Welcome to the world's largest event in cardiology! 

“We have expanded the number of ‘Meet and Read with the Experts’ sessions and ‘Meet the Trialists’,” says Professor Pinto, “with plenty of opportunities for face to face interactions with presenters. And for the first time the European Heart Journal will consider Hot Line and Clinical Trial Update sessions for fast-track review and simultaneous publication.”

A large part of the programme is dedicated to updating clinical skills. The “Meet the Expert” lunchtime and evening sessions, FOCUS Cardiology Practice and Council for Cardiology Practice sessions will all focus on the practical management of CVD, while in the main programme there are overviews of some of the fastest moving areas in cardiovascular medicine relevant to clinical practice.

Basic science is also an area well represented. “We are trying actively to support basic science,” says Professor Pinto, “since it's key to the evolution of new concepts in cardiovascular medicine. As well as the new Ketty Schwartz lecture on basic science, there'll be a Hot Line session on basic science and a translational track including over 20 sessions exploring the clinical implications of basic science.”

This programme of ESC Congress 2009 is derived from a record 9848 submitted abstracts, a reflection of how the congress is now the world’s main platform for cardiovascular research. Each abstract has been peer reviewed, leading to the final selection of 4085 abstracts.  “And what’s really interesting,” adds Professor Pinto, “is that we've had a lot more submissions from outside Europe, with Japan in fifth place for the total number submitted, and the US in 11th, reflecting the truly international dimension of the meeting.”