bixler, M.Ed. Dir. of Special Projects Penn State Continuing Education, College of Medicine, PO Box 851, Hershey, PA 17033-0851; ph: 717-531-6483.

The 56th International CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held May 17-20, 2007 in Venice, Italy. For information, contact: Professor Claudio Muneretto, Secretary General, UDA Cardiochirurgia – Spedali Civili, P.le Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia (Italy). Phone: + 39 030 399 6401; Fax: + 39 030 399 6096; Email: munerett@med.unibs.it

January 20, 2007 Abstract submission deadline
February 8, 2007 Notification of Abstract acceptance
March 1, 2007 Low pre-registration fee

EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGERY

The 15th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery organized by the ESTS will take place in Leuven, Belgium 3-6 June 2007. Deadline for abstracts 1st February 2007. More info; sue@ests.org.uk.

SOCIETY OF CARDIAC SURGEONS

The XXVth Meeting of the SOCIETY OF CARDIAC SURGEONS will be held in Pamplona, Spain, June 21-23, 2007. Registration: Miss Luisa Goni, Servicio Cirugía Cardiovascular, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Av. Pio XII, 36, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain, fax +34 948 204 188.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

POSTINTERVENTIONAL BLOOD-RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN CARDIAC SURGERY AND PCI will be held October 3-5, 2007 in Lund, Sweden.

SURGERY OF THE THORACIC AORTA

The Fourth Course SURGERY OF THE THORACIC AORTA will be held in Bologna, Italy, on November 19th-20^th, 2007. The course is organized by Prof. Roberto Di Bartolomeo, University of Bologna - S. Orsola, Malpighi Hospital, For information, contact: Norema Srl, Via Orefici, 4, 40124 Bologna, Italy; Phone: +39 051 230385; Fax: +39 051 221894; Email: info@noemacongressi.it

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