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Monthly Newsletter - September 2008

Table of Contents

What's New Industry Forum Books In My Opinion Clinical Resources Expert Techniques Videos

Organizations Residents Journals Transitions Abstract Deadlines Upcoming Meetings Member Section

What's New

CTSNet Announces the Launching of New Portal - Endovascular

In keeping with our goal of providing up-to-date information for our readers, it was recognized some time ago that the practice of cardiothoracic surgery is changing in a variety of ways. Many of these changes - minimally invasive and robotic surgery, for example - are being addressed in the existing Cardiac, Congenital and Thoracic Portals. But changes in the practice patterns of CT surgeons have heightened their interest in learning endovascular techniques and procedures. With this in mind, the concept of an Endovascular Portal site was developed. The chief architect and prime mover of this concept is Ali Khoynezhad, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Nebraska affiliated with the Endovascular and Aortic Surgery Program. Two years in production, this site represents a new direction for CTSNet, but we believe is an important way of supporting our participants around the world as they explore new directions in clinical practice.

We are very indebted to Dr. Khoynezhad, not only for his hard work to date, but to his commitment as Editor to guide this Portal into the future. The following is a quote from his statement on the Portals home page:

"The [Endovascular] Portal includes familiar tools for CTSNet community such as endovascular case collection, literature watch, endovascular journals and endovascular associations. Furthermore, it includes a few novel tools: "Nuts and Bolts" gives an overview of basics of endovascular procedures such as imaging, wires, catheters, balloons, sheaths, and various vascular accesses. "Procedures 101" is a basic description of most common endovascular procedures and it entails indications for interventions, operative steps, preference card, tips and common pitfalls as well as references. "Evolving Technology" on the other side, has the description of non-FDA approved and investigational procedures that are currently performed in a few institutions under trial protocols.

The Portal has been a work in progress over the last two years to populate the current content. As in any endeavor, the success of the Endovascular Portal will not only rely on the efforts of the Editorial Board but ultimately on the input and contributions from the surgical/interventional community. So I welcome your enthusiastic future support in making this Portal a unique source of information for endovascular specialists worldwide."

We also encourage you to read the Endovascular Portal Mission Statement.

And we also encourage you to use and contribute to this Portal. Only in this way will it flourish.

JTCVS Announces Open Access to Back Issues

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) is happy to announce that The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (JTCVS) has implemented an open access policy. To further the Association’s goal of education in and advancement of cardiothoracic surgery, all Journal articles on CTSNet older than three years will be open to the public, without subscription barriers.

New Cardiac Video - September 2008

"Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement Utilizing Minimal Extracorporeal Circulation System"
by Alaaddin Yilmaz, MD, Saint Antonius Hospital, Netherlands and Atiq Rehman, MD, Magnolia Regional Health Center, Corinth, Mississippi USA.

Severe Diaphragmatic Eventration

Severe Diaphragmatic Eventration is the Clinical Case of the Month. It is presented by Doctors Domenico Calcaterra, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, and Jeremiah Martin and John Federico, both at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, Connecticut.

Congenital Video - September 2008

"Off Pump Repair of a Pulmonary Artery Sling" by Mohamed-Adel Fetouh Elgamal, MD, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mansoura University Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura Egypt.

CTSNet Resident Section Editorial Board Named

EDITOR
Michael E. Halkos, MD

CO-EDITOR
Tom C. Nguyen, MD             

PAST EDITOR
Vinod Thourani, MD

MEMBERS
Akinobu Itoh, MD
William Brent Keeling, MD      
Jefferson M. Lyons, MD         
Stephen H. McKellar, MD
Ioannis E. Platis, MD
T. Brett Reece, MD
Eric L. Sarin, MD              
Elizabeth H. Stephens, BS
Gilbert H. L. Tang, MD
Vinod Thourani, MD

ADVISORY
Thomas B. Ferguson, MD
Walter H. Merrill, MD
W. Gerald Rainer, MD
Robert L. Replogle, MD
Curt Tribble, MD

SCTS Now Accepting Abstracts for 2009 Annual Meeting

The Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS) is now receiving abstracts for their 2009 Annual Meeting being held March 22-24, 2009 at Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth United Kingdom. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5 NOVEMBER, 2008. To submit an abstract.

Cardiac Surgery programme of EuroPCR 2008

Cardiac Surgeons and Cardiologists are finally working together to achieve more, as we enter a new era of collaboration. A selection of videos from the Cardiac Surgery programme of EuroPCR 2008 is available here.  For more information.

New Officers - EACTS

At the 22nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery in Lisbon 13-17 September 2008 the following Council members were elected:

President
 Erino A. Rendina
Vice President
 Pascal R. Vouhe
Past President
 Paul T. Sergeant
Secretary General
 A. Pieter Kappetein
Treasurer
 Ralph A. Schmid
Editor
 Ludwig Karl von Segesser
Councillor
 Ottavio R. Alfieri
Domain Chair
 Juan V. Comas
Councillor
 Raffaele De Simone
Domain Chair
 Martin Grabenwoger
Councillor
 Bohdan Maruszewski
Domain Chair
 Jose L. Pomar
Councillor
 Paul E. Van Schil
Domain Chair
 Tom Treasure
Councillor
 Andrew S. Wechsler
 
The next Annual Meeting of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery will be held 17 – 21 October 2009 at the Austria Centre, Vienna Austria.

Medtronic 2008 Coding Resource for Cardiothoracic Procedures

In an effort to support cardiothoracic surgeons in their practice, Medtronic provides resources to assist with coding, coverage, and reimbursement for therapies. Medtronic has developed a 2008 Coding Resource for Selected Cardiothoracic Surgical Procedures. This booklet includes the commonly billed hospital codes for Adult Open Heart Surgical Procedures. The booklet is available for download.

Meeting on Cardiac and Pulmonary Regeneration

The First Meeting on Cardiac and Pulmonary Regeneration, sponsored by the EACTS Academy, will be held 28–29 November 2008 at the Bellevue Palace Hotel, Bern, Switzerland.

The 1st Annual Regeneration meeting is dedicated to the emerging field of regenerative medicine for the heart and lung. During this comprehensive conference, leaders in the field will convene to present their work, experiences, and opinions to address some of the key issues of the field.

This meeting will highlight the cutting-edge research in the field. It will bring together junior and senior scientists representing all aspects of cardio-thoracic regeneration research. We have selected a great panel of experts from the cardiovascular regeneration field as well as leading experts in pulmonary repair and regeneration.

The following session topics will be covered:

Homing and engraftment of progenitor cells
Cell therapy: basic and clinical aspects
Clinically relevant stem cell populations
Angiogenesis in the heart and lung
Novel approaches for cardiovascular regeneration
Cell therapy for the lung

Scientific Programme          
Registration is open online 

21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure: Synchronizing Surgical and Medical Therapies for Better Outcomes

The 21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure: Synchronizing Surgical and Medical Therapies for Better Outcomes will be held October 16-18, 2008, at the Intercontinental Hotel and Bank of America Conference Center, Cleveland Ohio USA.

The Kaufman Center for Heart Failure at Cleveland Clinic in cooperation with The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) are pleased to provide an educational event for all health care providers who specialize in the treatment of heart failure. Three of America’s leading cardiovascular specialty organizations have come together to address the growing problem of heart failure and together they offer the most advanced review of the current and future medical and surgical treatments for this disease. This symposium will feature presentations by leading experts in cardiovascular medicine and cardiac surgery.   

For more information, faculty, agenda and registration.

For hotel accommodations.

TSRA Executive Committee

The following members were elected to the Executive Committee at a recent meeting of the Thoracic Surgical Residents Association (TSRA):

President
Bret A. Mettler

Vice-President
Sreekumar Subramanian

Secretary
Joseph W. Turek

Past-President
Faraz Kerendi

Executive Committee
Chadrick E. Denlinger 
Peter Ellman   
Daniel Fortes   
Michael E. Halkos
Rishi M. Reddy   
T. Brett Reece  
Inderpal (Netu) Sarkaria
Matthias Siepe     
John Stulak            

Letter From ICVTS Editor

ICVTS is EACTS' OPEN-ACCESS journal and there are NO AUTHORSHIP CHARGES. ICVTS is cited in MEDLINE/PubMed.

You are cordially invited to join-in with the interactive discussion at ICVTS.

The accepted papers for ICVTS volume 7/issue 6 (December 2008) have now been posted on the website and are open for discussion.

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 7/issue 6. eComments will also appear in PubMed.

To submit an article to ICVTS  

Many thanks for your support, interest and cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

Ludwig von Segesser - Editor-in-Chief  ICVTS

ICVTS Editorial Office
av. Gd. St. Bernard 69B (app. 6)
CH-1920 Martigny
Switzerland

tel: +41 27 7236171
fax: +41 27 7236173
e-mail: info@ejcts.ch

Dr. Constantine Mavroudis Accepts Position at Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Constantine Mavroudis has been named New Chair of Congenital & Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He also assumes the Ronald and Helen Ross Chair in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.

Dr. Mavroudis formerly was Surgeon-in-Chief in the Department of Surgery and head of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Division at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

"This is a very exciting new beginning for me, both personally and professionally," Mavroudis commented. "It's a tremendous opportunity for me to be able to teach others in the field all that I have experienced, and I'm looking forward to starting this new chapter in my life with my family in Cleveland."

Mavroudis is widely recognized for his research and clinical expertise treating complex congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, and cardiac transplantation in children, as well as surgical correction of congenital heart complications that manifest in adulthood. He is the Editor of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, now in its third edition, and he has served as editor or co-editor for six other pediatric surgery textbooks.

Originally from Greece, he founded the Hellenic Heart Program, which brings Greek children needing cardiac surgery to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago for their procedures, as well as providing support for their families. He also plans to bring the Hellenic Heart Program to Cleveland. 

Mavroudis completed an undergraduate degree at Rutgers University and received his medical degree from the University of Virginia before completing his residency at the University of California, San Francisco.

Announcements From AATS

AATS 89TH ANNUAL MEETING

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery will host its 89th Annual Meeting from May 9 – 13, 2009 in historic Boston, Massachusetts USA.  To view the preliminary schedule, visit the AATS website. 

AATS ACADEMY

New to the Annual Meeting is the AATS Academy, an intensive, didactive and interactive program open to surgeons showing significant promise as potential future division chiefs or who have recently assumed the role of division chief. The Academy will take place on Friday, May 8, 2009 and immediately precedes the 89th Annual Meeting.

The goals of this learning opportunity include:
• To provide participants with the administrative, interpersonal, mentoring and negotiating skills necessary to serve successfully as a division chief.
• To provide an opportunity for participants to be introduced to well known thoracic surgical leaders who might subsequently serve as personal mentors.

Visit www.aats.org for the complete listing of qualifications, faculty and application information.

Applications must be submitted electronically and are due by December 1, 2008.

Academy participants will be selected by the Academy Committee and notified by February 6, 2009.

AATS ANNOUNCES A CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The Abstract Deadline for the 89th Annual Meeting is Monday, October 6, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Submission of Abstracts
Authors submitting abstracts for the 89th Annual Meeting must use electronic submission ONLY. Please visit the AATS website at www.aats.org and select the Abstract Submission Link. Specific instructions for abstract submission are located on the website, including how to submit graphics and charts.

Abstracts may be submitted for the following categories:
• Regular Session*
*If selecting regular session, submitters must choose one of the following:
o Adult Cardiovascular Surgery
o Congenital Heart Disease and Pediatric General Thoracic Surgery
o General Thoracic Surgery
• Cardiac or General Thoracic Fora (Basic or Laboratory Science)
• Emerging Technologies
• Resident Forum

For further information on the AATS Academy, submitting an abstract for consideration or the 89th Annual Meeting please contact:

American Association for Thoracic Surgery
900 Cummings Center
Suite 221-U, Beverly, MA 01915
Telephone: +1 (978) 927-8330
Fax: +1 (978) 524-8890
E-Mail: aats@prri.com
Website: www.aats.org

AATS MEETINGS AND SPONSORED EVENTS
More information can be accessed at www.aats.org

October 16 - 18, 2008
21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure: Synchronizing Surgical and Medical Therapies for Better Outcomes
Intercontinental Hotel & Bank of America Conference Center
Cleveland, Ohio

October 23 - 24, 2008
6th Triennial Brigham Cardiac Valve Symposium
Directed by R. Morton Bolman, III, M.D.
Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts

March 5, 2009
AATS/ASCVTS Post Graduate Course
Taipei International Convention Center
Taipei, Taiwan

March 6, 2009
Grantsmanship Workshop 2008
Residence Inn
Bethesda, Maryland

May 9 – 13, 2009
AATS 89th Annual Meeting
Hynes Convention Center
Boston, Massachusetts

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Industry Forum

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Books

Surgery for Congenital Heart Defects, Third Edition

Over 10 years after the publication of the second edition, Wiley now publishes the third edition of the popular volume Surgery for Congenital Heart Defects, by Mr. Jaroslav Stark, Mr. Marc de Leval, and Mr. Victor Tsang, all of London, UK.

Completely updated and expanded, this new edition describes step-by-step the surgical procedures for congenital heart defects and includes detailed illustrations for each operation, allowing surgeons to follow all operating procedures step-by-step.

New in this edition are chapters on exercise testing, MRI, EP studies and catheter ablation of arrhythmias, extracorporeal circulatory support and paediatric lung transplantation. A greatly expanded ultrasound chapter contains numerous colour Doppler’s of many conditions.

This volume is accessible through the CTSNet Bookstore at a reduced price.

New Book by CTSNet Member

The premise of "The Donation," a novel by Myles Edwin Lee MD, is that if prisoners on death row have a choice of a last meal, why can they not choose their method of execution?

As the story evolves, the result is a collision of medical ethics and hospital politics with the criminal justice system. These conflicts create the potential to erode the public's trust in its caregivers, but the potential also exists that organ donation, approved by the states as a means of execution, may benefit the public welfare in a tangible and meaningful way. Read a more complete review here, and then order your copy here.

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In My Opinion

• "A Contrarian View of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation" by Vincent A. Gaudiani, MD, Redwood City, California USA. This paper is sure to stimulate much discussion, and for your convenience access to the Readers Comment facility is right beside the article. Use it, and let's get a lively interchange going!

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Clinical Resources

Important Message for CTSNet Viewers

From time to time, we have had some difficulties with the blast mail distribution of the monthly NEWSLETTER. If you as a reader have not received your monthly issue of the Newsletter, and wish to have a copy, it can always be accessed in the NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE, found under NEWS AND VIEWS in the left index on the CTSNet home page.

CTSNet - New Site Enhancements

Three new features have been added to the website.

Image Gallery

CTSNet has added an Image Gallery feature on the home page. Random images are rotated to the home page from the Image gallery archives.  If these pique your curiosity, go to the gallery itself by clicking here. The archive location is on the home page left menu, under CLINICAL RESOURCES/ Images.

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Google Calendar

CTSNet has launched a new calendar feature using the Google web calendar to graphically display 2008 and 2009 events for all organizations. This supplements the CTSNet Event list, but provides additional help and convenience to the reader in finding information on a particular meeting. After you have located the dates of the meeting on the calendar, clicking on the name of the meeting at the top of the calendar day will display more information. Give it a try!

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Readers comments

A new interactive feature has been put in place so that CTSNet readers may comment on an individual contribution directly without going to a discussion forum to do so. At present, this feature is showcased in two places to illustrate two types of access:

(1) a cardiac expert technique article: The reader comments material is found at the bottom of the right gutter information. This will be the location for most of the content on the website. Clicking in the box will permit you to view or add comments, although for the latter you will need your ID and password. New entries will be visible within 2 minutes from time of publication on the article page.

(2) A second type of comment access is found in the Safety Reporting System section, where under each vignette name is a comment link that will access the same system detailed in (1) above.

Any organizations that would like to use the Reader Comments system for their articles should contact Robert Oberteuffer (roberte@ctsnet.org) for setup.

Going forward, each new piece of scientific content posted on CTSNet will have this comment capability available. Because of its simplicity and convenience of use, we anticipate a lot of author/reader and reader/reader interactions, an activity that should be useful and instructive to everyone. Please participate!

Expert Techniques

Thoracic

• Take the new survey on management of giant paraesophageal hiatal hernia and help us learn about current clinical practice for this problem. Access survey here.

Congenital

• Two congenital heart videos presented at the STS 2008 Annual Meeting in Ft. Lauderdale are reproduced here by permission of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. They are:

  1) Aortic Root and Mitral Valve Replacement for Destructive Endocarditis: Reconstruction of the Aorto-Mitral Curtain by Thomas Yeh, MD, Reenu S. Eapen, MD and Hisashi Nikaidoh, MD

  2) Aortic Translocation (Nikaidoh Operation) for d-TGA, VSD and Subpulmonary Stenosis by Frank A. Pigula, MD

Literature Watch

• The Congenital Literature Watch for the second quarter of 2008 is now available for use. It encompasses articles published 4/1/2008 – 6/30/2008. These articles were selected and the Watch compiled by Doctors Carl L. Backer of Chicago, Editor of the Congenital Portal, and Aditya K. Kaza, Salt Lake City, Literature Watch Section co-Editor.
• The Thoracic Literature Watch for the second quarter of 2008 is now available for use. It encompasses articles published 4/1/08– 6/30/08. These articles were selected and the Watch compiled by Dr. Mark K. Ferguson of Chicago, Editor of the Thoracic Portal.

Videos

• "Left Ventricular Apico-Aortic Conduit" by Heyman Luckraz, FRCS, Adam Szafranek, MD, Christine NH Tan, MD and Peter A. O'Keefe, FRCS, all of University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

• "Robot-Assisted Transthoracic Esophagolymphadenectomy for a Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer" by Dae Joon Kim, MD, Chang Young Lee, MD, Jin Gu Lee, MD and Seok Jin Haam, MD, Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Yonsei University Medical College, Seoul Korea (South).

New Technology

• "A New Sternal Reinforcement Device to Prevent and Treat Sternal Dehiscence" by Jacob Zeitani, MD, Tor Vergata University, Rome Italy, and Luigi Chiariello, MD Policlinico University Tor Vergata, Rome Italy.

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Organizations

Webcast of AATS 2008 Annual Meeting Now Available

The entire contents of the AATS Annual Meeting held May 2008 in San Diego is now available.

Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN) Call for Protocol Concepts

In recognition of the need for clinical evaluations in cardiac surgery the National Institutes of Health (through the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute with collaboration from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research have recently established the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN). The CTSN is a cooperative network of academic medical centers whose goal is to foster rigorous scientific comparisons and promote the evaluation of newer surgical techniques, technologies, devices, and innovative pharmaceutical and bioengineered products directed at cardiovascular disease. The CTSN is comprised of a Data Coordinating Center, The International Center for Health Outcomes and Innovation Research (InCHOIR) at Columbia University and eight Clinical Centers

o Cleveland Clinic Foundation
o Columbia University Medical Center
o Duke University/Eastern Carolinas Heart Institute
o Emory University
o Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
o Montreal Heart Institute
o University of Pennsylvania
o University of Virginia Health System

The Network has an interest in promoting collaborative interactions with the broader surgical community and consideration of clinical research ideas from colleagues in the surgical community, allied health specialties, and academic areas. To bring ideas forward for consideration by the Network, an investigator outside the network can log into the CTSN website for further information.

For more information:
Ellen Moquete, RN, BSN, Project Leader
International Center for Health Outcomes and Innovation Research
Columbia University
600 W 168th St.
New York, NY 10032
(O) 212-305-5801
(C) 646-734-7229
(F) 212-305-0906

TSFRE Research Grants and Fellowships - 2009

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education (TSFRE) is pleased to announce a new Training Fellowship and Simulation Grant available for cardiothoracic surgeons.

TSFRE/Edwards Lifesciences New and Emerging Technology Fellowship:
TSFRE has created a fellowship program to train established thoracic surgeons in new and emerging catheter and endovascular technologies. The goal of this program is to broaden training opportunities and create an avenue for thoracic surgeons to acquire or refine cross-disciplinary skills and increase proficiency with new techniques necessary in the changing thoracic surgical practice.

This award will provide support of up to $30,000 per year for each fellow to allow for travel, temporary relocation and training costs associated with the program. There should be one identified center where the Fellow will spend approximately 3 months learning new and emerging technology and skills. The Fellow will be asked to identify an individual at that center who will act as his/her sponsor and assist in planning the course of study at the host institution.

TSFRE Simulation Grants:
The Simulation Grants will support projects that demonstrate the successful application of simulation in thoracic surgery education.  The TSFRE Board of Directors has approved $100,000 total for funding of all 2009 Simulation Grants and award amounts are not specified but will depend on the number and quality of applications received with realistic budgetary justification.

As well, TSFRE continues to offer the following research grants and fellowships:

TSFRE 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 2 years are made each year to support the work of an early-career cardiothoracic surgeon (within 5 years of first faculty appointment).

TSFRE Research Fellowships:
Support of up to $35,000 a year for up to 2 years for surgical residents who have not yet completed cardiothoracic surgical training.

TSFRE Career Development Awards:
Salary support of up to $50,000 a year for up to 2 years for applicants who have completed their residency training and who wish to pursue investigative careers in cardiothoracic surgery.

Application Timeline:

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: OCTOBER 15, 2008.

Early January 2009 — applications reviewed by TSFRE’s Education or Research Committees

Late January 2009 — recommendations approved by TSFRE’s Board of Directors

TSFRE Award Announcements are made in February 2009.

For more information.                

AATS 2009 Summer Intern Scholarship

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) has launched the online application site for the 2009 Summer Intern Scholarship. The Summer Intern Scholarship program was established in 2007 to introduce the field of cardiothoracic surgery to first and second year medical students in North American medical schools. In the two years since its inception, the Summer Intern Scholarship has offered 100 medical students the opportunity to broaden their educational experience by providing scholarships to spend eight weeks during the summer working in an AATS member’s cardiothoracic surgery department. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS JANUARY 15, 2009. Applications available HERE.

Southern Thoracic Surgical Association Annual Meeting Registration

Register now for the upcoming STSA 55th Annual Meeting, to be held November 5-8, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort just outside Austin, Texas.

The Program Committee has designed a robust program that provides a balance between education, opportunity for thoughtful discussion, and time to renew friendships and experience camaraderie – all of which make the Southern so special. The resort is nestled in beautiful McKinney Roughs Nature Park and offers numerous activities and adventures for the whole family to enjoy.

Please visit the STSA Website to view the advance program and download a meeting registration form. Also posted is information about spouse/guest activities and making hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort.

The advance registration deadline is October 10, 2008. If you are unable to register by this date you may register on-site, but please note, there will be an additional $50 charge for attendees registering on-site in Austin.

Please contact STSA headquarters with any questions at 1 800-685-7872.

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Residents Section

New Editors Named for the Resident's Section

The search for an individual to become Editor of the Resident’s Section of CTSNet is now complete. Our call for applications netted a total of 14 individuals: 9 from the USA, 2 from Canada, 2 from India, and 1 from Switzerland. There were a number of very suitable candidates.

We are also beginning a new format of selecting an Associate Editor to serve concurrently with the Editor, and then automatically elevate to the post of Editor at the time of the current Editor’s retirement. A new Associate Editor will be appointed at that time. This new format should lighten the burden for both individuals at an already very busy time in their lives, and assure continuity in the office of Editor for the future.

After much deliberation by the Selection Committee, the position of Editor was offered to Dr. Michael Halkos of Emory, effective immediately, and terminating in 2 years.

The position of Associate Editor was offered to Dr. Tom Nguyen of Stanford. He will serve for 2 years in this capacity, and then become Editor for 2 years. A new Associate Editor will be selected at that time.

We think Michael and Tom will make a stellar team.

Happily, both these individuals have accepted their positions, and are already discussing their tasks. As in the past, the Editor (and now also the Associate Editor) will have complete control over the Resident’s Section with help and consultation of the Resident Editorial Board, CTSNet consultants, and others of their choice.

All of the members of the CTSNet Staff look forward to working with Michael and Tom, and know they have many exciting new ideas for this Section.

We also wish to note with gratitude the wonderful job done by our retiring Resident Section Editor, Dr. Vinod Thourani. Vinod served his term as Resident Editor, and then agreed to help out for another year while a staff member in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Emory. CTSNet is indebted to him in many, many ways.

New Training Film - Learn CABG

New Training Film - Learn CABG is a series of videoclips of the operative techniques used by the authors Dr. Sidney Chocron and Dr. Dimitrios Buklas, Besancon, France. Note that a version in French is also available.

New Horizons Contribution

"Residency in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery: My Viewpoint" by Siddharth Lakhotia MD, B.M. Bidla Heart and Research Centre, Calcutta, India.

Articles for the New Horizons Section of the Residents site are selected and edited by Dr. Walter H. Merrill, Cincinnati, Ohio USA.

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Journals

Annals of Thoracic Surgery - September 2008

ETHICS IN CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY

Dresler C, Cherry MJ, Sade RM.
A Clash of Rights: Should Smoking Tobacco Products in Public Places be Legally Banned?
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:699-707.
 
EDITORIAL

Jacobs JP, Haan CK, Edwards FH, Anderson RP, Grover FL, Mayer Jr JE, Chitwood Jr WR.
The Rationale for Incorporation of HIPAA Compliant Unique Patient, Surgeon, and Hospital Identifier Fields in The STS Database.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:695-698.

CME

General Thoracic Surgery

Edelman MJ, Suntharalingam M, Burrows W, Kwong KF, Mitra N, Gamliel Z, Riley M, Cooper LB, Kennedy NL, Buskirk S, Hausner P, Doyle LA, Krasna MJ.
Phase I/II Trial of Hyperfractionated Radiation and Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery in Stage III Lung Cancer.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:903-910.

Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology

Cassivi SD, Allen MS, Vanderwaerdt GD, Ewoldt LL, Cordes ME, Wigle DA, Nichols FC, Pairolero PC, Deschamps C.
Patient-Centered Quality Indicators for Pulmonary Resection.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:927-932.

Adult Cardiac Surgery

Gillinov AM, Blackstone EH, Alaulaqi A, Sabik III JF, Mihaljevic T, Svensson LG, Houghtaling PL, Salemi A, Johnston DR, Lytle BW.
Outcomes After Repair of the Anterior Mitral Leaflet for Degenerative Disease.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:708-717.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Mavroudis C, Deal BJ, Backer CL, Tsao S.
Arrhythmia Surgery in Patients With and Without Congenital Heart Disease.
Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:857-868.

Asian Annals - October 2008

EDITORIAL
Chiu RCJ.
"STER" Science and Cardiothoracic Surgery: an Asian Perspective.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2008;16:351-52.

CARDIAC 
Parachuri VR, Adhyapak SM, Kumar P, Setty R, Rathod R, Shetty DP.
Ventricular Restoration by Linear Endoventricular Patchplasty and Linear Repair.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2008;16:401-6. 

THORACIC 
Dabir S, Parsa T, Radpay B, Padyab M.
Interpleural Morphine vs Bupivacaine for Postthoracotomy Pain Relief.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2008;16:370-74.  

CONGENITAL 
Silvilairat S, Pongprot Y, Sittiwangkul R, Woragidpoonpol S, Chuaratanaphong S, Nawarawong W.
Factors Influencing Survival in Patients After Bidirectional Glenn Shunt
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2008;16:381-86.

REVIEW ARTICLE 
Loisance D.
Mechanical Circulatory Support: a Clinical Reality.
Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2008;16:419-31.

EACTS Publications Update - September 2008

EJCTS: September issue now published, including 3 CME articles. All back-content older than 1 year is now OPEN-ACCESS.

ICVTS: October issue now published.  

MMCTS: has a total of 126 multimedia surgical procedures on-line.

Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery – Summer 2008

Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy: Current Status and Future Prospects – Ren Ke Li, Richard Weisel, Guest Editors

Fedak PWM.
Paracrine Effects of Cell Transplantation: Modifying Ventricular Remodeling in the Failing Heart.
Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008;20:87-93.

Kaminski A, Steinhoff G.
Current Status of Intramyocardial Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation.
Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008; 20:119-125.

Menasche P.
Current Status and Future Prospects for Cell Transplantation to Prevent Congestive Heart Failure.
Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008;20:131-137.

Current Results and Future Prospect of Lung Transplantation – G. Alexander Patterson, Guest Editor

Botha P, Rostron AJ, Fisher AJ, Dark JH. 
Current Strategies in Donor Selection and Management.
Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008; 20:143-151.

Carter YM, Gelman AE, Kreisel.
Pathogenesis, Management, and Consequences of Primary Graft Dysfunction.
Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008;20:165-172.

Operative Techniques in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery – Summer 2008

Cardiac Surgery        
Rankin JS, Alfery DD, Orozco R, Binford RS, Burrichter CA, Brunsting III, LA.
Techniques of Artificial Chordal Replacement for Mitral Valve Repair: Use in Multiple Pathologic Disorders.
Op Tech Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008;13:74-82.

Congenital Surgery         
Dearani JA, Bacha E, da Silva JP.
Cone Reconstruction of the Tricuspid Valve for Ebstein’s Anomaly: Anatomic Repair.
Op Tech Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008;13:109-125.

General Thoracic Surgery            
Cooke DT, Lau CL.
Primary Repair of Esophageal Perforation.
Op Tech Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008;13:126-137.

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Transitions

ISMICS Officers 2008-2009

At their 2008 Scientific Meeting held 11 - 14 June 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts USA, the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) selected the following slate of officers for 2008-2009.

President –Dr. John D. Puskas
President-Elect – Dr. Anno Diegeler
Secretary – Dr. John L. Knight
Treasurer – Dr. Thomas A. Vassiliades
Vice President – Dr. Ralph J. Damiano
Director World – Professor Xu Meng
Director Europe – Dr. Volkmar Falk
Director North America – Dr. Francis D. Ferdinand
Director (Thoracic): Dr. Kemp H. Kernstine

This year’s Scientific Program Co-Chairs:

Dr. A. Marc Gillinov
Dr. Daniel L. Miller
Dr. Pia Myken

The 2009 Annual Meeting will be held 3 - 6 June 2009 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, CA. THE ABSTRACT SUBMISSION SITE OPENS 30 AUGUST 2008. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 DECEMBER 2008.

Finally – ISMICS has a new look!  Please review it. 

Polish Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons - Officers 2008-2009

Officers of the Polish Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons were elected 12 - 14 June 2008 in Warsaw, Poland.

Past President
Andrzej Biederman

Current President
Tadeusz Orlowski

Vice President
Jerzy Sadowski

Members
Wojciech Rokicki
Jacek Niklinski        
Jan Andrzej Rogowski
Marek Jozef Jasinski
Jacek Rozanski
Wojciech Dyszkiewicz
Witold Rzyman

Editor in Chief -
Marian Zembala

Chairman, General Thoracic Surgery Club -
Tomasz Grodzki

Chairman, Cardiac Surgery Club -
Bohdan Maruszewski

The next meeting of the Polish Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons will be held in 2010.

The Second Conference on Lung Cancer will be held 21 - 22 November 2008 Warsaw, Poland.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 12 SEPTEMBER 2008.  Additional information.

Michael E. DeBakey

It is with heavy heart that CTSNet notes the passing of one of the greatest surgeons of all time. Michael E. DeBakey. He died quietly at 9:38 p.m. Friday, July 11 from natural causes at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, just short of his hundredth birthday. In a professional career that spanned 70 years he managed to pack several lifetimes of work. He will be missed the world over, by physicians and patients alike. His long-time colleague, Dr. Gerald M. Lawrie, will write a tribute to the life of Dr. DeBakey for CTSNet.

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Abstract Deadlines

• October 6, 2008: THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THORACIC SURGERY, Boston, MA USA.
• October 15, 2008: GENERAL THORACIC SURGICAL CLUB, St. Petersburg, Florida USA.
• October 15, 2008: PANHELLENIC CONGRESS OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY, Thessaloniki, Greece.
• October 31, 2008: 17th ANNUAL MEETING OF ASIAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR AND THORACIC SURGERY, Taipei, Taiwan. 
• November 5, 2008: SOCIETY FOR CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY IN GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND, Bournemouth, UK.
• November 10, 2008: AmSECT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, San Antonio, Texas USA.
• November 30, 2008: EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, Warsaw, Poland.
• December 15, 2008: INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY, SAN FRANCISCO, California USA.
• January 10, 2009: 29th ANNUAL SAN DIEGO CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY SYMPOSIUM, San Diego, California USA,
• January 15, 2009: ASAIO-IFAO ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Dallas, Texas USA.
• January 23, 2009: INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY 2009, Snowmass, Colorado USA.
• January 31, 2009: MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIAC SURGERY - 1ST MEETING, Bari, Italy.
• February 1, 2009: 17th EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON GENERAL THORACIC SURGERY, Krakow, Poland.
• February 20, 2009: HOUSTON AORTIC SYMPOSIUM: FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, Houston, Texas USA.
• February 28, 2009: VIENNA INTERDISCIPLINARY SYMPOSIUM ON  AORTIC REPAIR, Vienna Austria.
• March 13, 2009: 13th WORLD CONFERENCE ON LUNG CANCER, San Francisco, California USA.
• March 15, 2009: XIV CONGRESS OF THE CATALAN SOCIETY FOR CARDIAC SURGERY, Barcelona, Spain. 
• April 1, 2009: 23rd ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY, Vienna, Austria.
• May 15, 2009: INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON THORACIC SURGERY, Barcelona, Spain.
• June 1, 2009: 19th BIENNIAL CONGRESS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEONS OF ASIA - ATCSA 2009, Seoul, South Korea.

More meeting abstract deadlines are available.

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Upcoming Meetings

BIRMINGHAM REVIEW COURSE IN CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY

BIRMINGHAM REVIEW COURSE IN CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY will be held October 2-5, 2008 at the Education Centre, Birmingham Heartlands, Contact: L.R. Associates – Ms. L. Richardson, 58, Kiln Close, Calvert Green, Buckingham, MK18 2FD UK; PHONE: +44 01296 733 823; FAX: +44 01296 733 823; MOBILE: +44 077 111 32946; E-MAIL: lrassociates@lycos.co.uk  WEBSITE                

Science of Thoracic Surgery 20th Anniversary Course Meeting

Science of Thoracic Surgery 20th Anniversary Course Meeting will be held October 3 - 4, 2008, at the Taj Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts USA. For information, contact: David J. Sugarbaker. M.D., Division of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115; Telephone: +1 617-732-6824. For more information; For syllabus and registration information.

Innovations & Trends In Cardiovascular Care 2008

Innovations & Trends In Cardiovascular Care 2008, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, will be held 4 October 2008 at the Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center, New Brunswick, New Jersey USA. For information, contact: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Phone: 1 732 418-8030.  Additional information.

American Association of Blood Banks

American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting will be held 4-7 October 2008 in Montreal, PQ Canada. For information, contact: American Association of Blood Banks; Phone: 1-301-907-6977; Fax: 1-301-907-6895; Email: aabb@aabb.org
Additional information.

Meeting on Cardiac and Pulmonary Regeneration

The First Meeting on Cardiac and Pulmonary Regeneration, sponsored by the EACTS Academy, will be held 28–29 November 2008 at the Bellevue Palace Hotel, Bern, Switzerland.

The 1st Annual Regeneration meeting is dedicated to the emerging field of regenerative medicine for the heart and lung. During this comprehensive conference, leaders in the field will convene to present their work, experiences, and opinions to address some of the key issues of the field.

This meeting will highlight the cutting-edge research in the field. It will bring together junior and senior scientists representing all aspects of cardio-thoracic regeneration research. We have selected a great panel of experts from the cardiovascular regeneration field as well as leading experts in pulmonary repair and regeneration.

The following session topics will be covered:

Homing and engraftment of progenitor cells
Cell therapy: basic and clinical aspects
Clinically relevant stem cell populations
Angiogenesis in the heart and lung
Novel approaches for cardiovascular regeneration
Cell therapy for the lung

Scientific Programme          
Registration is open online 

21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure: Synchronizing Surgical and Medical Therapies for Better Outcomes

The 21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure: Synchronizing Surgical and Medical Therapies for Better Outcomes will be held October 16-18, 2008, at the Intercontinental Hotel and Bank of America Conference Center, Cleveland Ohio USA.

The Kaufman Center for Heart Failure at Cleveland Clinic in cooperation with The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) are pleased to provide an educational event for all health care providers who specialize in the treatment of heart failure. Three of America’s leading cardiovascular specialty organizations have come together to address the growing problem of heart failure and together they offer the most advanced review of the current and future medical and surgical treatments for this disease. This symposium will feature presentations by leading experts in cardiovascular medicine and cardiac surgery.   

For more information, faculty, agenda and registration.

For hotel accommodations.

12th Heart Lab Workshop

12th Heart Lab Workshop will be held 29 October - 1 November 2008 at the Hotel Renaissance, Zurich Switzerland. Material to be covered: (Module I: Mechanical Anastomoses, Endoscopic Graft Harvesting, Endovascular Surgery, Module II: Smart Cannulation, Valved Stents for Surgeons, Module III: A-V Valve Repair, Aortic Root and Arch Repair). For information, contact: Ludwig K. von Segesser M.D., Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CHUV, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; Phone: +41 21 314-2280; Fax: +41 21 314-2278; Email: Ludwig.von-Segesser@chuv.hospvd.ch  Additional information.                     

VIVA practice for part III FRCS (CTh)

Wednesday 8th October 2008
A one-day course aimed at trainees preparing for their specialist exams. Numbers will be limited to ensure one-on-one assessment. These courses are designed to identify knowledge gaps for the candidates, rather than formal teaching sessions. The day will be run as an interactive session between the course organisers and the delegates.

American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons Annual Clinical Congress will be held 10 - 14 October 2008 in San Francisco, California USA. For information, contact: Kay Anthony, Division of Education, American College of Surgeons, 633 N. Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: +1 312 202-5385; Fax: +1 312 202-5029; Email: kanthony@facs.org; Additional information.

Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics

Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) for Surgeons - Advanced Surgical and Percutaneous Techniques: Emerging Directions for the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon - will be held 12 - 17 October, 2008 at the Washington Convention Center. Washington, DC USA. For information, contact: Tara Donegan, Cardiovascular Research Foundation, 111 E 59th St., New York, NY 10022; Phone: +1 212-851-9138; Fax: +1 212-851-9397; Email: tdonegan@crf.org; Additional information.

European School for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

Bergamo, Italy, Thoracic Course level C, 13-18 October 2008. For further details.

Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Society

The 10th National Congress of the Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Society will be held October 17-21, 2008 at the Sheraton Hotel and Congress Center in Cesme, Izmir, Turkey. For information, contact: United Expo; Phone: + 90 232 465 00 85; Fax: + 90 232 465 00 86; Email: serapaykutaka@gmail.com  Additional information.

AmSECT's Best Practices in Perfusion

The American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology, in conjunction with the International Consortium for Evidence-Based Perfusion (ICEPB), is pleased to announce the date and location of its third annual Best Practices in Perfusion meeting. This two and a half-day conference will be co-hosted by the Florida Perfusion Society in Tampa, Florida from October 16 - 18, 2008 at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza. Registration and hotel information can be found by visiting here. Attendees at last year's meeting were awarded 24 CEUs. The International Consortium for Evidence-Based Perfusion (ICEBP) partners and collaborates with perfusion societies, professional medical societies, interested clinicians and industry to improve continuously the delivery of care and outcomes for our patients.

International Symposium On Hybrid Approach To Heart Diseases

International Symposium on Hybrid Approach to Heart Diseases (With Live Demonstrations) will be held 18 - 20 October 2008 at the Beijing International Hotel, Beijing China. For information, contact: Hybridheartbeijing Secretariat; Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China; Phone: +86 10 88398063; Fax: +86 10 68313012; Email: hybridheartbeiing@gmail.com; Additional information.

11th BelSECT Symposium on Perfusion

The 11th BelSECT Symposium on Perfusion will be held 18 October 2008 in Brussels Belgium. For information, contact: Leen Vercaemst, Perfusion Dept.-OKAI-E940-Campus Gasthuisberg-Herestraat 49-3000 Leuven Belgium; Phone: +32 163 48697; Email: leen.Vercaemst@uzleuven.be  Additional information.

Complications During Coronary Interventions

2nd International Workshop on Complications During Coronary Interventions: Management and Prevention will be held October 22 - 24, 2008 at  Rust, Austria. Contact: Congress Secretariat: E&E PCO; Tel.: +43 1 867 49 44 0; Fax: +43 1 867 49 44 9; E-Mail: office@ee-pco.com  For more information.

6th Triennial Brigham Cardiac Valve Symposium

6th Triennial Brigham Cardiac Valve Symposium will be held October 23-24, 2008 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts USA. Co-Sponsored by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. For more information and preliminary program. For registration.

Contemporary General Thoracic Surgery

The Annual Postgraduate Course in Contemporary General Thoracic Surgery will be held 23 - 24 October 2008 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center, Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri USA. For information, contact: Continuing Medical Education; Phone: +1 314 362-6891; Fax: +1 314 362-1087; Email: cme@wustl.edu; For additional information.

Cardiac Master Classes 2008

Cardiac Master Classes 2008 in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Mitral Valve and Atrial Fibrillation will be held 23 - 24 October 2008 at the East Carolina Heart Institute, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. For information, contact: Phone: 1 252 754-2629; Fax: 1 252-754-8353; Email: CardiacMstrClass@aol.com  Additional information.

Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland

The Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland Congress 2008 will be held 24-25 October 2008, at the Midland Hotel, Manchester United Kingdom. For information, contact: Kate O'Brien, Clinical Perfusion; Phone: +44 (0) 131 242 3105; Email: kate.o'brien@luht.scot.nhs.uk; Additional information.        

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion

Canadian Society of Clinical Perfusion 2008 Annual General Meeting will be held 25-29 October 2008, Toronto, ON Canada. For information, contact: Eric Laliberté, CSCP National Office, 11 Baseline Road East, Phone: +1-888-496-2727; Fax: +1 519-473-6087; Email: agm@cscp.ca
Additional information.

American College of Chest Physicians

The American College of Chest Physicians meeting - Chest 2008 - will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center 25 - 30 October 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA. For information, contact: ACCP Customer Relations, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062-2348; Phone: 1 847 498-1400; Fax: 1 847 498-5460; Email: accp@chestnet.org; Additional information.

Chinese Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

8th National Scientific Conference of Chinese Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery will be held 29 October-2 November 2008 at the California Garden Hotel Chengdu, Chengdu, China. For information, contact: 8th NSCCSTCS secretariat: Ying LAN, 167 Beilishilu, Fu Wai Hospital, Beijing, 100037 China; Phone: +8610-88396164; Fax: +8610-68316046; Email: yinglan@vip.sina.com  Additional information.

NOVEMBER

MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE OF LUNG CANCER

In an innovative and unique collaborative venture, the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) are running an interdisciplinary teaching meeting on Lung Cancer care in Faro, Portugal 6 - 8 November 2008. This is an outstanding opportunity for surgeons in training and practice to hear experts in all the disciplines present in one programme. For more information.

International Live Symposium "Cardiovascular Disease between Intervention and Surgery"

International Live Symposium "Cardiovascular Disease Between Intervention and Surgery" will be held 6 - 7 November 2008 at the German Heart Centre, Munich Germany. For information, contact: Central Organising Office, Trendhouse Event Marketing GmbH, Mrs. Astrid Schormann, Osterwaldstrasse 10, 80805 Munich, Germany; Phone: +49 (0)89-368 498 66; Fax: +49 (0)89-368 498 88; Email: a.schormann@trendhouse.de  Additional information.        

Southern Thoracic Surgical Association Annual Meeting

The Fifty-Fifth Southern Thoracic Surgical Association Annual Meeting will be held November 6-8, 2008 at the Los Pines Resort Austin, Texas. For information, contact: Nancy Gray Puckett, 633 North St. Clair, Suite 2320, Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: +1 800 685-7872; Fax: +1 312 202-5801; Email: stsa@stsa.org
Additional information.

YORKSHIRE CHEST IMAGING COURSE

YORKSHIRE CHEST IMAGING COURSE will be held Friday 7 November, 2008 at the Radiology Academy, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds UK. Course convenor: Dr. RJH Robertson, Consultant Radiologist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust. Please email radiologycourses@hotmail.co.uk for the information pack and application form. Places limited to 45, reserved on a first come first serve basis. More Information.

Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery

XXIV Congress of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery will be held 8-11 November 2008
at the Hotel Cavalieri Hilton, Rome Italy. For information, contact: Organizing Secretariat: La Conor S.r.l., Via Monte delle Gioie, 29, IT-00199 Rome, Italy; Phone: +39 06-85305059; Fax: +39 06-85304862; Email: conor@conor.it; Additional information.          

American Heart Association

The American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2008 will be held 8 - 12 November 2008 at the New Orleans Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana USA. For information, contact: AHA National Center, Dallas, Texas USA; Phone: +1 214 570-5935; Fax: +1 214 706-5262; Email: sessions@heart.org; Additional information.

European School for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

Bergamo, Italy, Cardiac Course level C, 10-15 November 2008. For further details.

Surgical Treatment of Lung Cancer: RFA to VATS Lobectomy

Surgical Treatment of Lung Cancer: RFA to VATS Lobectomy will be held 13 - 14 November 2008 at UPMC Presbyterian, Watson Education Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA. For information, contact: Gina O'Malley, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Phone: 1 412 802-6591; Email: omalleygm@upmc.edu

Thoracic Surgery Symposium

The Department of Thoracic Surgery of the University Hospital Leuven, Belgium will present its yearly symposium on Friday November 14th 2008. The theme this year is “Cancer of the Esophagus and the Gastroesophageal Junction - 2000 Esophagectomies”. Symposium organizer is Professor Tony Lerut.  For more information.

13th Congress on Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

13th Congress on Cardio-Thoracic Surgery of the Belgian Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery will be held 15 November 2008 at Sodehotel, Woluwe, Brussels, Belgium. For information, contact: Dr. A. Poncelet, Chairman Scientific Committee, Cardio-Thoracic & Vascular Unit, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc; Email: poncelet@chir.ucl.ac.be  Additional information.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN CARDIAC SURGERY

20-22 November 2008, Krakow, Poland. The International Cooperation Committee of EACTS is repeating a two and a half day teaching course for cardio-thoracic surgeons, centred on advanced surgical techniques in the field of adult cardiac surgery. The course consists of a series of lectures by invited experts addressing various surgical conditions; and direct video transmissions of their surgical procedures. Participants will be able to involve the faculty in direct discussions following the presentations and surgeries. For more information.

Asian Cardiothoracic Specialty Update

The 3rd Asian Cardiothoracic Specialty Update will be held 21-22 November 2008 at the Esther Lee Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. For information, contact: The Secretariat, Conference Team, Department of Surgery; Phone: +852 2632 2951; Fax: +852 2647 3074; Email: cardio-update@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk; Additional information.       

13th Annual Perspectives in Thoracic Oncology

The 13th Annual Perspectives in Thoracic Oncology will be held November 21-22, 2008 at the New York Marriott East Side Hotel, New York, New York USA. Regular Registration Deadline: November 13, 2008. Chair: Corey J. Langer, MD, FACP, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Complete conference information.

Second Conference on Lung Cancer

The Second Conference on Lung Cancer will be held 21 - 22 November 2008 at the Hotel Hyatt Regency Warsaw Poland. For information, contact: Prof. T. Orlowski and Mrs. Aneta Wachowicz, National Institute of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, Department of Thoracic Surgery; Phone: +48 22 43 12 266; Email: a.wachowicz@igichp.edu.pl  Additional information.               

Perspectives in Thoracic Oncology

The 13th Annual Perspectives in Thoracic Oncology will be held November 21 - 22, 2008 at the New York Marriott East Side, New York, New York USA. Join us in exciting New York City for this valuable meeting for healthcare professionals who treat and manage patients with thoracic cancer. Discounted Registration Deadline: September 18, 2008. Regular Registration Deadline: November 13, 2008. Complete conference information. For questions, please contact Stormy Reid at s.reid@imedex.com, or +1.678.242.0906.

Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society

First Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session (APHRS2008) will be held 27 - 29 November 2008 at Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore, Singapore. For information, contact: Symposium Manager, 73 Bukit Timah Road, Phone: +65 6330 6730; Fax: +65 6336 2123; Email: aphrs2008@pwevent.com  Additional information.                             

Panhellenic Congress of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

The 7th Panhellenic Congress of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery will be held 28-30 November 2008 at the Porto Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki Greece. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 OCTOBER 2008. For information, contact: Kyriakos Anastasiadis, AHEPA University Hospital, St. Kyriakidi 1, 546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece; Phone: +30 2310994845; Fax: +30 2310994871; Email: anastasiadisk@hotmail.com; Additional information.     

CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

The 1st Annual Regeneration meeting is dedicated to the emerging field of regenerative medicine for the heart and lung. During this comprehensive conference, leaders in the field will convene to present their work, experiences, and opinions to address some of the key issues of the field. The meeting will be held at the Bellvue Palace Hotel, Bern, Switzerland 28-29 November 2008. For more information.

Working Group on Grown Up Congenital Heart Disease

A Training Course of ESC Working Group on Grown Up Congenital Heart Disease in conjunction with 4th Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery will be held 29 - 30 November at the Sungate Port Royal Hotel, Antalya Turkey. For information, contact: Professor Öztekin Oto, Sair Esref Boulevard, 2/2 Alsancak, Izmir, Turkey; Phone: +90 5327014241; Fax: +90 232 464 2470; Email: oztekinoto@oztekinoto.com or oztekin.oto@deu.edu.tr
Additional information 1                    
Additional information 2

DECEMBER

Integrated Cardiovascular Repair-Workshop

MICR 2008: Integrated Cardiovascular Repair-Workshop: the Interdisciplinary Workshop for Interventional Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons and Cardiac Intervention. Teams will be held 4-6 December 2008 at the New Innsbruck City Hall, Innsbruck Austria. Scientific Committee: Johannes Boating, MD FET CS - Guy Fried rich, MD FÉ. For information, contact: Congress Secretariat: Convective, Ms. Doris Mueller; Email: doris.mueller@conventive.at  Additional information.                 

International Heart & Helix-Frontier Conclave-III

The International Heart & Helix-Frontier Conclave-III will be held 5 - 7 December 2008 at the Triple Helix Auditorium, CLRI, Guindy (December 5 & 6) - TICEL Bio-Park Auditorium (December 7) in Taramani, Chennai India. For information, contact: Doctor K. M. Cherian, R 30 C, Ambattur Industrial Estate Road, Mogappair, Chennai - 600 101; Phone: 0091-44-42017575; Email: drkmc@frontierlifeline.com  Additional information.

Williamsburg Conference on Heart Disease

The 35th Annual Williamsburg Conference on Heart Disease will be held December 7–9 2008 at Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg, Virginia USA. For information, contact: NaBrina J. Webb, MBA, 3500 Gaston Avenue Dallas, Texas 75246; Phone: 1 214 820-2317; Fax: 1 214 820-4169; Email: nabrinad@baylorhealth.edu or cmeregistration@baylorhealth.edu; Additional information.

Aortic Surgery and Anesthesia "How to do it"

Aortic Surgery and Anesthesia "How to do it" will be held 11-13 December 2008 at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. For information, contact: San Raffaele Congress Centre; Phone: +39 02 2643 3700; Fax: +39 02 2643 3754; Email: info@aorticsurgery.it  Additional information.    

New Horizons in Cardiovascular Treatments - Cleveland Clinic Outreaching to China

New Horizons in Cardiovascular Treatments - Cleveland Clinic Outreaching to China will be held December 11-13, 2008 at the Shanghai International Convention Center, Shanghai China.

In a meeting guaranteed to provide a historic educational interaction, the leading cardiovascular experts from America and China will converge for the first time to discuss similarities and differences in the Eastern and Western approaches to cardiovascular care. Cardiac and vascular surgical experts will define the state of the art in their respective countries and offer their perspective on controversial issues and future developments. An entire conference segment will be dedicated to simulator training for a variety of endovascular techniques, including stent grafting, coronary angioplasty, carotid stenting, percutaneous cardiac valve placement, and others. Simultaneous translation will allow full participation in English and Chinese.

Brochure of the meeting. For information and registration. For other information, including questions about registering online, contact: The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education, 3050 Science Park Drive, AC 313; Beachwood, Ohio 44122; Phone: +1 216-448-0777.

FOCUS ON THYMIC TUMOURS

Focus on Thymic Tumours held 12 - 13 December 2008, Antwerp, Belgium. Subjects will include Classification of thymic tumours, Clinical aspects of thymic tumours, Surgery for thymic tumours, Extended surgery and recurrence patterns, Role of radio and chemotherapy. It will provide an opportunity to review the evidence on the various surgical strategies, the arguments and the evidence for them and an exchange of view on current surgical practice. For more information.

2009  - JAN - MAR

Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST)

The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) is now accepting abstracts for the 22nd Annual Scientific Assembly, scheduled for January 13-17, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. This is your opportunity to present original research to an audience of prominent members of the trauma community.

The EAST Foundation will be sponsoring two paper competitions during the scientific sessions:

- The Raymond H. Alexander, MD Resident Paper Competition. This competition includes Physicians-In-Training who submit abstracts as the first-named author. The resident or fellow should not have completed his/her training prior to June 2009.

- The John M. Templeton, Jr. MD Injury Prevention Paper Competition. This competition is open to all EAST members who submit original scientific work focusing on an aspect of injury prevention.

The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma is a national organization of more than 1,000 trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, and nurses. EAST welcomes Thoracic Surgeons with an interest in Trauma as members. For additional information on EAST.

EACTS Course Cardiac and Thoracic Robotic Surgery

EACTS Course Cardiac and Thoracic Robotic Surgery will be held 4-7 February 2009 in Strasbourg, France. For information, contact: EACTS Executive Secretariat, 3 Park Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LU, UK; Phone: +44 1753 832166; Fax: +44 1753 620407; Email: info@eacts.co.uk  Additional information.    

29th Annual San Diego Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium (CREF)

The 29th Annual San Diego Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium, chaired by Julie A. Swain MD, will be held February 12 - 15, 2009, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina in San Diego, CA USA. THE ABSTRACT DEADLINE IS JANUARY 10, 2009. For further information, please visit  or email Susan Westwood at susan@amainc.com.

TCT India Live

Register for TCT India Live, February 19-21, 2009, New Delhi, India.

TCT India Live is a 3-day meeting designed for interventional cardiologists, clinical cardiologists, vascular medicine specialists, surgeons, and other health care professionals from around the world who have special interests in the field of interventional and vascular medicine. This inaugural meeting will take place in New Delhi, India at the Taj Palace Hotel.

Building off of the success of the 20-year-old Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) symposium that began in Washington, DC, in 1988, the course will include live cases from renowned institutions in India, North America, Europe, and Malaysia that will highlight the newest interventional technologies and demonstrate important techniques for safe and successful interventions. The sessions will include the latest data on emerging devices, pharmacology, and biotechnology. In addition to the sessions, the latest devices and pharmacological products will be displayed by numerous companies in the Exhibit Hall.

TCT India Live is the essential gathering for physicians and allied health professionals in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Register Today to take advantage of the discounted registration fee.

Florida Valve 2009 - Valvular Heart Disease for the Surgeon and Cardiologist: New Strategies that Unify Practice

Florida Valve 2009 - Valvular Heart Disease for the Surgeon and Cardiologist: New Strategies that Unify Practice will be held 27 February 1 - March 2009 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida USA. For information, contact: Tampa Bay Heart Foundation, Inc., Phone: 1 727 522-9379; Fax: 1 727 522-9386; Email: info@TBHFoundation.org; Additional information.

Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

The 17th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (ASCVTS) will be held 5 - 8 March 2009 at the Taipei International Convention Center, Taipei Taiwan. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 31 OCTOBER 2008. For information, contact: Elite Professional Conference Organizer, Ms. Cheryl LIN, 10F-2, No. 51, Sungjiang Road; Taipei 104, Taiwan; Phone: +886-2-2504-4338 Ext. 16; Fax: +886-2-2504-4362; Email: ascvts2009@elitepco.com.tw  Additional information.

Interventional Cardiology 2009

Interventional Cardiology 2009: 24th Annual International Symposium will be held 8 - 13 March 2009 at The Silvertree Hotel, Snowmass Village, Colorado USA. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 23 JANUARY 2009.  For information, contact: Laurel Steigerwald, 2333 State Street, Suite 203, Carlsbad, California 92008; Phone: 1 760 720-2263; Fax: 1 760 720-6263; Email: education@promedicacme.com  Additional information.

AmSECT 47th International Conference

The AmSECT 47th International Conference will be held 11-14 March 2009 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas USA. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 10 NOVEMBER 2008. For information, contact: Joseph Deptula, Phone: 1.804.565-6363; Email: joedep@hotmail.com; Additional information.

General Thoracic Surgical Club

General Thoracic Surgical Club will be held 12 - 15 March 2009 at Don Cesar Beach Resort, St. Petersburg, Florida USA. The ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 OCTOBER 2008. For information, contact: Bonnie Lemmerman or Carla MacLean, General Thoracic Surgical Club, Rochester, MN; Phone: +1 507-538-4969; Fax: +1 507-284-0058; Email: blemmerman@mayo.edu; Additional information.

Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain & Ireland

The Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain & Ireland (SCTS) Annual Meeting will be held 22 - 24 March 2009 at Bournemouth Conference Centre, Bournemouth United Kingdom. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5 NOVEMBER 2008. For information, contact: Isabelle Ferner; Phone: +44 020 7869 6893; Email: sctsadmin@scts.org; Additional information.

2009 - APR - JUN    

Houston Aortic Symposium: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Diseases

Houston Aortic Symposium: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Diseases - The Second in the Series will be held 3 - 5 April 2009 at The Westin Oaks Hotel, Houston Texas USA. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 20 FEBRUARY 2009. For information, contact: Michelle Gherardi, 2333 State Street, Suite 203; Phone: +1 760 720-2263; Fax: +1 760 720-6263; Email: mgherardi@promedicacme.com; Additional information.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery will be held 17-18 April 2009 at the Sheraton Nicolaus Hotel, Bari Italy. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 31 JANUARY 2009. For information, contact: Giuseppe Straziota, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Anthea Hospital, Phone: +39 08 0 85644570; Fax: +39 08 0 85644620; Email: info@minimally.it; Additional information.

International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 29th Annual Meeting will be held 22 - 25 April 2009 in Paris France.  For information, contact: International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation, 14673 Midway Road, Suite 200, Addison, Texas 75001; Phone: 1 972 490-9495; Fax: 1 972 490-9499; Email: ishlt@ishlt.org; Additional information.

Vienna Interdisciplinary Symposium on Aortic Repair

The 6th Vienna Interdisciplinary Symposium on Aortic Repair (VISAR) will be held 22 - 24 April 2009 at the Congress Venue, Vienna Austria. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 28 FEBRUARY 2009. For information, contact: Congress Secretariat: E&E PCO, Nobilegasse 23-25; Phone: +43 1 867 49 44; Fax: +43 1 867 49 44-9; Email: office@ee-pco.com; Additional information.

European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery

The 58th International Congress of the European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (ESCVS) will be held April 30 - May 2, 2009 in Warsaw, Poland. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30, 2008. Notification of abstract acceptance: January 15, 2009. Low fee pre-registration: March 1, 2009. Scientific Secretariat: Prof. Claudio Muneretto (munerett@med.unibs.it). Organising Secretariat, Meet and Work srl, contact information: Mario Sbalchiero; Telephone +39 049 860 1818; FAX +39 049 860 2389; Email: meet@meetandwork.com; Additional information.

Redo Cardiac Surgery in Adults

Eighth International Symposium on Redo Cardiac Surgery in Adults will be held 8 - 9 May 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts USA. For information, contact: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Division of Cardiac Surgery The Heart, Lung, and Esophageal Surgery Institute, Shadyside Medical Building, Suite 706 5200 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232; Phone: 1 412 623-3140; Fax: 1 412 623-2822; Email: slomkasm@upmc.edu  Additional information.

POSTGRADUATE COURSE IN GENERAL THORACIC SURGERY

POSTGRADUATE COURSE IN GENERAL THORACIC SURGERY will be held May 21-22, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts USA. For further information:  Call: (617) 384-8600, 10:00 am-4:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday; Fax: (617) 384-8686; Email:hms-cme@hms.harvard.edu  More Information.

Catalan Society for Cardiac Surgery

The XIV Congress of the Catalan Society for Cardiac Surgery will be held 27 - 30 May 2009 at the Hotel Avenida Palace, Barcelona Spain. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 MARCH 2009. For information, contact: Nuria Bosch - Oldisseny S.L., Comte Urgell 174, 2-1; Phone: +34 934 510 792; Fax: +34 934 511 736; Email: nbosch@oldisseny.com; Additional information.

ASAIO - IFAO Annual Conference

ASAIO - IFAO Annual Conference in conjunction with the 5th Annual Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support Systems & Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Perfusion Conference will be held 28 - 30 May 2009 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Texas USA. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 JANUARY 29009. For information, contact: ASAIO Inc., 980 North Federal Highway, Suite 212, Boca Raton, Florida 33432-2711; Phone: 1 561 391-8589; Fax: 1 561 368-9153; Email: info@asaio.com  Additional information.            

17th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery

17th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery organized by the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) will be held in Krakow, Poland, 31 May – 3 June 2009. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 1 FEBRUARY 2009. For information, contact: Mondial Congress and Events, Mondial GrmbH & Co., KG, Operngasse 20b, 10-40 Vienna, Austria; Phone: +43 1 58804 0; Fax: +43 1 58804 0 185; Email: ests2009@mondial-congress.com  For more information.

International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS)

The 2009 International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) 12th Annual Scientific Meeting will be held 3 - 6 June 2009 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, California USA. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION BEGINS 30 AUGUST 2008. ABSTRACT DEADLINE 15 DECEMBER 2008. For information, contact: EJ Weldon, 900 Cummings Center, Suite 221-U, Beverly, MA USA; Phone: +1 978-927-8330; Email: ISMICS@prri.com  For additional information.      

Congress on Complications During Coronary Intervention

8th International Congress on Complications During Coronary Intervention: Management and Prevention will be held 17-19 June 2009 at Lausanne, Switzerland. Contact: Congress Secretariat: E&E PCO; Tel.: +43 1 867 49 44 0; Fax: +43 1 867 49 44 9 E-Mail: office@ee-pco.com  For more information.         

5th World Congress of Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

The 5th World Congress of Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery will be held 22-26 June 2009 at the Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns, Queensland Australia. For information contact: ICMS Pty Ltd, Phone: +61 3 9682 0244; Email: pccs2009@icms.com.au; Additional information.

Western Thoracic Surgical Association 2009 Annual Meeting

The Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA) 35th Annual Meeting will be held 24 June - 29 July 2009 at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, AB Canada. For information, contact: April Conti; 900 Cummings Center; Suite 221-U, Beverly, MA 01915; Phone: +1 978-927-8330; FAX: +1 978-524-8890; Email: wtsa@prri.com; Additional information.

Fifth Biennial Meeting of The Society for Heart Valve Disease

The Fifth Biennial Meeting of The Society for Heart Valve Disease (SHVD) will be held 27-30 June 2009 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Berlin Germany. For information, contact: SHVD Executive Secretariat, Heart Science Centre, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex UB9 6JH, UK; Phone: +44 (0)1895-828977; Fax: +44 (0)1895-828902; Email: secretariat@shvd.org
Additional information.

2009 - JULY  - FORWARD     

The 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer

The 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2009), sponsored by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), will be held July 31–August 4, 2009 in San Francisco, California, USA.

The 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer will be one of the largest international gatherings of clinicians and scientists in the lung cancer field. Those interested in all aspects of lung cancer including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists, epidemiologists, basic research scientists, nurses and allied health professionals are encouraged to attend this Conference.

The WCLC 2009 1st Announcement/Call for Papers brochure is currently available for download on the website home page. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 13 MARCH 2009.

For further information, please contact Khara Robertson, Conference Manager, at +1-604-681-2153 or by e-mail at wclc2009@meet-ics.com, or visit the website.

European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

The 23rd EACTS Annual Meeting will be held 17 - 21 October 2009 at the Austria Centre, Vienna, Austria. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 1 APRIL, 2009. For information, contact: EACTS Executive Secretariat,  3 Park Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1LU, UK; Phone: +44 1753 832166; Fax: +44 1753 620407; Email: info@eacts.co.uk  Additional information.

Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA)

Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia (ATCSA) 19th Biennial Congress 2009 will be held 25 - 28 October 2009 at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel, Seoul Korea (South). ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 1 JUNE 2009. For information, contact: Ms. Hyo-Shin Nam, InSession International Convention Services, Inc., Phone: +82 2 3471 8555; Fax: +82 2 521 8683; Email: atcsa2009@insession.co.kr  Additional information.

Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center: Current Trends in Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology

The 5th International Meeting of the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center: Current Trends in Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology will be held November 12–14 2009 at the Athens Hilton Hotel, Athens, Greece. For information, contact: Liana Iliopoulou, Triaena Tours & Congress, 206 Sygrou Avenue, 176 72 Athens (Kallithea) Greece; Phone: +30 210 7499353; Fax: +30 210 7705752; Email: lianae@triaenatours.gr

International Joint Meeting on Thoracic Surgery

The International Joint Meeting on Thoracic Surgery will be held 25 - 27 November 2009 at the Auditorio Fomento de Trabajo Barcelona, Barcelona Spain. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 15 MAY 2009. For information, contact: Oriol Seto, ACTO SERVEIS, C/ Bonaire, 7; 08301 Mataro, Barcelona, Spain; Phone: +34 937 552 382; Fax: +34 937 552 383; Email: thoracic.surgery@actoserveis.com  Additional information.

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Member Section

Upcoming Meetings

Maud Zingmark for EACTS and Carol Blasberg for CTSNet will be present at the following meetings: 10th National Congress of the Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Society to be held October 17-21, 2008 in Cesme, Izmir Turkey and the 8th National Scientific Conference of the Chinese Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery to be held 29 October-2 November 2008 in Chengdu, China. If you are attending either of these meetings please drop by the booths, say hello, and have your home page picture taken.

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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!

Thomas B. Ferguson, M.D.
Senior Editor

Carol L. Blasberg
Managing Editor

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