March 2004

International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

Heart and lung transplantation clinical trial results to be announced at ISHLT meeting

Meeting to be held at Hilton San Francisco, April 21-24

More than 2,000 surgeons, scientists, transplant coordinators and nurses from 15 countries will converge April 21-24 for the 24th Annual Meeting and Scientific Session of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) at the Hilton San Francisco. The meeting will feature advances and emerging technologies in the fields of late stage heart and lung failure, thoracic transplantation, cell transplantation and tissue engineering.

NEW THIS YEAR

For the first time at an ISHLT annual meeting, late-breaking results of high-impact clinical trials will be presented during special plenary sessions. These include:

  • The use of genomic medicine to enhance outcomes in heart transplant recipients
  • Definitive studies of newer distinctive strategies of immunosuppression to decrease rejection rates. Immunosuppression involves the medical suppression of the immune system to prevent organ transplant rejection.
  • The latest information on the impact of novel immunosuppression in tackling coronary artery disease after transplantation using intravascular ultrasound
  • Use of novel drug delivery systems such as inhaled cyclosporine after lung transplantation


The scientific program consists of invited plenary sessions and lectures, in addition to nearly 400 peer-reviewed oral and poster abstract presentations addressing the latest research findings in end-stage thoracic organ failure and transplantation. Topics to be presented include:
  • SARS, West Nile virus and HIV � Infectious disease and how they affect thoracic transplantation
  • Latest data from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and international organ procurement organizations discussing disparities in organ allocation and use
  • Current perspectives on the emerging role of ventricular assist devices (VADs) as destination therapy (as an alternative to transplantation) and their financial implications
  • New ways of using genetic information to avoid invasive procedures in children with heart transplant rejection


NOTABLE EVENTS

  • The meeting will feature a joint symposium of ISHLT and the American Society of Transplantation (AST) representing the first time the two largest organ transplant societies have joined forces. The societies will tackle the problem of traditional and "exotic" infections in thoracic transplantation (e.g. HIV and SARS). In particular, the controversy of organ transplantation in HIV infected patients will be featured.

  • World-famous physician, scientist and medical pioneer, Sir Magdi Yacoub, M.D., will be honored with the ISHLT's Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award has only been presented by the Society twice in its 24-year history.

    The final scientific program and hotel information are available at www.ishlt.org/meetings/annualMeeting.asp.

    Additional information about the meeting will be posted as it becomes available. If you would like to receive updates and news releases by fax or e-mail, please contact Kelly Goff at [email protected] or 210-378-1980, or Lauren Mason at [email protected] or 210-731-6646.

    The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the science and treatment of end-stage heart and lung diseases. Created in 1981 at a gathering of about 15 cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, the Society now includes more than 2,200 members from 45-plus countries, representing a variety of disciplines involved in the management and treatment of end-stage heart and lung disease.

    ISHLT members include anesthesiologists, basic scientists, cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, ethicists, immunologists, nurses, pathologists, perfusionists, pharmacists, pulmonologists, tissue engineers, and transplant coordinators. Despite their differing specializations, all ISHLT members share a common dedication to the advancement of the science and treatment of end-stage heart and lung disease. For more information, visit www.ishlt.org.




    • This article comes from Science Blog. Copyright � 2004
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