29th EACTS Annual Meeting: Embracing the Challenge

The 29th EACTS Annual Meeting will be held in Amsterdam from October 3-7.  If you have not already registered, you can do so at www.eacts.org. The meeting brings together a world-class faculty to present, debate, and discuss the latest developments within cardiothoracic surgery. EACTS promises that this year’s program will deliver the highest quality advanced education in the field of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, promoting the benefits of research in thoracic physiology, pathology, and therapy. EACTS is ready to embrace the challenges of the rapid development of interventional techniques and the aging population.

Techno College

On Saturday October 3, Techno College will present three programs. The Acquired Cardiac Disease Program will contain three sessions focusing on 1) transcatheter aortic valve implantation/aortic valve; 2) heart failure/aortic disease; and 3) atrioventricular valves. The Congenital Disease Program will cover 3D imaging modalities in congenital heart surgery, and the management of the mechanical support of circulation. The Thoracic Disease program will look at malignant pleural mesothelioma, from biomolecular aspects to maximal invasive surgery.

Postgraduate Courses

On Sunday October 4, the Postgraduate program of the Acquired Cardiac Disease Domain will cover a wide variety of topics related to surgical safety and quality improvement. The Thoracic Disease program will include an interactive session with a panel of experts. This year’s topics are: pneumonectomy controversies, esophageal perforations management, and acquired tracheal disorders management. Personal illustrative clinical cases will be shown by the panel to stimulate and encourage active discussion. The Congenital Disease program will provide sessions on the management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, all aspects of Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia (TOF-PA), and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs), a meet-the-expert session where complex cases will be presented and discussed, and a surgical film session that will illustrate complex repairs.

The Postgraduate program of the Domain of Vascular Disease will feature some of the best-selected abstracts that logically fit with the invited presentations. A basic approach to the surgery of the ascending aorta will cover the indication and timing for a tailored surgical approach, as well as the optimal technique in different pathological situations. The program will continue with the type of follow-up procedures that are required after major thoracic surgeries, and address the last unsolved issues of the thoraco-abdominal pathologies.

The Postgraduate Course program includes a keynote plenary session entitled “CanBetter: Optimizing Training Programs in Cardio-thoracic Surgery.”

Scientific Program – Monday to Wednesday

The scientific program will continue on Monday, October 5, and Tuesday, October 6, with numerous abstract, professional challenge, and focus sessions, encompassing the whole spectrum of cardiothoracic surgery. These sessions will provide participants with all the latest information on understanding preventive measures, intraoperative techniques, prediction and perioperative interventions to reduce complications, dealing with complications when they occur, and how to improve outcomes. On Wednesday, October 7, the meeting will feature a number of advanced technique sessions and wet labs.

Keynote Lectures

This year’s Presidential Address by Martin Grabenwöger, entitled “The Power of Surgery,” will be presented on Monday afternoon. EACTS is also delighted to welcome André Kuipers, MD, Astronaut and Ambassador of Earth (The Netherlands) to Amsterdam; he will address one of the most important characteristics of cardiothoracic surgeons – the belief in future technologies and the impulse to explore new galaxies – during his Honored Guest Lecture, “Medical Aspects in Space Industry,” on the Tuesday afternoon.

EACTS is sure that there is something for every cardiothoracic specialist and allied healthcare professional to learn, discuss, and take home from the meeting. EACTS hopes that you enjoy the meeting and all Amsterdam has to offer.