Final Programme - World Heart Federation

WeLCoMe Address
A warm welcome to the World Congress of Cardiology 2008.
It is our pleasure, speaking on behalf of the joint organizers
of the World Heart Federation, the Argentine Society of
Cardiology and the Argentine Federation of Cardiology, to
welcome delegates from the furthest corners of the globe
to Buenos Aires.
We strongly believe that it is only with each and every
one of us working together that we will make a significant
difference – and that is what the World Congress of
Cardiology seeks to achieve. Our joint focus is on individual,
community and patient care interventions and the growing
epidemic of cardiovascular disease that could and can be
prevented and managed more effectively.
We all know the statistics, or a version of it – that
cardiovascular disease, primarily heart disease and stroke, is
known to be responsible for a staggering 17.5 million deaths
a year. A total, 80% of these deaths are in low- and middleincome
countries, and we all have a role to play in changing
this trend, be it through prevention, education or the sharing
of knowledge. These are three key themes that unite the
approach of your World Congress Organizers, not to mention
many thousands of our participants.
And for now – WCC 2008 welcomes world class speakers
with topical and wide-ranging sessions under the theme of
“From patients to populations” – a theme that offers a rich,
diverse and rewarding opportunity to share new and exciting
advances in the fields of prevention and management of
heart disease and all its inter-related factors. Whether it
be part of the official scientific programme, a commercial
satellite symposium or a workshop or taking the time to
discover the wealth of new devices and pharmaceutical
products present in the exhibition hall – the World Congress
of Cardiology offers a wide and rich breadth of educational
material to enhance your personal learning and career. You
will see that the WCC 2008 also offers Continuing Medical
Education Credits (CME) – be sure to benefit from this
internationally recognized programme. Full details may be
found on page 60 of this WCC Final Programme.
As previously communicated, one key objective of
the scientific programme is to feature globally relevant
topics in the diagnosis, management and treatment
of cardiovascular disease, which includes basic clinical
and population research and another is to address public
policy and advocacy topics related to cardiovascular
disease. Whilst these objectives are shared by all three
joint organizers, it is of particular importance for the
World Heart Federation in its continuing relationships
with changing partners to construct your future World
Congresses of Cardiology. It is your participation that
makes the World Congress of Cardiology what it is and
it is your input and feedback that creates an environment
in which to exchange science and build stronger and better
working practices and procedures for the future.
The World Congress of Cardiology, the official congress
of the World Heart Federation, is delighted to be back in
Argentina for a second time. We encourage you to take
the opportunity post congress to visit this beautiful country
and experience the famous warmth of the Argentine people.
Welcome – we look forward to meeting you over the next
few days. Enjoy your World Congress of Cardiology and
Buenos Aires.
Horacio Faella, MD Shahryar Sheikh, MD
President of the WCC 2008 President of the World Heart Federation
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