The Scientific Programme

The 2018 EACTS Annual Meeting has a new 3-day format.
Why has the format changed, and what can attendees expect?

The main reason for the change from 5 to 3 days was the new Code of Ethical Business Practice adopted by Eucomed, particularly the rules around indirect sponsorship of healthcare professionals to attend educational events. We saw it as an opportunity to improve
the meeting and make it even more successful than it has been in the past. For example, we have incorporated Techno-College into the main programme under the same fee as the rest of the meeting, so all delegates can take part. In addition, delegates have to pay for fewer nights’ accommodation, so the meeting is better value for money overall.

The meeting has a busy and exciting programme. What do you see as some of the main highlights?

The programme is comprehensive, covering all areas of cardiothoracic surgery. The high educational value has been acknowledged: the EACCME® has accredited the meeting with 23 EACCME credits.

The EACCME® has accredited the meeting with 23 EACCME credits.

The coronary artery revascularisation programme is strong, which is especially important because this procedure makes up 40–50% of the average surgeon’s workload. Other highlights include a new session on rare and uncommon diseases, a new joint session with the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology, and sessions on managing clinical trials and assessing clinical evidence. We’ll be launching a new initiative: our collaboration with the Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit at University College London to form the Analytical Support Unit. The Unit will educate and support the next generation to improve the credibility of the evidence we produce.

We’ll be launching a new initiative: our collaboration with the Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit at University College London to form the Analytical Support Unit.

What are you most looking forward to about this year’s EACTS Annual Meeting?

This is the first meeting that I have helped to organise from the beginning, so I’m looking forward to seeing a vibrant meeting with lots of people participating, learning and building relationships. And it is in Italy, which, as an Italian, I’m delighted about!

Note: Expert opinions, advice and all other information expressed represent contributors’ views and not necessarily those of Edwards Lifesciences

Techno-College is no longer a full-day event. Tell us about the changes.

The EACTS Annual Meeting now takes place over 3 days, so we changed the format of the Techno-College to a new 3-day format, with one 3-hour session per day. This maintains the same total time, and gives delegates the opportunity to attend Techno-College within a single fee. We have tried to avoid conflicting sessions, so we will still reach the same audience. We’ll possibly even reach a new audience who previously couldn’t attend EACTS for an additional day for Techno-College.

Why is it important for Techno-College to include new technologies, the Heart Team, and interventional and emerging therapies? What can attendees expect from these sessions?

Techno-College has always been different from the scientific-focused EACTS. We try to encompass the newest technologies and innovations of the past year, and make it as visual and interactive as possible. Attendees can expect an interesting mix of live cases transmitted from two centres, live-in-a-box cases and video-based presentations by leaders in our field. We will dedicate one session to the Heart Team, highlighting the newest upcoming interventional technologies. The other sessions will not only show the latest and greatest in cardiac surgery, but will also give practical tips on how to enhance your surgical skills and how to implement these techniques in your daily practice.

Attendees can expect an interesting mix of live cases transmitted from two centres, live-in-a-box cases and video-based presentations by leaders in our field.

What are the highlights from the Techno-College programme?

The main highlight will always be the live case transmissions. This year, for only the second time ever, we will broadcast a transcatheter mitral valve implantation live from the University Heart Center in Hamburg. Another highlight will be our ‘Lion’s Den’ session, where 6–8 applicants for the Techno-College Award will present their innovations and defend their business case to an expert panel of surgeons, cardiologists, chief executive officers and venture capitalists. The auditors, on-stage panel and the audience will then decide which presenter deserves the Techno-College Award.

Note: Expert opinions, advice and all other information expressed represent contributors’ views and not necessarily those of Edwards Lifesciences