EACTS / STS / CSIA Cardio-Thoracic Conference

The

The Inaugural ‘In Africa for Africa’ Cardio-Thoracic Conference, being held September 4–6, 2026 in Cape Town, will bring together leading international and regional clinicians, fellows, and registrars to explore contemporary and contextualized clinical approaches, surgical techniques, health-system strengthening, and perioperative topics of interest in Africa. The program will feature plenary sessions that blend key regional speakers with international leaders, including current and past presidents of EACTS, STS, CSIA, SCTSSA, as well as representatives from the Asian Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (ASCVTS), the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS), and the Brazilian Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (SBCCV). It will also include individual simulation sessions focused on surgical techniques such as the modified Bentall procedure, rheumatic mitral valve repair, and aortic root enlargement strategies, alongside a team-building simulation series introducing key situational and crisis management strategies utilizing the novel Califia system from the University of the Free State in South Africa. In addition, the conference will host roundtable conversations with health management experts addressing disparities in resources for cardiothoracic capabilities and broader health-system strengthening across Africa, as well as panel discussions with industry representatives focused on supply chain solutions and sourcing at scale for regional programs. Social events will provide further opportunities to network with regional and international colleagues and leaders in the field.