Dear Friends and Colleagues
We are delighted to invite you to Barcelona to attend the world’s largest meeting in Cardiovascular Medicine, where basic science blends with clinical practice in a true spirit of commitment to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and to improve our ability to understand, prevent, diagnose and treat it.
The Cardiovascular disease represents the major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and is increasingly reaching the top in developing countries, representing a true pandemic of the 21st century. Its prevention represents one of the major goals of different groups, including doctors, scientists, governments and the populations as a whole in a concerted effort to decrease its burden on our society. This year the European Society of Cardiology has decided to focus on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease as the Highlight of the Congress.
The 2009 Congress will be a unique opportunity to bring together basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, nurses and key opinion leaders in cardiovascular medicine to discuss the most recent advances in this fascinating field of Medicine. But the ESC Congress is also the annual platform where major advances in Cardiology are discussed in different types of sessions targeting the different professional groups that join us every year from all over the world in a true festival of Cardiovascular Medicine. This year’s Programme was tailored to fulfil the expectations of these different groups. Several sessions are dedicated to providing deep insight into the most recent developments and innovations in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. A strong component is dedicated to basic science, including seminal translational sessions on the different topics.
As usual the ESC Congress is the forum for presentation of the most recent and advanced research in the format of oral and poster presentations, including moderated posters. A special abstract session on Prevention will be held this year and we will continue with the Featured Research presentations where the “crčme de la crčme” of science will be presented with key note lectures given by world renowned authorities in the field. Clinical practitioners represent a large proportion of colleagues that attend the meeting and part of the programme is dedicated to them, including the FOCUS sessions on clinical cardiology and the great success of the “Meet and Read with the Experts” sessions, where practical take-home messages will be clearly conveyed. Other sessions will be devoted to the most recent clinical guidelines produced by ESC. Demonstration of new techniques in imaging and interventional cardiology will be given in LIVE FOCUS sessions from different centres across Europe. As usual there will be a large number of joint sessions with other sister medical societies.
A meeting like this requires the participation of a large number of people, institutions and companies that put a lot of energy and dedication into its success. We would like to express our gratitude to the contribution of the healthcare industry in general, a reliable and solid partner, as well as a great supporter along the way.
Last, but not the least, take the opportunity to explore one of the finest cities in the world, Barcelona, where you will always find something new to enjoy and help to relax away from the busy and hectic environment that we all live. We hope that you will go back home with a better knowledge on what is going on in CVD in the world and with renewed batteries to face new challenges.
All the best and see you in Barcelona!
Professor Roberto Ferrari, President
European Society of Cardiology | Professor Fausto Pinto, Chairperson
Congress Programme Committee |
