Monthly Newsletter - October 2006
Important Announcement - Congenital Literature Watch
This quarter marks the inauguration of the Congenital Literature Watch. We are slightly behind our Adult Cardiac and Thoracic sections, but hope to make up for lost time with an outstanding selection of articles. Dr. Aditya Kaza, a pediatric cardiac surgical fellow working with Francois Lacour-Gayet at Denver Children's Hospital, has offered to do much of the leg work involved in searching the journals for articles with a congenital focus. As Editor, I will then select those articles most relevant for congenital heart surgeons. We do not intend to provide an all-inclusive list of congenital articles published, but to select those most pertinent; of course, this goal may alter in response to reader input. We will try to limit the total number of articles per quarter to less than 20, a manageable number of articles to review in depth. Also, we would appreciate input from those who publish an article on congenital heart surgery in a peer-reviewed journal. Please feel free to recommend it to us for possible inclusion in the Literature Watch. Conversely, do not feel excluded if we should miss an article worthy of note. We will be happy to list it in the next quarterly review. The goal of this Literature Watch is to make available a single site where practicing congenital heart surgeons and trainees may keep up-to-date with the literature.
Carl L. Backer, MD
Children's Memorial Hospital
Chicago, IL, USA
New Thoracic Portal Survey
A New Thoracic Portal Survey on the Management of N2 disease in NSCLC is available. We urge interested readers to participate! Also the results of the survey on Practice patterns of surgical therapy for esophageal cancer are now posted. Both surveys can be accessed from boxes in the right column of the Thoracic Portal Home Page. Watch and participate in new surveys as they appear in the future.
A New Congenital Expert Technique paper "Modified Fontan" by Doctors Glenn J. Pelletier and Marshall L. Jacobs, Saint Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, USA, is a companion article to their recently posted Expert Technique paper "Superior Cavopulmonary Anastomosis: The Hemi-Fontan and Bidirectional Glenn." As with the first contribution, the new article has a very detailed Editor's Note by Dr. Carl L. Backer of Chicago.
"Pericardial Cyst" by Doctors Alexander Kraev, New York Hospital of Queens, Flushing, NY, and Christopher B. Komanapalli, Paul H. Schipper, and Mithran S. Sukumar, all of Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
2006 Cardiothoracic Technology Symposium
The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) and the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA) jointly sponsored the 2006 Cardiothoracic Technology Symposium, held in the University of Cincinnati Center for Surgical Innovation May 19-21, 2006. View the complete program and the videotapes of the presentations.
A New Horizons Contribution has been posted: "...On Being a Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon" by Dr. Charles D. Fraser, Jr., Chief, Congenital Heart Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Q2 2006 Thoracic Literature Watch
The Thoracic Literature Watch for the second quarter of 2006 is now available, compiled by Thoracic Portal Editor Mark Ferguson of Chicago.
Q3 Thoracic Literature Watch, compiled by Thoracic Portal Editor Mark Ferguson of Chicago, is available for viewing.
"Thoracoscopic Decortication" by Christopher B. Komanapalli, MD and Mithran S. Sukumar, MD of Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
"Bilateral VATS Pulmonary Vein Isolation, Left Atrial Appendage Excision, Directed Partial Cardiac Denervation and EP Mapping (MiniMAZE-Wolf Technique)" by Doctors John R. Mehall, E. William Schneeberger, and Randall K. Wolf, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
AATS Has Added a Valuable New Resource
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) has made available on its website the Annual Meeting Program books in their entirety from the eleventh meeting (1928) to 2006. Also available are complete lists of past officers, basic science lecturers, honored guest lecturers, and AATS award recipients. Beginning with the 2002 Annual meeting, the Presidential addresses are also included. What a valuable resource for the cardiothoracic community!
EACTS Thoracic Surgical Meetings
As part of the EACTS Programme of Thoracic Surgical Meetings we are pleased to announce two educational courses:
1st EACTS Course on Thoracic Robotic Surgery, Bern, Switzerland, 1-3 February, 2007. Organised by R.A. Schmid and F. Melfi. Content: Theoretical issues on robotic surgery in the chest and Hands on large animal studies of Thymectomy and Lobectomy
Advanced Techniques in Thoracic Surgery, Venice, Italy, 8-10 March 2007. Local organizer: F. Rea. Topics: Tracheal Stenosis, Carinal Resection, Bronchial and Vascular Sleeve Resection, Lung Transplantation and Bronchial Anastomosis, Bronchial Stump Fistula, Mesothelioma, Pectus Excavatum. For further details, please visit the EACTS website.
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.
ACS 2007 Jacobson Award
Dr. William S. Pierce of Hershey Medical Center will receive the prestigious American College of Surgeons Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson II Promising Investigator Award for 2007. This award has been established to recognize outstanding surgeons engaged in research advancing the art and science of surgery. One award is made annually by the ACS Surgical Research Committee, and is accompanied by an honorarium.
EACTS International Co-operation Committee
Read the interesting report on Humanitarian Efforts of the EACTS by Dr. Marko Turina.
MEDTRONIC ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF NEW CARDIOBLATE(r) NAVIGATOR(tm) TISSUE DISSECTOR
Navigation that Stands Alone
Medtronic continues to chart the course for surgical ablation with the release of the Navigator(tm) Tissue Dissector. The Navigator device complements Medtronic's Cardioblate(r) family of bipolar solutions with enabling technology for stand-alone procedures. The device is a handheld, sterile blunt dissection device. The device's battery-powered light source is used to navigate soft tissue for identification of the tip location around anatomic structures.
Controversies in Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Controversies in Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, a new online CME symposium featuring an interactive discussion between John D. Puskas, MD, Hasam H. Balkhy, MD and Niloo M. Edwards, MD, is now available in the Symposia section of the Industry Forum. This symposium took place June 9, 2006 during the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery's (ISMICS) annual meeting in San Francisco, California. The activity is jointly sponsored by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Imprint Science and supported is by an educational grant from Boston Scientific.
"New Paradigms Guiding the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation"
"New Paradigms Guiding the Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation" a Symposium presented at the 2006 meeting of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) in San Francisco. Participants were Doctors W. Randolph Chitwood, moderator and speaker, Ralph Damiano, Wiley Nifong and Ralph Lazzara. The symposium was sponsored by an educational grant from Cryocath Technologies, Inc.
Medtronic Charts the Course for New, Stand-Alone Technologies
With the experience of over 50,000 surgical ablation cases, Medtronic looks forward to offering new solutions -- from concomitant to stand-alone -- to help you navigate with more tools to treat more patients.
From a rich history of dedication to efficacy, science and innovation, you can look to Medtronic to blaze a new trail in minimally invasive technologies - coming fall of 2006.
The orifice of a normal mitral valve is kidney-shaped and its transverse diameter is 33 percent greater than its anteroposterior diameter. In some diseased mitral valves, the annulus deforms so the anteroposterior diameter becomes equal to or greater than the transverse diameter altering the natural 3:4 ratio and resulting in mitral valve insufficiency [1].
The CG Future® COMPOSITE Ring is the first composite design to offer semi-rigid posterior remodeling of the mitral valve with a flexible anterior segment seamlessly connects to the ring's semi-rigid posterior, allows for easy and secure anchoring to the trigones and provides the support needed to dynamically remodel the annulus and thereby allowing physiologic movement throughout the cardiac cycle. For more information (link to CG Future® COMPOSITE Annuloplasty Ring brochure)
1. Deloche A, Relland JYM, Fabiani JN, et. al. Valve Repair with Carpentier Techniques: The Second Decade. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1990;99:990-1002.
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.
"The Perils of Pioneering" by Ralph J. Lewis, MD, Basking Ridge, NJ, USA. Read the thoughts of a surgical innovator.
CTSNet is pleased to announce that we are now using the Flash Video format for an improved viewing experience. You can make sure you have the latest Flash Player installed by visiting the Flash Player Download Center.
"Surgical Treatment of Multiple Intra-Cardiac and Pulmonary Artery Tumor Implants Embolic from Uterine Intravascular Leiomyomatosis" by Doctors Raul Garcia Rinaldi, Jose Perez Hernandez, Alma R. Corbala, Rene Aponte and Maria Plaza, all from the Advanced Cardiology Center and Ponce School of Medicine, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
- The Cardiac Literature Watch for the second quarter of 2006 is now posted. Editors are Drs. Eric Okum of Chicago, Illinois, and Domenico Pagano, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Cardiac
- "Valve Sparing Aortic Replacement - Root Remodelling" by Hans-Joachim Schäfers, MD, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Congenital
- "Superior Cavopulmonary Anastomosis: The Hemi-Fontan and Bidirectional Glenn" by Glenn J. Pelletier, MD and Marshall L. Jacobs, MD, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, USA. A commentary by Section Editor Carl L. Backer, Chicago, accompanies the article.
- "Acquired Left Ventricle to Right Atrial Shunt (Gerbode Defect) and Massive Pulmonary Embolus" by Hideki Tatewaki, MD, Joseph P. Alesnik, MD and David L. S. Morales, MD, all of the Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- "The Novalung® iLA membrane ventilator: technical aspects" by Stefan Fischer, MD, PhD, and Martin Strueber, MD, PhD, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
- "Chest Wall Invasion from Metastatic Chordoma" by Doctors Christopher B. Komanapalli, Michael Wheatley, Mithran S. Sukumar, and Robin Sterin, PA-C, all of Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA.
SCTS Now Accepting Abstracts for 2007 Annual Meeting
The Society for Cardiothoracic Surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS) is now accepting Abstracts for 2007 Annual Meeting to be held March 11-14 in Manchester, UK. ABSTRACT DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 5, 2006.
Looking to the Future: STS Scholarship for Aspiring Cardiothoracic Surgeons
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and its Workforce on Graduate Medical Education are pleased to announce the 2007 Looking to the Future Scholarship Program, designed for second, third, and fourth year general surgery residents. The scholarship seeks to identify and encourage general surgery residents who are considering but are not yet committed to a career in cardiothoracic surgery.
Fifteen scholarships will be awarded and will cover the registration fees to the STS 43rd Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, January 29 - 31, 2007, as well as reimbursement of up to $1,000 in travel and hotel expenses. Each scholarship winner will be assigned a mentor to assist in planning a schedule of educational programming, to answer questions and to facilitate introductions. Scholarship awardees will also have the opportunity to participate at no cost in Tech-Con, a program on emerging therapies and new technologies in cardiothoracic surgery, held January 27 - 28, 2007. In addition, special events will be available for scholarship recipients throughout the Annual Meeting.
Program Directors are encouraged to nominate general surgery residents from their institutions who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery. (Note: There can be only one scholarship nominee from each institution.) Program Directors are asked to provide a letter, on university letterhead, giving a brief description of the candidate's strengths and qualities. The scholarship candidate should submit a separate letter or e-mail (no more than one page) addressing his or her interest in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, why he or she is interested in attending the STS Annual Meeting, and how this experience might help the applicant achieve his or her career goals. Applicants must also complete an application form at www.sts.org. Resumes and CVs are optional. Scholarship recipients will also be expected to provide a brief follow-up letter with comments on the value of the experience and how this scholarship program might be improved. In addition, they may be asked in the future to participate in activities with the program and/or STS, and to provide follow-up information concerning their career plans.
Please send in the appropriate materials no later than November 3, 2006. Scholarship awardees will be announced November 21, 2006. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Puckett at (312) 202-5819.
Materials should be sent to:
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Looking to the Future Scholarship Program
Attn: Nancy Puckett
633 N. Saint Clair St., #2320
Chicago, IL 60611
FAX: 312/202-5829
E-MAIL: residents@sts.org
SAVE THE DATE. The STS 43rd Annual Meeting will be held January 29-31, 2007 in San Diego. Meeting attendees will learn about the latest developments in cardiothoracic surgery while earning CME credits. The meeting also includes abstracts and poster presentations by presenters renowned worldwide in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Educational programs on practice management, patient safety, advocacy and more are also scheduled, along with over 150 exhibitors of the latest technology. Plan to attend Tech-Con 2007 on January 27 and 28, followed by the STS 43rd Annual Meeting, with the popular STS University on January 31.
The 87th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery will be held May 5-9, 2007 in Washington, DC. ABSTRACT DEADLINE is October 10, 2006. For information, contact Megan Tainer; Phone: 978-927-8330; Fax: 978-524-0498; E-Mail: mtainer@prri.com.
AATS Postgraduate Course: Valvular Heart Disease 2007 will be held September 7-9, 2007 in Chicago, IL. This unique 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.
NEWERA CARDIAC CARE RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
NEWERA CARDIAC CARE RESIDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
For cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology residents in good standing, three levels of scholarships are available to attend the 10th Annual NewEra Cardiac Care Conference, January 5 - 7, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach, California. Fifteen scholarships are available:
- Five scholarships, sponsored by Edwards Lifesciences, include a full tuition waiver, complimentary hotel accommodations for three nights at the conference hotel, and a personal visit to the Edwards facility.
- Five scholarships include a full tuition waiver and complimentary hotel accommodations for two nights at the conference hotel.
- Five scholarships include a full tuition waiver only.
All recipients must arrange and pay for their own travel.
To be considered for any of the above scholarships, the applicant must submit to Susan Westwood (susan@amainc.com) a current CV and nomination letter from his or her resident director.
In addition, to be considered for the Edwards-sponsored scholarship, each applicant must submit a topic that he or she would present to Edwards in twenty minutes in one of the following areas: (a) an area of unmet clinical need, the prevalence of that need, and potential ways to address it; (b) an area of personal research and its importance to the clinical community; or (c) an idea for a product or product improvement and what issue it addresses.
The deadline for scholarship applications is NOVEMBER 15, 2006. The Program Committee will choose the scholarship recipients, and applicants will be notified of their decision by December 1, 2006. For additional information, visit www.amainc.com, call 805.541.3118, or email susan@amainc.com.
"Look at Our Past and Challenge Your Future with Clinical Excellent and Commitments to Discovery and Innovation" by Timothy J. Gardner, MD, Christiana Health Care Systems, Wilmington, DE, USA.
Announcement for readers of the Multimedia Manual of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MMCTS)
As a convenience for readers, the Multimedia Manual of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MMCTS) can now be accessed from the Books Home Page (as before), and also from the Journals Home Page (new).
New content is being added each month. A total of 73 scientific articles are now available. Visit the site frequently to keep abreast of the latest techniques in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.
Adult Cardiac
Barnes BJ, Kirkland EA, Howard PA, Grauer DW, Gorton ME, Kramer JB, Muehlebach GF, Reed WA. Risk-Stratified Evaluation of Amiodarone to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1332-1337.
Thoracic
Dominguez-Ventura A, Allen MS, Cassivi SD, Nichols FC, Deschamps C, Pairolero PC. Lung Cancer in Octogenarians: Factors Affecting Morbidity and Mortality After Pulmonary Resection. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1175-1179.
Congenital Cardiac
Kim S-J, Kim W-H, Lim HG, Lee C-H, Lee JY. Improving Results of the Fontan Procedure in Patients With Heterotaxy Syndrome. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1245-1251.
Articles of Interest:
Sade R. "Surgical Research or Comic Opera" Redux. Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1173-1174.
Adult Cardiac Surgery
Yanai Ben-Gal, Rephael Mohr, Gideon Uretzky, Benjamin Medalion, Alberto Hendler, Natalie Hansson, Itzhak Herz, and Yaron Moshkovitz. Drug-eluting stents versus arterial myocardial revascularization in patients with diabetes mellitus.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;132:861-866.
Congenital Heart Disease
Darren H. Freed, Charlene M.T. Robertson, Reginald S. Sauve, Ari R. Joffe, Ivan M. Rebeyka, David B. Ross, John D. Dyck. The Western Canadian Complex Pediatric Therapies Project Follow-up Group.
Intermediate-term outcomes of the arterial switch operation for transposition of great arteries in neonates: Alive but well?
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;132:845-852.
Thoracic Surgery
K. Robert Shen, Stephen D. Cassivi, Claude Deschamps, Mark S. Allen, Francis C. Nichols, III, W. Scott Harmsen, and Peter C. Pairolero. Surgical treatment of tumors of the proximal stomach with involvement of the distal esophagus: A 26-year experience with Siewert type III tumors.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;132:755-762.
Other Interesting Topics:
The October issue features the Presidential Address 2003 from Dr. Joel Cooper, in which he describes the proud heritage of cardiothoracic surgery and the particular privileges and responsibilities of those who have chosen an academic career in surgery. Dr. Douglas Murphy and colleagues describe the results of their study of the safety and efficacy of endoscopic mitral valve surgery using robotic instruments through the lateral right chest. Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood's editorial, "Our destination and our destiny: Real endoscopic cardiac surgery", puts these results in perspective. Dr. Ben-Gal and colleagues report on the midterm clinical outcome of patients with diabetes who receive drug-eluting stents compared with those who have arterial myocardial revascularization.
EJCTS October Announcements
ICVTS - October issue is live. Join-in the ICVTS on-line discussion and then see your citable comments published in the print journal.
EJCTS - November issue is now live, including 3 CME activities
MMCTS - now has 73 surgical procedures on-line, and new contributions are being added each month.
A Note from Dr. Ludwig von Segesser, Editor of Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery (ICVTS)
ICVTS is EACTS' OPEN-ACCESS journal and there are NO AUTHORSHIP CHARGES. You are cordially invited to join-in with the interactive discussion at ICVTS. The accepted papers for ICVTS volume 5/issue 6 (December 2006) have now been posted on the website and are open for discussion, see: http://icvts.ctsnetjournals.org/papbyrecent.dtl To submit an eComment for a particular article in the listing, open it then simply click on the link 'eComments: submit' which appears in the content box to the right of the article Abstract or PDF proof. To respond to a specific eComment simply click on the link which appears to its left. We would be delighted if you could look at the papers posted and contribute any appropriate 'eComments' - your comments will be citable, posted on-line and subsequently published in print in ICVTS volume 5/issue 6. To submit an article to ICVTS: http://submit-ejcts.ctsnetjournals.org/ Many thanks for your support, interest and cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
Ludwig von Segesser - Editor-in-Chief ICVTS
Richard M. Peters, 1922-2006
Richard Morse Peters was born in New Haven February 21, 1922, and he died in Palo Alto, California on September 1, 2006. At Yale he was a varsity swimmer when that champion team was the foremost among colleges, and thereafter he earned his MD cum laude in 1945. He trained in general and thoracic surgery at Washington University, St. Louis, under the tutelage of the much admired Evarts Graham.
Richard Peters, or Dick as he was known to his friends, became Assistant Professor of Surgery and Head of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of North Carolina. There he studied the effects of pulmonary mechanics and inspired gas concentration on airway resistance and distribution of blood flow to the lungs. He also pioneered the first intensive care unit (ICU) for postoperative surgical patients in the United States. Consistent with Dick's social conscience, this ICU became the first desegregated ward of the North Carolina Memorial Hospital. In addition, he initiated a unique post graduate curriculum in bioengineering. In 1959, at the age of 37, he was promoted to Professor.
In 1969 Dick became Professor of Surgery and Bioengineering at the new University of California at San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine and the founding Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He achieved wide recognition for his work at UCSD where he applied automated techniques to monitoring the respiratory and cardiac function of patients in the ICU. Because of the originality and high quality of his work, it was supported by the NIH for over thirty years.
Dick Peters was an outstanding educator, caring intensely about medical students, and especially about the quality of education offered to residents in Thoracic Surgery. In 1980 he stimulated formation of an informal small group that addressed the issue of how to arrest the withering of general thoracic surgery. That group became the Liaison Committee of the American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS); it offered recommendations concerning the organization of faculty, facilities, curriculum, and resident case load needed to maintain and to strengthen general thoracic surgery. The recommendations were supported by AATS President Donald Paulson in 1981 and formalized in 1984. Dick Peters correctly wrote, "(T)he vigorous prodding of (this) vocal group of general thoracic surgeons" did in time initiate changes which provided a basis for renaissance in the subspecialty. Thanks in significant part to Dick Peters, general thoracic surgery is now again strong.
In his quiet way, Dick Peters was an effective activist. In 1987 he presciently alerted the profession to a forthcoming crisis in recruitment to the specialty's training programs. He favored high quality education before starting thoracic surgery residency in order to allow the residency to focus on the specialty. He foresaw the need to consider fewer prerequisite years in general surgery and shortening residencies in cardiothoracic surgery. Before others, he recognized that "alternative paths" in cardiac and general thoracic surgery were needed with enrichment of each of the two subdivisions. He warned of the harmful influence of medical student debt, and noted this among the factors which were driving top quality students from thoracic surgery. He perceived that the increasing length of cardiothoracic education was increasing "servitude" without compensatory increase in "quality". He insisted that lengthening of cardiothoracic training programs should be only to improve education and not to provide service. He pleaded for us to care about such matters.
When Dr. Peters retired from UCSD School of Medicine in 1989 he had published over two hundred and fifty articles and a truly classic book on respiratory mechanics. He had served as senior editor of five text books including one published in China, and had contributed numerous chapters to many books. His editorial and committee duties were important and multiple. He was frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally, especially on respiratory mechanics, cardiac function, ICU computer monitoring, electronic health records, and appropriate use of intravenous fluids in acute care and trauma management.
Dick Peters was a model of a socially responsible citizen. Despite his consuming involvement in surgery, research, writing and teaching, he found time actively to promote racial desegregation, civil liberties and social justice. He advocated universal health insurance for Americans. He and his wife, Ann Peters, along with others on the Chapel Hill School Board, labored successfully to desegregate the public schools. This became the first system in the South to be desegregated.
Dick was a well rounded man who loved his family and was loyal and supportive to his friends and his students. He enjoyed sailing and skiing. He relaxed especially in later years by fly fishing for trout in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, and skiing at Mammoth and Deer Valley with close friends. He was a wonderful human being and a superb colleague who will be remembered with warmth and deep appreciation.
John R. Benfield, MD
Hermes C. Grillo, MD
The authors appreciate having received included information that was provided by Barbara A. Peters, MD
EACTS Officers and Councillors 2006-2007
At the recently concluded EACTS meeting in Stockholm, a new slate of officers and councillors was elected.
President: Siegfried Hagl 2006-2007
Vice President: Paul Sergeant 2006-2007
Secretary General: Bruce Keogh 2003-2009
Treasurer: Jose Pomar 1999-2008
Editor-in-Chief: Ludwig von Segesser 2000-2010
Information Officer: Raffaele De Simone 2006-2009
Past President: Tom Treasure 2006-2007
Councillors: Ottavio Alfieri 2006-2009
Juan Comas 2004-2007
Stefano Elia 2004-2007
Andrew S. Wechsler 2006-2009
Pieter Kappetein 2004-2007
Ralph A. Schmid 2004-2007
European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Officers 2006-2007
At the recently concluded EACTS/ESTS meeting in
President: Richard G. Berrisford
President elect: Gaetano Rocco
Treasurer: Michael Mueller
Information for the 2007 meeting.
- October 31, 2006: 53RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR THORACIC SURGEONS, Jaipur, India.
- November 1, 2006: STEM CELL THERAPY FOR THE FAILING HEART, Bangkok, Thailand.
- November 5, 2006: SOCIETY FOR CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, Manchester, UK.
- November 15, 2006: NEWERA CARDIAC CARE: INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, Huntington Beach, California.
- December 15, 2006: 17TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH IN CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, Geilo Norway.
- December 18, 2006: ISMICS, Rome, Italy.
- December 21, 2006: 12TH EUROPEAN CONGRESS ON EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCULATION TECHNOLOGY, Kyiv, Ukraine.
- January 8, 2007: WESTERN THORACIC SURGICAL ASSOCIATION, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.
- January 20, 2007: The EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIO-VASCULAR SURGERY (ESCVS), Venice, Italy.
- January 25, 2007: SAN DIEGO CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY SYMPOSIUM, San Diego, California.
- January 31, 2007: THE SOCIETY FOR HEART VALVE DISEASE, New York, NY.
- January 31, 2007: THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PEDIATRIC MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND PEDIATRIC CARDIOPULMONARY PERFUSION, Hershey, PA.
- February 1, 2007: The EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON GENERAL THORACIC SURGERY (organized by the ESTS) Leuven, Belgium.
- February 15, 2007: ASIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY, Beijing, China.
- February 15, 2007: XXVth MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OF CARDIAC SURGEONS, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
- February 16, 2007: THE CATALAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY, Barcelona, Spain.
- March 15, 2007: 5TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON INTENSIVE CARDIAC CARE, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- April 1, 2007: 21ST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY, Geneva, Switzerland.
More meeting abstract deadlines are available.
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; E-mail: ecmoinc@aol.com or isect@aol.com.
TURKISH CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY SOCIETY
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/.
53rd Southern Thoracic Surgical Association Meeting
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, 633 North St. Clair, Suite 2320, Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: 800-685-7872; FAX: 312-202-5801; E-Mail: stsa@stsa.org
11TH CONGRESS OF THE BELGIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY
The meeting of the BELGIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY will be held November 18, 2006, in Brussels, Belgium. Deadline for abstract submission: AUGUST 1, 2006.
3rd Congress of the Romanian Society of Cardiovascular Surgery
The 3rd Congress of the Romanian Society of Cardiovascular Surgery will take place November 9-11, 2006, at the International Conference Center in Sinaia, Romania. The deadline for abstract submission is October 10, 2006.
Organizer of the Congress: Romanian Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (RSCVS), in collaboration with the Romanian Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Therapy (RSAIT). Under the patronage of the Romanian Scientists Academy and of the Romanian Academy of Medical Sciences. Professional Congress Organizer: RALCOM EXHIBITIONS.
For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us at Congresses and Exhibitions Office20A Raspantiilor Str., 020548, Bucharest-2, Romania.; Ph./Fax: +40-21-2106540, 2122702, 2113060, 2111541. e-mail: inscriere@srccvcongress.ro For more information; For registration.
SURGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE MEDIASTINUM
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.
A Congress titled "20 Years DHZB-20 years of progress made in Berlin" will be held November 24-25, 2006, at the Maritim Hotel Berlin, Stauffenbergstraße 26, 10785 Berlin, Germany. Abstract Submission Deadline: October 30, 2006. For further information contact S. Hübler MD, MBA; Tel.: 0049/30/4593 2201; Fax: 0049/30/4593 2332; Email 20years@dhzb.de
EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF EOSPHAGOLOGY (ESE)
The Annual Meeting of the EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF EOSPHAGOLOGY (ESE) will be held November 30-December 2, 2006 in Leuven, Belgium. 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/.
CZECH SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY
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
HEART FAILURE HOLIDAY SYMPOSIUM
The 2nd Annual HEART FAILURE HOLIDAY SYMPOSIUM will be held December 1-3, 2006 in Chicago, IL. For more information contact: Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Office of CME, 303 E Chicago Ave, Ward 1-027, Chicago, IL 60611. Phone: 312-503-8533; email: nums-cme@northwestern.edu.
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 2006, 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.
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
EUROECHO 10, the Tenth Annual Meeting of the EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, December 6-9, 2006, 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.
Fourth International Combined Live Symposium - Focus on Congenital Cardiac Surgery
The Fourth International Combined Live Symposium - Focus on Congenital Cardiac Surgery - will be held December 14-15, 2006, at the German Heart Center in Munich, Germany. This symposium combines the talents of the Heart Centers in Munich and Leipzig, Germany, and the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK. For more information.
Central Organizing Office / Contact: Trendhouse EventMarketing GmbH, Mrs. Astrid Schormann,
Osterwaldstrasse 10, 80805 Munich, Germany; E-Mail: a.schormann@trendhouse.de; Phone: +49 (0)89-368 498-0; Fax: +49 (0)89-368 498-88
PAKISTAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR & THORACIC SURGEONS
The 6th Biennial International Conference of PAKISTAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR & THORACIC SURGEONS will be held December 14-17, 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
AORTIC SURGERY "HOW TO DO IT" II
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.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
NEWERA CARDIAC CARE 10: INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
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.
STS 2007 Annual Meeting
SAVE THE DATE. The STS 43rd Annual Meeting will be held January 29-31, 2007 in San Diego!
Meeting attendees will learn about the latest developments in cardiothoracic surgery while earning CME credits. The meeting also includes abstracts and poster presentations by presenters renowned worldwide in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Educational programs on practice management, patient safety, advocacy and more are also scheduled, along with over 150 exhibitors of the latest technology. Plan to attend Tech-Con 2007 on January 27 and 28, exhibits are open January 28-30, followed by the STS 43rd Annual Meeting, with the popular STS University on January 31.
MARCH
1st EACTS Course on Thoracic Robotic Surgery
1st EACTS Course on Thoracic Robotic Surgery, Bern, Switzerland, 1-3 February, 2007. Organised by R.A. Schmid and F. Melfi. Content: Theoretical issues on robotic surgery in the chest and Hands on large animal studies of Thymectomy and Lobectomy. For information, see www.eacts.org or contact the EACTS Executive Secretariat, 3 Park Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LU, UK; Phone: +44 1753 832166; FAX: +44 1753 620407; Email: info@eacts.co.uk
Scandinavian Society for Research in CardioThoracic Surgery (SSRCTS)
The 17th Annual Meeting of the Scandinavian Society for Research in CardioThoracic Surgery (SSRCTS) will be held 8 - 10 February 2007 at the Norlandia Geilo Hotel, Geilo Norway. Abstract submission deadline: 15 December 2006. For information, contact: J. Michael Hasenkam, Dept. of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, DK-8200 Aarhus N; Phone: ++4589495480; Fax: ++4589496016; Email: hasenkam@ki.au.dk; Additional information: http://www.ssrcts.org
Advanced Techniques in Thoracic Surgery
Advanced Techniques in Thoracic Surgery, Venice, Italy, 8-10 March 2007. Local organizer: F. Rea. Topics: Tracheal Stenosis, Carinal Resection, Bronchial and Vascular Sleeve Resection, Lung Transplantation and Bronchial Anastomosis, Bronchial Stump Fistula, Mesothelioma, Pectus Excavatum. For information, see www.eacts.org or contact the EACTS Executive Secretariat, 3 Park Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LU, UK, Phone: +44 1753 832166, Fax: +44 1753 620407, Email: info@eacts.co.uk
SOCIETY FOR CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY IN GB & IRELAND (SCTS)
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. Abstracts may be submitted after September 1, 2006. 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 25, 2007. For further information, please email Susan Westwood at susan@amainc.com.
25TH INTERNATIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR SURGICAL SYMPOSIUM
The International Cardiovascular Surgical Symposium Annual meeting will be held March 9-10 2007 in Zurs/Arlberg Austria at the Hotel Robinson Select Alpenrose Zürs. Abstract submission DEADLINE: 15 January 2007. For information, contact: European Heart Institute Mönchsberg 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Phone: +43-699-10510497. Fax: +43-662-841343; Email: congress@herzchirurgie.at.
CURRENT CONTROVERSIES IN VALVE MANAGEMENT
Dr. Vinay Badhwar and Dr. Randolph P. Martin are co-chairing the first Annual Florida Valve Symposium - "CURRENT CONTROVERSIES IN VALVE MANAGEMENT" to be held March 28-30, 2007 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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 - MAY
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.
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
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
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 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.
Abstract Submission Deadline: February 15, 2007
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: March 15, 2007
Pre-congress Registration Deadline: March 31, 200
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
January 20, 2007 Abstract submission deadline
February 8, 2007 Notification of Abstract acceptance
March 1, 2007 Low pre-registration fee
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. For information/registration, please contact Harvard Medical School, Division of Continuing Education (617) 384-8600.
SUMMER AND FALL
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.
The INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY (ISMICS) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary during its Annual Scientific Meeting scheduled 6-9 June 2007 at the Aurelia Convention Centre & Expo in Rome, Italy. Special guest speakers will address the rapid development and innovation in techniques and technology over the past 10 years and provide insight into the direction technology is taking in the future. The scientific meeting will feature original research presentations, panel discussions, post graduation education and much more. Visit the website for information on abstract submission, meeting registration, hotel reservations and links to Rome visitor 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. ABSTRACTS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED. Submission is only online at the Society's web site. ABSTRACT DEADLINE: 31st January 2007. SHVD Executive Secretariat: Heart Science Centre, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex. UB9 6JH United Kingdom. Telephone: 44 (0)1895-828977; Facsimile: 44 (0)1895-828902; Email: secretariat@shvd.org
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.
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.
Abstract Submission Opens: November 13, 2006
Abstract Submission Deadline: January 8, 2007
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.
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.
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
CTSNET and EACTS Booths at Upcoming Meetings
Both CTSNet and EACTS will be represented at the 9th National Congress of the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery 1-5 November 2006 in Belek/Antalya, Turkey. Come by the booth to say hello and have your picture taken.
EACTS and CTSNet will exhibit at the 2nd Congress of the Czech Society for Cardiovascular Surgery 30 November - 1 December 2006 in Brno, Czech Republic.
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.
Thomas B. Ferguson, M.D.
Senior Editor
Carol L. Blasberg
Managing Editor
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