ACC conference opens with a new partner, an emphasis on quality

CHICAGO—The 57th annual American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions opened this morning under brisk, cloudy skies in Chicago. For the first time this year, the ACC is partnering with the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). As a result, the annual SCAI Scientific Sessions has combined with the ACC’s Innovation in Intervention: i2 Summit “to expand and improve the programming available,” according to the college.

“There are things that SCAI did at its meetings that ACC traditionally did not do and vice versa, so the new SCAI-ACCi2 will be a better and broader meeting for interventional cardiologists,” said ACC President James T. Dove, MD, FACC.

The SCAI-ACCi2 meeting will feature four late-breaking clinical trial sessions, each with six trials and commentary on each trial; technology and education sessions; and four keynote lectures over four days.

Also new to the ACC program this year, attendees will find heightened focus on quality assessment through its program, “Practice Innovation: Driving Revenue, Quality and Value.” These sessions will not only focus on translating science into practice, but also on the recommendations for the current U.S. healthcare system, in light of the current political and social implications, as well as the registries and guidelines. “Health system reform is essential and it’s imminent,” Dove stressed.

“The unifying influence of ACC.08 comes at an important time for our profession as we are caught in the surge of a push for healthcare reform amid calls for cost effectiveness and quality reporting,” Dove continued.

While many conference attendees have yet to register, the initial attendee statistics for 2008 SCAI-ACCi2 conference is approximately 17,000 cardiovascular professionals, compared to 14,000 professionals who, combined, attended the conferences last year. The total number of educational and promotional grants received by SCAI-ACCi2 in 2008 shows an increase of 124 percent from 2007.    

In addition to the scientific sessions, approximately 400 companies are exhibiting their products, offering a combination of cutting-edge science and practical clinical applications through their solutions.

Finally, this year, the college also is contributing to its host city. The ACC Foundation is sharing 50 percent of all donations received on-site in Chicago with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

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