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SCAI scientific sessions attract world-renowned invasive/interventional cardiologists

SCAI moves meeting to Chicago, continues 'Best of the Best' approach to continuing medical education

"The signature of SCAI's Scientific Sessions is that the best current information is presented in an objective, well-reviewed format that's readily digestible," says Dr. Ted Feldman, a past president of the Society and chair of the 2006 Scientific Sessions Program Committee. He is a professor of medicine at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, IL.

"Among many topics examined will be several rapidly developing areas in interventional cardiology, such as percutaneous valve therapy, carotid artery stenting, new techniques for vascular closure, and breakthroughs in imaging technology," adds Dr. Feldman.

The SCAI Scientific Sessions will also feature –

• The acclaimed Judkins Cardiac Imaging Symposium, featuring a full day of presentations focused on the latest in imaging technology, including cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, flat-panel imaging, electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and radiation safety (Wed., May 10, chaired by SCAI Past President Dr. Warren K. Laskey, of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque);
• SCAI's brand-new, full-day Hemodynamics Symposium, which will give attendees a thorough review of the fundamentals of diagnostic catheterization, intracardiac pressure measurements, and new methods for assessing complex cardiac and valvular disease states (Wed., May 10, chaired by Dr. Zoltan G. Turi, of Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ, and SCAI Past President Dr. Morton J. Kern, of Pacific Cardiovascular Associates in Laguna Hills, CA);
• Two full days of programming on treating congenital heart disease (Thurs., May 11, and Fri., May 12, chaired by SCAI Trustee Dr. Zijad Hijazi, of the University of Chicago, and Dr. Carlos Ruiz, of the University of Illinois at Chicago);
• The Third Annual Interventional Fellows Complex Coronary Complications (C3) Summit, a program developed specifically for fellows in their last year of training for the purpose of exposing them to some of the most challenging complications interventionalists encounter in practice (Fri., May 12, and Sat., May 13, chaired by SCAI Past President Dr. Jeffrey J. Popma, of Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston);
• The meeting's annual Peripheral Symposium – a full day dedicated to analyzing the latest developments in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including practical, case-based review of challenges and dilemmas as well as findings from recent clinical trials (Sat., May 13, chaired by Dr. David Kandzari, of the Duke University Clinical Research Institute); and
• A full-day symposium for catheterization laboratory nurses and technicians (Sat., May 13, sponsored by the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals [SICP]); and
• The opportunity for attendees to sharpen their technical and procedural skills with procedure simulations. What flight simulators have long been to pilots, procedure simulators are rapidly becoming to invasive and interventional cardiologists. At the SCAI meeting, attendees will manage difficult carotid stent procedures, heart attack angioplasty cases, and a wide variety of complications, all in a simulated environment.

Two additional highlights of the meeting will be the annual Founders' Lecture by Dr. Richard Stack and the Hildner Lecture by SCAI Trustee Dr. Gregg Stone. The title of Dr. Stack's lecture is "How Can You Get Out of a Full-Metal Jacket?" He is the president of Synecor, LLC, and professor emeritus of medicine in cardiology at Duke University. Dr. Gregg W. Stone is a professor of medicine at Columbia University, director of Cardiovascular Research and Education at Columbia's Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy, and vice-chairman of The Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New York City. The title of Dr. Stone's lecture is "Prospects for the Invasive and Non-Invasive Identification of Vulnerable Plaque."

In addition to comprehensive updates on the clinical side of treating patients with heart disease, SCAI will also offer sessions geared toward helping interventionalists with challenges in practice management. One session that promises to be of interest to attendees focuses on the electronic medical record (EMR). "Medicare has made it clear that, ultimately, reimbursement will be tied to an electronic record, which means it will soon be an integral part of every interventionalist's office practice," says Dr. Feldman. "In our session, we will look at the EMR being used by the VA hospital system as well as other large, commercially available medical record systems."

SCAI will also host an extensive Exposition, where many of the newest devices, drugs, equipment, and literature will be on display. Approximately 50 companies will be represented and on hand to answer questions and demonstrate their products and services. Exposition hours are Wed., May 10, noon – 6 p.m.; Thurs., May 11, 9 a.m. –7:30 p.m.; and Fri., May 12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For more information, or to register for SCAI's 29th Annual Scientific Sessions, call 800-992-7224 or email info@scai.org.

About SCAI
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions is a 3,400-member professional organization representing invasive and interventional cardiologists. SCAI's mission is to promote excellence in invasive and interventional cardiovascular medicine through physician education and representation, and advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care. SCAI was organized in 1976 under the guidance of Drs. F. Mason Sones and Melvin P. Judkins. The first SCAI Annual Scientific Sessions was held in Chicago in 1978.

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