Organizers of the 2010 ACC Annual Scientific Session, March 13–16 in Atlanta, recently highlighted some of the changes to this year’s program.
On Saturday, March 13, the ACC is hosting the CardioSmart.com Atlanta event, which is a public heart health clinic. Patients will be screened for blood pressure, diabetes weight and will be provided general information on how to stay healthy.
James B. McClurken, M.D., chair of ACC.10, said expo floor attendance has been down in recent years, and to increase traffic this year ACC created innovative exhibits and positioned poster sessions next to the expo. New exhibits include a hybrid cath lab/OR and a 3D theater. Additionally, vendors will offer simulation sessions.
The biggest topics at this year’s ACC include transcatheter valves, therapies for hypertension and diabetics, and new kinds of stents, said Alfred Bove, M.D. ACC president. There is also a stronger emphasis on electronic medical records/health informatics. These and many other topics will be covered both in clinical sessions and in reviews of 30 late-breaking clinical trials.
“The buzz-words are comparative effectiveness and many of these trials will address that,” said Dr. McClurken said. He explained the trials will not only address the devices and technology, but also their impact in terms of costs, side effects of medications and long-term outcomes.
George Dangas, M.D., chair of the i2 Summit, said comparative effectiveness will also be a common theme throughout the i2 sessions.
For more information: acc10.acc.org