If you are having trouble viewing this HTML newsletter with your email client, please click here to view in your internet browser.



Monthly Newsletter - March 2007

Table of Contents

What's New

Important! CTSNet Members

An updated, functioning e-mail address is our only way of communicating with you.

For those of you who wish to be kept up to date on all the CTSNet menu offerings, meetings, Newsletter, and other information in cardiothoracic surgery, PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR CORRECT E-ADDRESS ON YOUR HOME PAGE. It is our only reliable way of communicating with you.

It takes only a minute to do, so go to your home page right now and double check that your address is the correct one. If it is not, and needs changing in any way, go to the top of your home page and click on Profile Update under Member Services in the blue bar. Add your password to your UserID to access your Update options. Your e-address, as well as all the other information we have about you, is found under CONTACT INFORMATION.

This is also a good time to double check all the other Contact Information to make sure it is correct, as well as update the other elements on your home page - your Specialty, Interests and Background Information.

PLEASE DO IT NOW!

Message Directed to CTSNet Participating Organizations

CTSNet encourages member organizations to utilize its information network in the dissemination of information about member organization activities and events. It is the easiest way to get information to the world-wide cardiothoracic community, and for member groups, is available to your organization without additional charge. All such announcements are carried both on the website, and in the monthly Newsletter. Use it!

SPECIAL REPORT -  "The Match and Changing Times"

SPECIAL REPORT: "The Match and Changing Times" An important article by Dr. Benson R. Wilcox on the Residency Match Program in these troubled times. Dr. Wilcox is Professor Emeritus of Surgery and former Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. USA. He was President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in 1995. He is currently a member, and former President of the Board, of the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).

New Horizons Contribution

Another essay in the New Horizons series has been posted in the Residents' Section, entitled The "Ideal" Life as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon, by Alex G. Little, MD, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA.

This feature is edited by Walter H. Merrill, MD, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Medical Symposium: "Interviews With Experts: A Collaborative Approach to Resolving Atrial Fibrillation"

Medical Symposium: "Interviews With Experts: A Collaborative Approach to Resolving Atrial Fibrillation"

Faculty:
Marc Gillinov, MD
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio

Adam E. Saltman, MD, PhD
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn, New York

Kalyanam Shivkumar, MD, PhD
UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Los Angeles, California

A video presentation with emphasis on problem areas, plus a Post-test and Evaluation form. CME credit available.

Jointly sponsored by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Imprint Science.
Supported by an educational grant from Boston Scientific.

Two New Pediatric Cardiac Videos

Two New Pediatric Cardiac Videos have been posted: "Resection of Sub-Aortic Membrane" and "Repair of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPCV) Cardiac Type" by Arkalgud Sampath Kumar MD, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

The 15th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery

The 15th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery will be held May 17-20, 2007, at the Beijing International Convention Center, Beijing, China. ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND HOTEL BOOKING DEADLINE: March 31, 2007. For more information.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
CTSNet, the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and the Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals invite all Chinese cardiothoracic surgeons to participate in an educational exchange program. You need only to come by the CTSNet booth to register and have your photo taken. For doing this, you will receive complimentary online access to the Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and the Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery for one year. We encourage you to take advantage of this one-time offer.

AATS Resident Traveling Fellowships (2007-2008)

AATS Resident Traveling Fellowships (2007-2008) Online Award Applications Now Available.
Deadline:  July 1, 2007

Candidates must be a resident in their final year of an approved North American cardiothoracic surgical training program who plans to spend a maximum of two weeks at one or more institutions other than their home institution. Awardees must also plan to attend the annual meeting of the Association, May 10-14, 2008 in San Diego, CA.

More Information and to apply.

AATS Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship (2008-2009)

AATS Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship (2008-2009)

Candidate must be a non-North American who plans a cardiothoracic surgery training program in a North American center and who has not had significant clinical training in North America prior to making application.
Candidate should have completed his/her formal training in general surgery and in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, but should not have reached a senior position.

More Information and to apply.

AATS Norman E. Shumway Research Scholarship (2008-2010)

AATS Norman E. Shumway Research Scholarship (2008-2010). Online Award Applications Now Available. Deadline: July 1, 2007.

Norman E. Shumway Research Scholarship (2008-2010) provides an opportunity for research, training and experience for North American surgeons committed to pursuing an academic career in cardiothoracic surgery.

Research program must be undertaken within the first three years after completion of an approved North American cardiothoracic residency. Applications for the scholarship may be submitted during the candidate's final year of cardiothoracic residency or during his or her first two years in an academic position. The duration of the scholarship is to be two years.

More Information and to apply.

Webcast of STS 2007 Annual Meeting Now Available

Don't miss Frederick L. Grover's Presidential Address, "The Bright Future of Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Era of Changing Health Care Delivery: An Update," or this year's Thomas B. Ferguson Lecture by former US Senate Majority Leader and STS member William H. Frist. Also included are the four invited presentations by Albert Starr, Mark B. Orringer, Hazim J. Safi, and G. Alexander Patterson. And look for the latest thinking on CABG vs PCI through several sessions on this important topic.

In total, 119 lectures are available for viewing. The list of available presentations may be browsed in the faculty or session sections. Presentations can also be searched by using a particular title, presenter name or keyword.

The Webcast is an excellent chance to review a session you attended during the meeting or to catch up on something you missed. Also, those who missed the STS Annual Meeting this year can still have an opportunity to learn from experts in the field.

While the Webcast captures many of the presentations on tape, it does not replace the experience of being on-site. From networking with old colleagues to hands-on sessions, there's nothing quite like being there. Plan now to attend the next STS Annual Meeting, already being planned for January 28-30, 2008 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

EACTS Meeting Abstract Deadline APRIL 1, 2007

The EACTS Abstract Deadline APRIL 1, 2007, for the 21st Annual Meeting to be held 15-19 September 2007, in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information.

EUROPEAN SCHOOL FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY, Bergamo, Italy

The next thoracic course, level A, will take place 16-21 April 2007. A cardiac course, level B, will be held 11-16 June 2007. For further details.   

Applied Science for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons

THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY

Applied Science for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons, Prague, Czech Republic
19-21 April 2007

Following the very successful course organised in 2006 by the International Cooperation Committee this teaching course will be repeated this year. The main goal of "Applied Science for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons" is to establish very intense communication between the faculty and the participants.  The topics are centered on the practical application of modern science to our field.

The number of participants is limited to 100 doctors to ensure optimal interrelation with the faculty.  Registrations will be allocated by the EACTS Executive Secretariat on a first-come, first-served basis.  Scholarships may be available to those whose institutions cannot cover the cost.

Further information and applications are available

Deadline for applications is 6th April.

Looking for a Night Table Thriller?

Looking for a Night Table Thriller? Check the Bookstore for a New Novel "Firebase Gecko" by John C. Opie, MD, of Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.

EACTS Surgical Meetings

EACTS Advanced Techniques course in Venice 8-10 March 2007: Read this interesting blog by Tom Treasure following the highly successful meeting. 

STSA Accepting Abstracts for 2007 Annual Meeting

Call for Abstracts

Abstracts for the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association's 54th Annual Meeting are now being accepted. Visit the STSA website to link to the CTSNet Online Abstract Submission System and to access the Rules for Submission of Abstracts. The deadline for submitting abstracts is April 13, 2007. Abstracts must be submitted electronically.

The STSA 54th Annual Meeting will be held November 8-10, 2007 in Bonita Springs, FL, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. Registration materials and additional information will be available in the coming months. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend!

If you have questions regarding the abstract submission process, please e-mail kmcauliff@stsa.org

AATS 87th ANNUAL MEETING

We hope you are planning to attend the American Association for Thoracic Surgery's Annual Meeting May 5-9, 2007 in Washington, DC. A few of the highlights follow:

Basic Science Lecture to focus on Nanotechnology
Steven R. Bailey of the University of Texas will deliver the basic science lecture on Monday morning at 10:05 a.m. The lecture will be titled, "Nantotechnology - Impact on Cardiovascular Medicine."

Former FDA commissioner to deliver Honored Guest Lecture
This year's Honored Guest Lecturer is Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., visiting senior fellow at the AEI-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies, former administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

President to deliver address titled, "Who We Are, Who We Will Be"
AATS President Bruce Lytle will focus his Presidential Address on the unique qualities that exist in CT surgeons and how these qualities will help to lead the specialty in the future.

Top notch Lillehei Forum on tap
The Tenth Annual AATS C. Walton Lillehei Residents' Forum will once again feature a selection of top-notch young scientific talent, according to Co-Moderator Mark J. Krasna, M.D.

Attendee Reception
Attendees will have the opportunity to browse the newly opened "Hall of Mammals" as well as explore the National Gem and Mineral Collection, which includes such famous pieces as the Hope Diamond and the Star of Asia Sapphaire.

Emerging Technologies and Techniques Forum
Don't miss the Emerging Technologies and Techniques Forum on Wednesday, with moderators Michael A. Acker, M.D. and Michael J. Mack, M.D.

Global Thoracic Forum to focus on global access to information and operative skills in CTS
The 2007 Global Thoracic Symposium will focus on  the use of modern technology to allow global access to information, pertinent to the CT specialty. This session will feature presentations by Volkmar Falk, M.D., University of Leipzig Heartcenter, Thoralf M. Sundt, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, Marko Turina, M.D. of University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland and Jonathan Schaffer of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Women in Thoracic Surgery New Officers!

The following slate of officers for was elected at the January 28, 2007 meeting of WTS held in conjunction with the STS meeting in San Diego.

President: Margarita Camacho   
Vice President: Nora Burgess
Secretary: Joanne Starr

Board of Directors:

Nora Burgess
Margarita Camacho
Yolonda Colson
Joanne Starr
Patricia Thistlethwaite

Committee Chairs:

By-Laws: Lorraine Rubis
Historian:  Nora Burgess
International Membership: Carolyn Dresler
Membership: Lorraine Rubis
Mentoring: Cynthia Herrington
The ORACLE: Kathleen Fenton
Photo archivist: Rebecca Wolfer
Website: Virginia Litle 
                            
Past presidents:
Andrea Carpenter
Mercedes Dullum
                           
Save this Date! WTS Meeting and Reception at the AATS meeting in Washington D.C., Sunday, May 6, 2007. Time and Location to be announced.

ISMICS Meeting Announcements

The International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) Announces its 2007 Postgraduate Course Schedule - this year ISMICS will feature three two-hour intensive Postgraduate Courses on three separate topics: Emerging AFIB Treatments, Chaired by Krishna Khargi, MD and Ralph J. Damiano, MD, Endovascular Aortic Therapies, Chaired by Martin Grabenwoeger, MD and George Tolis, Jr., MD, and Percutaneous Valvular Therapies, Chaired by Ottavio Alfieri, MD and William E. Cohn, MD. A diverse international faculty of the world's leading experts in each area will participate in the sessions. The ISMICS Postgraduate Course day will be Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, at the Aurelia Convention Centre & Expo in Rome, Italy. 

ISMICS will celebrate its 10th Anniversary during the Annual Scientific Meeting scheduled from 6-9 June 2007 at the Aurelia Convention Centre & Expo in Rome.  Special guest speakers will address the rapid development and innovation in technology and techniques over the past 10 years, as well as provide insight into the direction that new technologies are taking in the future. In addition to original research presentations, panel discussions and a two-round Poster Competition, the ISMICS meeting will also feature a Wednesday evening Case Reports Session chaired by Claudio Munuretto, MD and Lishan Aklog, MD, the report of this year's Expert Consensus Conference on VATS Lobectomy, a Keynote Address by Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty entitled "Evolution, Revolution, Renaissance," a Panel Discussion focusing on Alternative Practice Models for the Next Decade, and a Current Controversies Session entitled "Do Drug-Eluding Stents Represent Long-Term Danger?"  ISMICS will also offer a series of industry -supported Satellite Symposia presentations on Thursday and Friday, as well as special interest breakfast session highlighting how to conduct Professional Journal Reviews on Friday morning, 8 June. ISMICS attendees and their guests will also be treated to a special Friday evening event - the 10th Anniversary and Awards Reception, held at an original Renaissance Hospital where Leonardo da Vinci performed some of his surgeries, and where some of the founding members of ISMICS will share their perspectives on how minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery began.

Visit ISMICS website for updated registration and visitor information, including important links for guests and families planning to attend the Annual Meeting. Watch for the full scientific program which will be available online in late February.

Make your Rome hotel reservations at the special ISMICS rate. New this year, ISMICS has contracted space at three different hotels on the campus of the Aurelia Convention Centre. The Torre Rosa Park Hotel is attached to the Centre and offers convenient mid-market accommodations. The Crown Plaza St. Peter's is a 5-minute walk from the Centre and offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and other conveniences. The Grand Hotel Palazzo Carpegna is a 4-star boutique hotel featuring modern guest rooms in an historic building; also a 5-minute walk from the Aurelia Convention Centre.

For information, contact: Pamela Wilson, ISMICS Annual Scientific Meeting, 900 Cummings Center, Suite 221-U, Beverly, MA 01915; Telephone: 1 978-927-8330; Fax: 1 978-927-8330; Email: ISMICS@prri.com; Additional information. 

The French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

At the Autumn meeting of The French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery the following Council officers were elected:

President: Alain Pavie 
Vice President:  Marcel Dahan                                        
Secretary for cardiac surgery: Rémi Nottin                         
Secretary for thoracic surgery: Jacques Azorin                   
Treasurer: Alain Prat                                                        

Council Members:
 
Jean-Louis de Brux
Charles de Riberolles  
Patrick Donzeau-Gouge 
Gérard Fournial                                                              
René Jancovici                                                                 
Marc Laskar                                                                  
Emmanuel Pouliquen 
Marc Riquet
Pascal Alexandre Thomas                                                     
Jean François Velly                                                                    

Invited as President of the College: Francine Leca                         
Invited as Editor: Gilbert Massard    

Back to Top

Industry Forum

CAN A TISSUE VALVE IMPACT PATIENT SURVIVAL?

Can aspects of valve performance--calcification, regurgitation, hemodynamics and implantability--impact patient survival? Although we can debate the reasons, the outcomes are real. For more information about Medtronic tissue valves, contact your local sales representative or call 1-800-633-8766 or 1-763-514-7107.

Medtronic announces additional EDGE Basic Guidewire, Catheter and Imaging Skills course dates! 

Medtronic announces additional EDGE Basic Guidewire, Catheter and Imaging Skills course dates!  Newly added dates include the following:

April 26 - 27 - FULL
May 17 - 19 - FULL
June 28 - 29 - FULL
July 26 - 27- - FULL
August 23 - 24 - OPEN
September 20 - 21 OPEN
October 25 - 26 - OPEN
November 15 - 16 - OPEN

All courses are held in Minneapolis at the Medtronic Physiological Research Laboratory.  Anyone interested in attending should contact Charlene Luppino at 763-391-9284.

CG FUTURE® COMPOSITE RING: A UNIQUE COMPOSITE DESIGN FOR DYNAMIC MITRAL REPAIR

View our new CG Future® Composite Ring animation. Mitral annulus movement is closely related to aortic root dynamics--the correct function of one valve requires the integrity of the other. Introducing the first composite ring to offer posterior remodeling while maintaining anterior flexibility, restoring dynamic annular motion. Contact us at 1-877-526-7890 to see the COMPOSITE difference for yourself.

CG Future® Annuloplasty System:

Indications: This device is indicated for the reconstruction and/or remodeling of pathological mitral valves. Valvular insufficiency and/or stenosis may be corrected by appropriate repair and annular remodeling.

Contraindications: Heavily calcified valves, valvular retraction with severely reduced mobility, active bacterial endocarditis.

Warnings/Precautions/Adverse Events: Only physicians who have received proper training in valve repair should use this device. Adverse events can include: thromboembolic events, dehiscence, hemolysis, stenosis, residual incompetence, heart block, endocarditis, systolic anterior motion, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, anticoagulant-related bleeding or hemorrhage. For additional information please refer to the Instructions for Use provided with the product or contact your local Medtronic representative.

CAUTION: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

TERUMO CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS HOSTS OPTIMIZING CARDIAC SURGERY SYMPOSIA, APRIL AND MAY 2007

In April and May 2007, Terumo Cardiovascular Systems will host the popular Optimizing Cardiac Surgery® Annual Symposia Series for the fifth straight year.  You're invited to attend our program highlighting new topics.

Attendees appreciate these features that have earned the series high rankings for content and professionalism:

This year's program:

Schedule:
On the first day of the 45th International Conference of the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology, April 25, 2007, 5-8 pm (hors d'oeuvres at 4:30 pm), Atlanta Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

On the first day of the Mechanisms of Perfusion XXII, May 10, 2007, 8-11 am, (continental breakfast at 7:30 am), Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, Florida.

Call your Terumo Cardiovascular Systems sales representative for more information or visit Optimizing Cardiac Surgery Symposia to register.

TERUMO CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS LAUNCHES TLINK(TM) DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Terumo Cardiovascular Systems has launched TLink(TM) Data Management System, an automated data acquisition system that enables primary focus on the patient.  Data from devices in the OR environment are acquired quickly and accurately without manual intervention.  Settings and features can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of different cases and different users, then saved and recalled as needed. Case data is easily transferred to a central database or HIS providing all the functionality needed to implement a paperless system for perfusion records.  TLink System's integrated query management allows all data to be queried in the system.  Its enhanced open-ended query capabilities can optimize post-case analysis and quality assurance management. 

Contact your Terumo Cardiovascular Systems sales representative for more information or visit TLink Data Management System.

CryoLife, Inc. is welcomed as a Contributing Sponsor of CTSNet

CTSNet is pleased to welcome CryoLife, Inc. as a Contributing Sponsor of CTSNet. Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is a leader in the processing and distribution of implantable living human tissues for use in cardiac and vascular reconstruction throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's BioGlue® Surgical Adhesive is FDA approved as an adjunct to sutures and staples for use in adult patients in open surgical repair of large vessels. BioGlue is also CE marked in the European Community and approved in Canada and Australia for use in soft tissue repair. The Company also distributes the CryoLife-O'Brien® Stentless Aortic Bioprosthesis heart valve and the SG Model 100 vascular graft, which are CE marked for distribution within the European Community. CryoLife is a valuable addition to the CTSNet community.

Terumo Cardiovascular Announces SmartPReP2 Platelet Gel Therapy

The use of platelet therapy and the procurement of concentrated, platelet-derived growth factors are being adopted in cardiothoracic surgery to improve hemostasis, promote wound healing and reduce the incidence of mediastinitis.

Terumo Cardiovascular Systems is the exclusive North American distributor for SmartPReP2 Platelet Gel Therapy in the cardiovascular and perfusion markets.  SmartPReP2 sets a new standard for producing autologous platelet concentrate enriched with growth factors.  Find out more, including clinical articles and presentations, floating shelf technology, optimized platelet recovery, high platelet concentrations, consistent results, fast processing time, and volume flexibility at SmartPReP2 Platelet Gel Therapy.

Click here to receive a complimentary copy of Use of platelet gel and its effects on infection in cardiac surgery. Journal of Extracorporeal Technology. Dec 2005; 37: 381-386. Trowbridge, et al.  In this study, Trowbridge evaluated over 1,200 patients and reduced their deep sternal wound infection rate from 1.5% to zero using platelet gel.

Back to Top

books

CTSNet Bookstore Values

The CTSNet Bookstore, maintained in conjunction with Amazon.com, has a new offering, as well as price reductions on a number of books that will make your mouth water. The just published book is Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach by Mark K. Ferguson, Head of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA, and the Editor of the Thoracic Portal for CTSNet.  In addition, a number of books by cardiothoracic surgeons previously available are now offered at substantial price reductions. Don't miss this opportunity!

Back to Top

Clinical Resources

Videos

Literature Watch

Expert Techniques

Thoracic

New Technology

Back to Top

Organizations

EACTS Major Awards

The Francis Fontan Prize is awarded to a cardiac or cardio-thoracic surgeon with postgraduate training.

The Thoracic Prize is awarded to a thoracic or cardio-thoracic surgeon with postgraduate training.

The above prizes are not limited to European citizens. The amount awarded for each prize is 30,000 Euros and should cover the costs of one year's stay at a major European department.  The DEADLINE for submission of applications for both the Fontan Prize and the Thoracic Prize is 15 APRIL 2007. For further details.

Registration is Open for the 2007 AATS Meeting

Registration is now open for the 87th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The meeting will be held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, USA, May 5-9, 2007. For hotel accommodations.

CTSNet Announcement

A reminder about the CTSNet Blogs!

Got something on your mind that you'd like to express to the CTSNet community? CTSNet provides the community with a blogging capability. A 'Blog' is a personal Web site updated frequently with commentary and links to news items, web sites, other blogs, or anything else you like. New items go on top and older items flow down the page. Blogs can be professional journals or personal diaries that focus on one subject or range across a universe of topics of interest to cardiothoracic surgeons.

If you are interested in becoming a blogger, contact Ray Everngam.

EACTS Now Accepting Abstracts for Annual Meeting

The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) is now accepting abstracts for the 21st Annual Meeting to be held September 15-19, 2007, in Geneva, Switzerland. Abstracts on thoracic as well as cardiac surgery topics are welcome. For instructions and abstract submission. ABSTRACT DEADLINE APRIL 1, 2007. Pre-registration is now available for the scientific meeting and Techno-college. EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS 29 JUNE, 2007. PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 24, 2007. After this date, registration must be done on-site.

CTSNet Participating Organization Home Pages

Two CTSNet Participating Organizations have new Home Pages.  They are the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA) and The Scandinavian Society for Research in CardioThoracic Surgery (SSRCTS). Check them out!

CTSNet Job Center

Following the member search and hits on the CTSNet.org home page, our Job Center listing receives the third largest number of hits of CTSNet pages.   Need to post a Job Opportunity or looking for a Job? Remember to check the CTSNet Job Center, as it is a great resource. Those that use it report a large response.  Recruiters say there is nothing like it in other medical specialty.

Back to Top

Residents Section

New Horizons Contribution

"Why I Chose Cardiothoracic Surgery" by Joseph I. Miller, Jr., MD, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. The New Horizons articles are a feature of the Resident's Section, and are edited by Dr. Walter H. Merrill, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Back to Top

Journals

EJCTS March Issue

ICVTS - April issue ICVTS 6/2 is live http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/current.dtl.   Join-in the ICVTS on-line discussion and then see your citable comments published in the print journal: http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/papbyrecent.dtl

EJCTS - March issue is live http://ejcts.ctsnetjournals.org/content/vol31/issue3/ including 2 CME activities.

MMCTS - 88 surgical procedures now on-line: http://mmcts.ctsnetjournals.org/misc/contentsbydate.shtml

Below is a listing of recent additional chapters:

Mattia Glauber, Andrea Farneti, Stefano Bevilacqua and Jamshid Karimov.
Pump-assisted beating heart surgery.
MMCTS (February 19, 2007). doi:10.1510/mmcts.2004.000943.

Alain Pavie, Nils Reiss and Stéphane Aubert.
Implantation technique of the Novacor left ventricular assist device.
MMCTS (February 19, 2007). doi:10.1510/mmcts.2005.001529.

Yutaka Okita, Yujiro Kawanishi, Keitaro Nakagiri, Hiroshi Tanaka, Masamichi Matsumori, Mitsuru Asano, Teruo Yamashita and Kenji Okada.
Reconstruction of the intercostal arteries with small-branched grafts in patients with thoracoabdominal or descending aortic aneurysms.
MMCTS (February 19, 2007). doi:10.1510/mmcts.2006.002014.

Robert H. Anderson and Mazyar Kanani.
Mitral valve repair: critical analysis of the anatomy discussed.
MMCTS (February 19, 2007). doi:10.1510/mmcts.2006.002147.

Robert H. Anderson.
The surgical anatomy of the aortic root.
MMCTS (February 19, 2007). doi:10.1510/mmcts.2006.002527.

Jean Bachet.
Comment to 'The Quick simple clamping technique for the repair of descending aortic aneurysm.'
MMCTS (February 19, 2007). doi:10.1510/mmcts.2006.002436.

Annals of Thoracic Surgery - March Issue

EDITORIAL

Wright CD, Edwards FH.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database.
Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:893-894.

STSA HAWLEY H. SEILER RESIDENT AWARD PAPER

Hickey E, Karamlou T, You X, Komanapalli C, Person T, Wehrley K, Ungerleider R.
The Use of a Miniaturized Circuit and Bloodless Prime To Avoid Cerebral No-Reflow After Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:895-901.

CME

General Thoracic

Linden PA, Bueno R, Mentzer SJ, Zellos L, Lebenthal A, Colson YL, Sugarbaker DJ, Jaklitsch MT.
Modified T-Tube Repair of Delayed Esophageal Perforation Results in a Low Mortality Rate Similar to That Seen With Acute Perforations.
Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:1129-1133.

Pediatric Cardiac
 
Baird CW, Zurakowski D, Robinson B, Gandhi S, Burdis-Koch L, Tamblyn J, Munoz R, Fortich K, Pigula FA.
Anticoagulation and Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Impact of Activated Clotting Time and Heparin Dose on Survival.
Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:912-920.

Adult Cardiac

Kincaid EH, Cordell AR, Hammon JW, Adair SM, Kon ND.
Coronary Insufficiency After Stentless Aortic Root Replacement: Risk Factors and Solutions.
Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:964-968.

REPORT FROM THE WORKFORCE ON EVIDENCE-BASED SURGERY

Shemin RJ, Cox JL, Gillinov AM, Blackstone EH, Bridges CR.
Guidelines for Reporting Data and Outcomes for the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation.
Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:1225-1230. 

Annals of Thoracic Surgery Discussion Paper - March 2007

Henkens IR, et al. Predicting outcome of pulmonary valve replacement in adult tetralogy of Fallot patients. Ann Thorac Surg 2007;83:907-11.

In this month's Annals, Henkens et al address the continuing controversy regarding pulmonary valve implantation in tetralogy patients, most of whom had a transventricular repair many years prior.  They note that predicting changes in right ventricular (RV) size and function after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is important for timely reintervention in adult tetralogy of Fallot patients. The authors analyzed the influence of preoperative pulmonary regurgitation and RV size and function on RV size and function after PVR.  The patient cohort included 27 adult Fallot patients who had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging before and after PVR.

Pulmonary regurgitation (48% +/- 11% of RV stroke volume) was not related to RV dimensions and function before PVR. Moreover, severity of pulmonary regurgitation did not influence changes in RV dimensions after PVR. The indexed RV end-systolic volume before PVR best predicted the indexed RV end-systolic volume after PVR (see Fig 1). The indexed RV end-diastolic volume after PVR best predicted the RV ejection fraction after PVR (see Fig 2).

The authors concluded that timing of PVR should be based on indexed RV end-systolic volume and corrected RV ejection fraction rather than on severity of pulmonary regurgitation per se.

There has been considerable disagreement in the literature regarding this important issue of surgical timing, complicated by the variable postoperative evolution in advanced cases, arrhythmia issues, and the limited lifespan of some of the biological valves employed.  The authors have presented a thoughtful analysis and proposed that that severity of PI in isolation should not be used as an indication for reoperation.  Symptomatic state, cardiothoracic index, arrhythmias, end diastolic volume, and other parameters have been proposed by others as being important in the decision, and the authors challenge this concept to some extent, based on good MRI data.

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

The monthly articles for discussion are selected and summarized by Dr. Tom Karl, University of California at San Francisco, UCSF Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, San Francisco, California, USA. Dr. Karl is Editor of the ATS Discussion Section.

 JTCVS March Issue

CME

Surgery for Acquired Cardiovascular Disease

Alan J. Bryan, Chris A. Rogers, Kate Bayliss, Jan Wild, and Gianni D. Angelini.
Prospective randomized comparison of CarboMedics and St. Jude Medical bileaflet mechanical heart valve prostheses: Ten-year follow-up.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007;133:614-622.

Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

David L.S. Morales, William J. Dreyer, Susan W. Denfield, Jeffrey S. Heinle, E. Dean McKenzie, Daniel E. Graves, Jack F. Price, Jeffrey A. Towbin, O.H. Frazier, Denton A. Cooley, and Charles D. Fraser, Jr.
Over two decades of pediatric heart transplantation: How has survival changed?
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007;133:632-639.

General Thoracic Surgery

Bryan F. Meyers, Robert J. Downey, Paul A. Decker, Robert J. Keenan, Barry A. Siegel, Robert J. Cerfolio, Rodney J. Landreneau, Carolyn E. Reed, Dennis M. Balfe, Farrokh Dehdashti, Karla V. Ballman, Valerie W. Rusch, and Joe B. Putnam, Jr.
The utility of positron emission tomography in staging of potentially operable carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus: Results of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0060 trial.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007;133:738-745.

The occasional series, "Statistics for the Rest of Us," contains several articles that focus on the economic value of effective medical therapy.  Dr. Wu and colleagues, in companion pieces, apply econometric research tools to determine the return on investment for aortic valve replacement, even for very elderly patients.  Drs. Starr and Grunkemeier put the articles in perspective in an editorial on the cost and value of cardiothoracic procedures.

Dr. Stamm et al assessed the feasibility and safety of injecting bone marrow cells while performing coronary artery bypass grafting and concluded that the combined procedure is safe and beneficial, though the lasting clinical advantage remains to be seen.

The cover illustrations are preoperative and postoperative scans from a patient with aortic regurgitation and Kommerell diverticulum complicated with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta. The condition and treatment are discussed in detail in the brief communication by Dr. Munakata and colleagues. 

Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals - February Issue

The February issue of the Asian Annals is now available.

Featured Articles:

Changes to Improve the Annals.
David Lik-Ching Cheung [Editor of The Annals].
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2007;15:1.

The Ross Operation: Clinical Results and Echocardiographic Findings.
Mehrdad Salehi, Roya Sattarzadeh, Ali Akbar Soleimani, Hassan Radmehr, Jalil Mirhosseini, and Mehdi Sanatkar Far.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2007;15:30-34. 

Clinical Significance of p53 Gene Mutation in T1-2N0 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Cengiz Gebitekin, Ahmet S Bayram, Berrin Tunca, and Adiman A Balaban.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2007;15:35-38.

Back to Top

Transitions

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2007-2008 Officers

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons elected the following officers at the STS 43rd Annual Meeting held January 29-31, 2007 in San Diego:

President
John E. Mayer, Jr., Boston, MA, USA
First Vice President
W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr., Greenville, NC, USA
Second Vice President
Gordon F. Murray, Morgantown, WV, USA
Secretary
Douglas E. Wood, Seattle, WA, USA
Treasurer
Carolyn E. Reed, Charleston, SC, USA
Immediate Past President
Frederick L. Grover, Denver, CO, USA
International Director
Bruce E. Keogh, London, UK
Historian
Nicholas T. Kouchoukos, St. Louis, MO, USA

Directors-at-Large:

Kirk R. Kanter, Atlanta, GA, USA
Jeffrey B. Rich, Norfolk, VA, USA
Richard H. Feins, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Jeffrey P. Gold, Toledo, OH, USA
Pedro J. del Nido, Boston, MA, USA
Michael J. Mack, Dallas, TX, USA

During the STS 43rd Annual Meeting, Peter K. Smith and Fred H. Edwards were selected to receive the Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Edwards is Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Professor of Surgery at the University of Florida Health Science Center in Jacksonville, Florida, and Dr. Smith is the Division Chief of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

Officers for the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery

The following officers and advisors were elected at the 23rd National Congress of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery (SICCH) held in Rome, 2-5 December 2006.

Officers:

President
Ettore Vitali 
Vice President
Alessandro Mazzucco
Organization Secretary
Bruno Turinetto
Scientific Secretary
Roberto Lorusso
Administrative Secretary
Vittorio Creazzo

Advisors:

Pietro Angelo Abbruzzese
Antonio Maria Calafiore
Ruggero De Paulis
Dante Medici
Attilio Renzulli
Claudio Zussa

Auditors of the Accounts: 

Roberto Di Bartolomeo
Alessandro Fabbri
Domenico Mercogliano

Back to Top

Abstract Deadlines

More meeting abstract deadlines are available.

Back to Top

Upcoming Meetings

1st ANNUAL FLORIDA VALVE SYMPOSIUM

Dr. Vinay Badhwar and Dr. Randolph P. Martin are co-chairing the 1st Annual FLORIDA VALVE SYMPOSIUM. The subject of this year's meeting is "CURRENT CONTROVERSIES IN VALVE MANAGEMENT" to be held March 28-30, 2007 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.

Cardiac Surgery Faculty: Steven F. Bolling, MD; W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr, MD; Lawrence H. Cohn, MD; Tirone E. David, MD; Carlos M. G. Duran, MD, PhD; Irving L. Kron, MD; Michael J. Mack, MD, Sir Magdi Yacoub, FRS.

Cardiology Faculty: David S. Bach, MD; Peter C. Block, MD; Philipp Bonhoeffer, MD; Robert O. Bonow, MD; Blase Carabello, MD; Alain G. Cribier, MD; Maurice E. Sarano, MD; John G. Webb, MD.

Contact information: Tampa Bay Heart Institute Foundation, 6006 49th Street North - Suite 320, St. Petersburg, FL 33709. Phone: 727-522-9379; Fax: 727-522-9386; Carole Erickson, Program Administrator; Email: siestavc@aol.com.

APRIL

EUROPEAN SCHOOL FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY, Bergamo, Italy

The next thoracic course, level A, will take place 16-21 April 2007. A cardiac course, level B, will be held 11-16 June 2007. For further details.   

Israel Heart Society and the Israel Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery

The 54th Annual Meeting of the Israel Heart Society and the Israel Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery will take place at the Convention Center David Inter-Continental Hotel, Tel-Aviv on April 18-19, 2007.

Applied Science for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons

Applied Science for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons. Meeting to be held in  Prague, Czech Republic, 19-21 April 2007. See the interesting programme of this course organized by the International Co-Operation Committee of EACTS. DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS 6 APRIL 2007.

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.

27th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

The 27th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation will be held April 25 - 28, 2007, at the Hilton Hotel, San Francisco CA. USA.

For information, contact; ISHLT, 14673 Midway Road, Suite 200, Addison TX 75001, USA. Phone: 1 972 490 9495; Fax: 1 972 490 9499; Email: meeting@ishlt.org.

AmSECT 45th International Conference

AmSECT's 45th International Conference will be held April 25-28, 2007 at the Omni CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.  A separate, pre-conference VAD (didactic/hands-on) workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, which offers a special certificate of completion.  For more information. 

Netherlands Association for Thoracic Surgery

The Annual Spring meeting of the Netherlands Association for Thoracic Surgery will be held on April 27, 2007 at the Okura Hotel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. For more information contact: Netherlands Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Postbus 19141, 3501 DC  Utrecht, The Netherlands, tel: 31-30-2380324, fax: 31-30-2380325, e-mail: nvt@tiscali.nl. Abstract submission is now closed.

MAY

Advanced Cardiac Techniques in Surgery (ACTS) 2007

Advanced Cardiac Techniques in Surgery (ACTS) 2007: The Sixth in the Series will be held Wednesday and Thursday, May 2-3, 2007 in The Equitable Center, New York, NY.  Accommodations: Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York, NY. Contact: Promedica International CME, a California Corporation, 2333 State Street, Suite 203, Carlsbad, CA  92008; Tel: 760-720-2263; Fax: 760-720-6263; Email: acts@promedicacme.com

Historic Inaugural Meeting of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery

Historic Inaugural Meeting of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery will be held 3 - 4 May, 2007, at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, Washington, DC, USA. Abstract submission deadline has passed (19 January, 2007). For additional information. For information, contact: Christine Prader, Conference Coordinator; Email: christine@wspchs.com

Registration is Open for the 2007 AATS Meeting

Registration is now open for the 87th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The meeting will be held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, USA, May 5-9, 2007. For hotel accommodations.

Extending the Horizons in Valvular Heart Disease

Extending the Horizons in Valvular Heart Disease: The First in the Series will be held on May 10, 2007 at the Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA.  For information, please contact: Promedica International CME, a California Corporation, 2333 State Street, Suite 203, Carlsbad, CA  92008; Tel: 760-720-2263; Fax: 760-720-6263; Email: vmartinelli@promedicacme.com

24th Annual Meeting of Japanese Association for Chest Surgery

The 24th Annual Meeting of Japanese Association for Chest Surgery will be held May 17-19, 2007, at the PACIFICO YOKOHAMA, Yokohama, Japan. Abstract submission has been closed. Contact: Masayuki Iwazaki, MD, PhD, Secretary General; Bohseidai Isehara-shi, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan; Phone:+81-463-98-3021; Fax:+81-463-98-3023; Email:jacs24@m.med.u-tokai.ac.jp. For further information. 

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: 1 717-531-6483.

THE ASIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY

The 15th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery will be held on May 17-20, 2007 in Beijing, China. For more information, contact; ASCVS 2007 Secretariat, Chinese Medical Association, 42 Dongsi Xidajie, Beijing 100710, China; Phone: +86 (10) 8515 8149; Fax: +86 (10) 6512 3754; E-mail: ASCVS2007@cma.org.cn; Website: www.ascvs2007.com.

Pre-congress Registration Deadline: March 31, 2007.

THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY

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  

The IVth Turkish Thoracic Surgery Congress

The IVth Turkish Thoracic Surgery Congress will be held 17 - 20 May, 2007, at the Kremlin Palace Hotel, Antalya, Turkey. For information, contact: Associate Professor Dr. Turgut Isitmangil; Telephone: 902-165-756-731; Email: isitmangil@gmail.com; Additional information.

Left and Right Ventricular Failure: concepts and management. Approved by EACTS

"Left and Right Ventricular Failure: concepts and management" will be held 17 - 22 May 2007, at Ettore Majorana Centre for Scientific Studies, Erice, Sicily, Italy. Program approved by EACTS. For information, contact: Professor Ugo F. Tesler, M.D., Direzione Scientifica del Policlinico di Monza, Via Amati 111, Monza, Italy; Email: hugin@iol.it

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL POSTGRADUATE COURSE IN GENERAL THORACIC SURGERY

The 37th Annual Postgraduate Course in General Thoracic Surgery, co-directed by Douglas J. Mathisen, MD and Cameron D. Wright, MD will be held May 24-25, 2007 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, MA, USA. For information/registration, please contact Harvard Medical School, Division of Continuing Education (617) 384-8600.

4th International Meeting on Cardiac Surgery "The Euro-Asian Bridge"

The 4th International Meeting on Cardiac Surgery "The Euro-Asian Bridge" will be held 26-27 May, 2007, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai. Contacts: "The Euro-Asian Bridge" Secretariat, 29 Sinopis Str., 115 27, Athens, Greece; Telephone: +30 210 7799261; FAX: +30 210 7711768; E-Mail: secretariat@euroasianbridge.net

JUNE

33RD ANNUAL TORONTO THORACIC SURGERY REFRESHER COURSE

33RD ANNUAL TORONTO THORACIC SURGERY REFRESHER COURSE at the Sutton Place Hotel, Toronto, Canada June 1-2, 2007. For more information.

ACCREDITATION:
The Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto is an accredited provider for The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and The American Medical Association.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Continuing Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Suite 650, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V7 Canada; Phone: 1 416.978.2719, Toll Free: 1.888.512.8173; Fax: 1 416.946.7028;  E-mail: ce.med@utoronto.ca; Website: www.cme.utoronto.ca

5th Annual Current Trends in Cardiothoracic Surgery

The 5th Annual Current Trends in Cardiothoracic Surgery meeting will be held June 1-2, 2007 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Houston, Texas, USA. For information, contact: Baylor College of Medicine, Office of Continuing Medical Education, One Baylor Plaza, MS: BCM 155, Houston, TX 77030, Tel. +1 713 798 8237, Fax +1 713 798 7955, Email:cme@bcm.tmc.edu; Online registration and conference program.

EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS

The 15th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgeons organized by the ESTS will take place in Leuven, Belgium 3-6 June 2007. Begijnhof Congres Hotel; Novotel Leuven Centrum; Ibis Leuven Centrum; Holiday Inn Garden Court. Abstract submission is now closed. For information, contact: Dirk Van Raemdonck, M.D., Phone: +44 1392 430671 / 32 16 34; Fax: +44 1392 430671 / 32 16 34; Email: secretary@ests.org.uk

American Society For Artificial Internal Organs

ASAIO's 53rd Annual Conference will be held June 7 - 9, 2007, at the Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL, USA. Contact Information: ASAIO Headquarters info@asaio.com; 1 561-391-8589.

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Summit

The Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Summit will be held June 8-9, 2007. Course Director: Scott J. Swanson, MD, at The New York Academy of Medicine. This conference will focus on the state-of-the-art minimally invasive treatment of thoracic disease and will highlight diagnostic and therapeutic technologies that are available for diseases of the lung, esophagus, chest wall and mediastinum. Invited faculty include national and internationally recognized leaders in the field of Thoracic Surgery. For further information, please email Donald Morcone at dmorcone@nyam.org.

Contemporary Questions in Congenital Heart Disease:  The Left Heart

2007 Cardiac Symposium on Contemporary Questions in Congenital Heart Disease: The Left Heart will be held June 10 - 12, 2007, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto, Ont. Canada. This symposium is sponsored by Sickkids, Toronto, Canada. More information on the symposium.

60th Congress of The French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

The 60th Congress of The French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery will be held 13 - 16 June, 2007, in Besançon France. For information, contact: SFCTCV, 56, Bd Vincent Auriol - 75013 - Paris - France; Phone: +33 1 42 16 42 10; Fax: +33 1 53 62 91 20; Email: sfctcv@wanadoo.fr

AmSECT Perfusion Safety 2007

AmSECT's Perfusion Safety 2007 meeting will be held June 13-16, 2007 at the Vallarta Palace in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Registration is waived for AmSECT members.  For the schedule of scientific sessions and information about AmSECT membership.  For registration and lodging. The ABCP has awarded 24.8 Category I CEUs for this meeting.

Rhythm - 2007 Arrhythmias and Heart Failure

Rhythm - 2007 Arrhythmias and Heart Failure: Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Therapies. Meeting will be held 15-17 June, 2007 at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes, France. ABSTRACT DEADLINE 13 APRIL, 2007. Contact: lcurel@rhythmcongress.com. For more information.

Society for Heart Valve Disease (SHVD) Meeting

The 4th Biennial Meeting of the Society for Heart Valve Disease (SHVD) will be held 15-18 June, 2007, at the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York, NY. SHVD Executive Secretariat: Heart Science Centre, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex. UB9 6JH United Kingdom. Telephone: + 44 1895-828977; Facsimile: +44 1895-828902; Email: secretariat@shvd.org 

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.

7th Symposium on Aortic and Mitral Reconstructive Surgery

The 7th Symposium on Aortic and Mitral Reconstructive Surgery - Focus on aortic leaflet prolapse management will be held June 22-23, 2007, at the Best Western - Sodehotel in Brussels, Belgium.
Register online.

Congress secretariat: Secrétariat de chirurgie cardiovasculaire et thoracique, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc 10/6107, 1200 Bruxelles - Belgium; Telephone: 0032 2 764 61 13; Fax: 0032 2 764 89 60; E-mail : ccv@chir.ucl.ac.be

Organization: Travex Congress, Parvis de la Tinité 8, 1050 Bruxelles; Telephone :0032 2 533.20.45; Fax: 0032 2 537.75.88; E-mail : b.vandermeuse@travex-travel.be

Minimally Invasive Staging & Management of Lung Cancer

"Minimally Invasive Staging & Management of Lung Cancer" will be held 26-28 June, 2007, at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. Contact Name: Lorraine Judge, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, The Adamson Centre, 3 Hill Place, Edinburgh EH8 9DS, Scotland; Telephone: +44 (0)131 668 9209; Fax: +44 (0)131 668 9241; Email:l.judge@rcsed.ac.uk More information      

Western Thoracic Surgical Association 2007 Meeting

The 33rd Annual Meeting of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA) will be held June 27-30, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM.  For information, contact: Megan Tainer, 900 Cummings Center, Suite 221-U, Beverly, MA 01915; Phone: 1 978 927-8330; Fax: 1 978 524-8890; Email: WTSA@prri.com

2nd Polish-Ukrainian Cardiac Surgery Congress

2nd Polish-Ukrainian Cardiac Surgery Congress will be held 28 - 30 June 2007 in Lublin, Poland.

For information, contact: Biuro Kongresów i Turystyki SKOLAMED, 20-070 Lublin, ul. Boczna Lubomelskiej 4; Phone: +48 (0)81 534 43 87; Fax: +48 (0)81 534 71 50;Email: kongres@paiz.com.pl  Additional information: http://www.kchir.paiz.com.pl/

JULY - SEPTEMBER

The 17th World Congress of the World Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons

The 17th World Congress of the World Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons will be held 11 - 13 July 2007, in Kyoto, Japan at the Kyoto International Conference Hall. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MARCH 30, 2007. For information, contact: WSCTS 2007 Secretariat, c/o Congress Corporation, 3-6-13 Awaji-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0047 Japan; Email: wscts2007@congre.co.jp

AmSECT Pediatric Perfusion 2007

AmSECT's Pediatric Perfusion 2007 meeting will be held July 11-14, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.  More information can be obtained from mejakb@ohu.edu or by clicking here.

The Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery 7th Annual Summer Educational Meeting

The Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery 7th Annual Summer Educational Meeting will be held 20 - 22 July 2007 at the Marriott Washington, Washington, DC, USA. For information, contact: Lindsay McConeghy, APACVS, O Box 4834, Englewood, CO 80155; Phone: 1 877 221-5651; Fax: 1 303 771-2550; Email: lindsay@goddardassociates.com; Additional information.

55th Annual Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australian and New Zealand

The 55th Annual Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australian and New Zealand will be held 9 - 12 August, 2007, at Christchurch, New Zealand. Abstract submission is closed. For information, contact: The Conference Company Ltd, PO Box 90-040, Auckland, New Zealand; Phone: +64 9 3601240; Fax: +64 9 3601242; Email: csanz2007@tcc.co.nz

56TH ANNUAL MEETING OF SCANDINAVIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THORACIC SURGERY AND THE 27TH ANNUAL MEETING OF SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY FOR EXTRACORPOREAL TECHNOLOGY

The 56th Annual Meeting of Scandinavian Association for Thoracic Surgery and the 27th Annual Meeting of Scandinavian Society for Extracorporeal Technology will be held 16 - 18 August, 2007, in Helsinki Finland. The deadline for abstract submission is MAY 1, 2007. For information, contact: CONGRESZON; Itälahdenkatu 22A, FI-00210 Helsinki, Finland; Phone: +358 9 5840 9351; Fax: +358 9 5840 9555;Email: sats-scansect2007@congreszon.fi

13th Conference on Electrical Bioimpedance

The 13th Conference on Electrical Bioimpedance, which will be organized by Prof. Dr. H. Scharfetter, Graz, will be held in Graz, Austria, from August 29 to September 2, 2007. Besides biophysical, technical and clinical topics, one session about "Organ Monitoring" is devoted to ischemia, reperfusion and transplantation.

AATS Postgraduate Course: Valvular Heart Disease 2007

The AATS Valvular Heart Disease 2007 course will be held on September 7-9, 2007 in Chicago, IL.  This postgraduate course is designed for practicing cardiac surgeons and cardiologists. It will cover all aspects of medical, interventional and surgical management of patients with heart valve disease. This unique course will bring together the world's leading interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to share the latest progress made on percutaneous/transventricular interventional and surgical therapies on heart valve disease.  By combining cutting-edge surgical techniques with state of the art interventional strategies, the program will afford participants the opportunity to network and share lessons learned in a focused and intimate setting.  For more information, contact Stacy Gijsbers: Phone: 978-927-8330; Fax: 978-524-0498; E-Mail: sgijsbers@prri.com.

AmSECT 15th Annual Symposium on New Advances in Blood Management

AmSECT 15th Annual Symposium on New Advances in Blood Management will be held at Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, MO, September 19-23, 2007. For more information, contact  astammers@aol.com, or this website.

Cardiac Insufficiency 2007 (Herzinsuffizienz 2007 - Das Dreiländertreffen)

Cardiac Insufficiency 2007 (Herzinsuffizienz 2007 - Das Dreiländertreffen) will be held 27 - 29 September, 2007, in Nürnberg, Germany. For additional information, contact: E&E PCO, Nobilegasse 23-25, 1150 Vienna, Austria; Telephone: + 43 (1) 867 49 44 0; Fax: + 43 (1) 867 49 44 9; Email: office@ee-pco.com; Website information  

OCTOBER - ON

XVI Argentine Congress of Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgeons, II Congress of the Latin American Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Joint Meetings of the XVI Argentine Congress of Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgeons and the II Congress of the Latin American Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery will be held October 3-5, 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Av. Leandro N. Alem 1151, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Abstract submission deadline: 15 July 2007. For information, contact: Pilar Ponce de León, Tinogasta 4151 (C1417EIQ), Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Telephone: +54 911 4422-4410; Fax: +54 11 4567-4481; Email: pilarponcedeleon.ppl@gmail.com; Additional information. 

POSTINTERVENTIONAL BLOOD-RELATED COMPLICATIONS IN CARDIAC SURGERY AND PCI

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

AmSECT Best Practices in Perfusion Meeting

AmSECT Best Practices in Perfusion Meeting will be held October 4-6, 2007 at the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel, 1201 Boulevard Rene-Levesque, West Montreal, Quebec H3B 2L7, Canada. More information coming soon.

JOINT MEETING

The Joint meeting of the GERMAN SOCIETY FOR THORACIC SURGERY, the SWISS SOCIETY FOR THORACIC SURGERY and the AUSTRIAN SOCIETY FOR THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY will be held October 4-7, 2007 in Konstanz, Germany. For information, contact: Medizinische Congress-organisation Nürnberg, Zerzabelhofstr. 29, 90478 Nürnberg, Germany; Tel. +49(0) 911/39 31 60; Fax: +49 (0) 911/33 12 04; www.mcn-nuernberg.de. Scientific organiser: Thomas Kiefer, MD, Dep. of Thoracic Surgery, Klinikum Offenburg, Ebertplatz 12, 77654 Offenburg, Germany; E-mail: tagung@tc2007.de Abstract deadline: April 30th, 2007.

5th INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE 

The 5th INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE will be held October 14-16, 2007, in Tel Aviv, Israel. ABSTRACT DEADLINE: 15 March 2007.  For information, contact ISAS International Seminars, P.O. Box 574, Jerusalem 91004, Israel. Tel: 972-2-6520574; Fax: 972-2-6520558; e-mail: meetings@isas.co.il

Eighth Biennial Congress of the Syrian Cardiovascular Association

Eighth Biennial Congress of the Syrian Cardiovascular Association will be held in Damascus, Syria, November 1-3, 2007. Information: Prof. Sami Kabbani, P.O. Box: 8487, Damascus, Syria; Tel/Fax: 00963 94 27 27 55; E-mail: scva@scs-net.org; More information.

AmSECT Meeting Announcments

The Program Committee for NNJAECT & I-SECT's 16th International Symposium, CARDIAC SURGERY, BEYOND, is now accepting abstracts and/or case studies for the meeting to be held November 7 - 11, 2007, at the Naples Grande Resort & Club, Naples, Florida USA.  Symposium information will soon be posted at www.i-sect.cjb.net.  Anyone needing immediate information, please contact Paul Cappola, Craig Vocelka or Travel Unlimited New Jersey USA, (Official coordinator for registration & accommodations). The travel center will also assist you with any travel needs?.

Abstract deadline: APRIL 30th, 2007! Brochures to be mailed in June, 2007.

Program Contacts: Paul Cappola: ecmoinc@aol.com  or 1.401.455-0618; Craig Vocelka:  vocelka@u.washington.edu or 1.206.685-3677. Travel Unlimited, New Jersey USA, (Alan or Anne): 800.228-1502 or e-mail  info@travelunlimited.com or 1.973-228-1500.

The 54th Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) Annual Meeting

The 54th Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) Annual Meeting will be held 8 - 10 November, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency, Bonita Springs, Florida, USA. Abstract submission deadline: 6 April 2007. For information, contact: Nancy Gray Puckett, 633 North Saint Clair, Suite 2320, Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: 1 800 685-7872; Fax: 1 312 202-5801; Email: stsa@stsa.org

12th Congress on Cardio-Thoracic Surgery for the Belgian Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

The 12th Congress on Cardio-Thoracic Surgery for the Belgian Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery will be held 17 November, 2007, at the Sodehotel, Woluwe, Brussels Belgium. Abstract submission deadline: 1 August, 2007. For information, contact: Dr. Y. Van Belleghem Chairman Scientific Committee BACTS, Dienst Cardiochirurgie, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent, De Pintelaan 185,  B-9000 Gent.  Email: yves.vanbelleghem@ugent.be.

Congress - Association of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA)

18th Biennial Congress - Association of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA) will be held November 25-28, 2007, at the Bali Convention Centre, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.

Abstract submission deadline: 1 SEPTEMBER 2007.  For information, contact: Indonesian Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Main Building, 4th Floor, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 87, Slipi, Jakarta 11420 Indonesia; Phone: 62.21.569.44.08; Fax: 62.21.566.5993;Email: aditya_kusuma_w@yahoo.com.au

ISMICS Winter Workshop

ISMICS Winter Workshop will be held 28 November - 2 December, 2007 at the Sungate Port Royal Resort, Antalya, Turkey. For more information 

3rd Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery

3rd Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery - The ISMICS Winter Workshop - will be held 28 November - 2 December, 2007 at the Sungate Port Royal Hotel, Antalya, Turkey. ABSTRACT DEADLINE 31 MAY, 2007. For more information.

4th Asian Pacific Congress of Heart Failure

The 4th Asian Pacific Congress of Heart Failure will be held January 31 - February 3, 2008, at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia.

For information, contact: Congress Managers, GPO Box 128, Sydney Australia 2001;Telephone: +61 2 9265 0700; Fax: +61 2 9265 5443; Email: apchf@tourhosts.com.au; Additional Information 

Back to Top

Member Section

MEMBER PHOTOS

We thank all those members who have sent your photos for posting on your home page. It does make such a difference when curious fellow-members can eyeball you. For those who have not yet done so, we urge you to send a photograph soon. We prefer a jpeg file attached to an e-mail, but will accept other types (bitmap, gif). Or simply send us a wallet-sized glossy print to the address below.

Beijing Meeting

If you are planning to be at the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Annual Meeting in Beijing, China, May 17-20, 2007, be sure to stop by the CTSNet booth to say hello and get your picture taken. Several members of the CTSNet staff will be there.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
CTSNet, the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and the Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals invite all Chinese cardiothoracic surgeons to participate in an educational exchange program. You need only to come by the CTSNet booth to register and have your photo taken. For doing this, you will receive complimentary online access to the Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and the Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery for one year. We encourage you to take advantage of this one-time offer.

We look forward to seeing you in Beijing.

Thomas B. Ferguson, M.D.
Senior Editor

Carol L. Blasberg
Managing Editor

CTSNet, Inc.
3108 Queeny Tower
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63110
Telephone: 1 314.361.6084
FAX: 1 314.962.1825
E-mail: ctsnet@wudosis.wustl.edu

Back to Top

This material was sent to you as a member of CTSNet. If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter, please click on the link below to submit your e-mail address for removal from the list. This will not affect your other CTSNet interactions.

Click Here to Unsubscribe