Interview with Prof. Pinto FESC

Professor Fausto Pinto FESC, Chairperson Congress Programme Committee

Why should people attend the ESC Congress 2009?

The ESC 2009 Congress represents the largest meeting in the world addressing issues in cardiovascular medicine. The meeting, taking place over five days in 30 lecture theatres, provides a unique forum bringing together all the different disciplines and players involved in cardiology, including doctors, basic scientists, epidemiologists, nurses,  technicians and key opinion leaders.  An advantage  is that it covers both specific issues in the different disciplines as well as broader issues affecting all fields of cardiology.  The congress will provide delegates with great opportunities for education, including “Meet and Read with the Experts, and for hearing about the latest research. There will  be valuable opportunities  for networking, including finding out about practice in different countries, exchanging ideas and getting to know a range of interesting new people. Let's not forget our industry partners who will be holding over 80 satellite symposia and workshops and showcasing the latest innovations in pharma  and equipment in what's probably the world's  largest medical exhibition centre.

What new features can delegates expect ?

This year there are lots of new innovations. First, immediately after the Hotlines and Clinical Trial updates abstracts and slides will be available on line.  This year a new translational tract with over 20 sessions has been selected that's dedicated to the clinical implications of basic science and getting basic science closer to clinicians. There will be a set of new joint sessions with sister societies, such as the European Society of Medical Oncology, looking at issues such as the cardiovascular effects of oncology drugs, and  a new joint session with the European Commission that will be exploring the issues around how the European Commission supports cardiovascular Research. We  have expanded the number of sessions in the popular “Meet and Read with the Experts” as well as the sessions “Meet the Trialists”, where delegates have a unique opportunity for face to face interactions with the presenters of the main clinical trials.   Another new session is “Meet the Editors”, where the Editors Network of ESC will address the most challenging issues in publishing cardiovascular national journals.

For the first time there will be opportunities to gain hands-on image and device education from clinical experts. The sessions, which are being held in purpose-built classrooms, have been organised by our industry partners, and will be available free on a first come, first served basis. Finally there will be a special lecture on heart failure, honouring the memory of Professor Philip Poole Wilson, a former president of the ESC, who sadly died earlier this year.

What can we expect from this year congress highlight on prevention?

Because cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality and morbidity and in recognition of the major advances that have been made in this field we felt that prevention and risk factor identification represented a really important theme to highlight .  Entitled “Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease from cell to man to society”, our special theme offers the  opportunity for doctors, scientists, governments and the general population to all come together to discuss ways of decreasing the burden of cardiovascular disease on society. Altogether there will be 50 separate sessions on prevention in the pre arranged programme (Highlight/Prevention Track).

A special abstract session on Prevention will be held , with an award for the best abstract to be decided by a jury, and our President, Professor Roberto Ferrari FESC, will deliver  a key note lecture on a special prevention project taking place in his home town of Ferrara. The Spanish Society will be running a public event on prevention in Barcelona during the Congress.

What's on offer for clinical cardiologists?

A large part of the programme will be dedicated to practical clinical science, giving delegates a valuable opportunity to update skills. The meet the expert lunch time and evening sessions will focus on the practical management of cardiovascular disease.  A set of 5 sessions will be dedicated to the new ESC guidelines. The FOCUS Cardiology Practice Sessions and the Session organised by the Council for Cardiology Practice on Take Home Message for Practitioners will also provide important practical messages.

In the main sessions there will be overviews of some of the fastest moving areas in the field of cardiovascular medicine which are relevant to clinical  practice.  And the Hotline sessions and Clinical Trial Updates, will give delegates the latest news on drugs, equipment and procedures. For the first time the European Heart Journal will consider these trials for fast track review and simultaneous online publication.

What's on offer for basic scientists?

Basic science is an area we're really trying to push since it's key to development of new concepts in cardiovascular medicine. There will be a new Ketty Schwartz lecture on basic science, a Hotline session devoted to latest developments in basic science and a translational bench to bedside track with about 35 sessions. There will be plenty of abstracts on basic science and a special young investigators award for basic scientists. We're hoping that more basic scientists than ever before will be attracted to the meeting.

What's happening with abstracts ?

This year we've had a record number of abstract submissions – 9,848 in total – reflecting how the meeting is now the main platform for cardiovascular research.  Each abstract has been peer reviewed , leading to the final selection of around 4,000 abstracts. The abstracts are presented in a range of formats including the featured research sessions (where the best abstracts are selected), the young investigators awards (submitted by presenters under 35), oral abstracts, moderated posters and finally the usual posters where people exchange views on a one-to-one basis. We've also redesigned our abstract presentation space. What's really interesting is that we've had a lot more submissions from countries outside Europe, reflecting the truly international dimension of the Congress.

What sessions should you attend for a quick overview of the latest advances in cardiology?

On Monday and Tuesday the Associations Tracks will hold five meetings updating delegates on  major developments that have taken place in our  sub-specialities over the past year, and  highlights from our sub-speciality annual congresses. There will be sessions providing updates on the latest ESC clinical guidelines, and then on the final day, the Highlight session will provide the meeting in a “nutshell”, giving  an overview of the new and exciting developments in basic and clinical sciences presented at ESC 2009. 

How will Barcelona provide a good backdrop for ESC 2009?

Barcelona is a truly wonderful venue. The city offers an excellent congress centre, good transport links, and is a really interesting place for delegates to take a bit of time out. You have magnificent Gaudi architecture, superb cuisine and a world famous football team. In fact it's the  perfect mix – that's so long as you don't get too distracted from the Congress.