Out of every thousand children born each year, perhaps four have congenital heart disease severe enough to require surgery or catheter intervention. Survival rates are so high that today more adults than children are living with congenital heart disease—and cardiologists surgeons and health care professionals with experience and expertise in treating these patients are in great demand.

Stay on the leading edge with the latest information on congenital heart disease. At ACC.08, the focused Congenital Cardiology Solutions track—new this year—offers the perfect opportunity to learn about exciting interventional and surgical techniques for treating infants, children, and adults; recent advances in genetic and clinical research; current controversies in clinical decision-making; and practical tips for helping patients and families with important life transitions.

You know the management of congenital heart disease is both complex and rewarding. That’s why ACC.08 is the place to come for premier educational programming. In one venue, you not only learn the latest in interventional and surgical procedures, you also catch up on advances in other areas of cardiology pertinent to the care of patients with congenital heart disease, including diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, electrophysiology, and preventive cardiology.

Enjoy a full day of groundbreaking live cases by master interventionalists at Columbus Children’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, plus in-depth educational sessions with on-site experts—all tailored for those with an interest in congenital cardiology. Click here for more informationon live cases at CCS.08.

• Coarctation of the aorta—advances and controversies: Risk and outcome of coarctation stenting and angioplasty; Indications for covered stents; Can aortic stents be redilated years later? Stenting coarctation in the adult patient.
• Pulmonary stent valve implantation. This groundbreaking procedure is just one example of the expanding use of interventional techniques in the treatment of congenital heart disease. Hear the latest on clinical trials, stent valve design, safety and outcomes.
• Hybrid surgical/interventional procedures. A new and expanding trend in congenital cardiology. Learn about palliative hybrid procedures for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: Techniques, outcomes, and complications. Plus: Is hybrid palliation indicated for high-risk patients only?
• Interventions in the developing fetus. Once unimaginable, fetal interventions are among the hottest topics in congenital cardiology. Learn about the techniques, outcomes and complications of fetal aortic valvuloplasty.
• Update on FDA trials. Hear the latest status reports on devices for ventricular septal defect, patent foramen ovale, patent ductus arteriosus, coarctation of the aorta, and pulmonary artery stenosis.

Hot Topics
PFO Closure for Migraine Headaches
Millions of Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Approximately 60 percent also have a patent foramen ovale. Learn what clinical studies and first-hand experience are telling us about this intriguing link.

• What is the connection between PFO and migraine?
• What do we know so far about the efficacy of PFO closure for relieving migraine pain?
• Are clinical trials focusing on the right patient population?
• What can we tell patients as we wait for definitive answers?

Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes
Each year a few seemingly fit and healthy athletes die suddenly during a sporting event. As the 2008 Olympics approaches, this is the perfect time to take a fresh look at the rare but tragic disorders responsible for taking young lives without warning.

• Which athletes are at risk for sudden cardiac death?
• What is the most effective and efficient way to screen young athletes?
• Congenital coronary abnormalities associated with SCD
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Surgical treatment
• How can we prevent these deaths?
• The European experience

Genetic Basis of Congenital Syndromes and Cardiomyopathies
Take advantage of an unprecedented opportunity to learn about one of the hottest topics in congenital heart disease from presenters who are true stars in the field.

• Cardiac development
• Translational medicine in congenital heart disease
• Genetic basis of congenital heart disease
• Molecular basis of congenital heart disease

More Highlights

• VSD closure: Surgery versus intervention. With the recent FDA approval of a percutaneous VSD closure device, this debate has never been more timely. Learn which patients are best suited for each approach.
• Secondary pulmonary hypertension. Learn about the mechanism and pathogenesis, evaluation and management, promising investigational drugs, and the timing of shunt closure.
• Congenital pulmonary vein stenosis. Though rare, this condition is highly challenging to treat. Learn about anatomic variations to pulmonary vein anatomy, the clinical presentation of congenital pulmonary vein stenosis, noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques, and interventional and surgical options for the child with pulmonary vein stenosis.

• Transition of teen and young adult patients to an adult congenital cardiologist: Major issues and barriers. After years with the same pediatric cardiologist, it can be difficult for teens and young adults to make the leap to an adult CHD specialist. In addition to heightened emotions, patients and families may face limited availability of adult congenital heart disease clinics and spotty insurance coverage. Learn what patients and families need, and what it takes to ensure a successful transition.
• Pregnancy and congenital heart disease. What are the risks to the mother? What is the likelihood the baby will also have congenital heart disease? How best to manage these risks? Get answers to these questions and more.

Plus Register for The SCAI Annual Scientific Sessions in Partnership with ACC i2 Summit  for additional congenital cardiology programming. Topics include:

• Interventional courses spanning the spectrum from basic to state-of-the-art for pediatric and congenital specialists
• Original research in pediatric and congenital interventional cardiology
• Focused symposia on the latest pediatric and congenital interventions
• "I Blew It" sessions: Learn from the mistakes of the pediatric and congenital experts
• Debates on the controversies of the day for pediatric and congenital interventional cardiology
• Special lecture by pioneering interventionalist William Hellenbrand, M.D.

Click here for more information about SCAI-ACCi2.