For the first time in its 6-year history, PCR London Valves, the world's largest Course solely devoted to addressing the rapidly expanding and innovative field of transcatheter therapies for valvular heart disease, will be taking place in Berlin, Germany, from the 20 to 22 of September 2015. Germany has long been in the forefront of research and development in innovative treatments for heart disease and patient care - it is highly fitting that PCR London Valves is taking place here.
Rapid technological developments, newly affirmed methods of team working and case selection have set the stage for a revolution in the management of valvular heart disease. PCR London Valves 2015, led this year by a new team of Course Directors including Jean Fajadet, Michael Haude, Bernard Prendergast, Corrado Tamburino and Stephan Windecker, offers a programme that reflects the complexity of this field while ensuring ample exposure to the latest practical and scientific advances for all participants. The Heart Team remains an important focus as well, with multiple opportunities for Heart Teams to interact, exchange and learn. Complexity will be interwoven with a commitment to a patient-centred approach.
This year's theme is "The evolution of percutaneous valve therapy from TAVI to mitral intervention". PCR London Valves 2015 focuses on all aspects of these interventions: the established alternative to surgery in inoperable and high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, the now considered standard therapy for mitral stenosis and pulmonary valve disease and rapidly emerging treatment options in mitral and tricuspid regurgitation.
Live demonstrations, a key feature of the Course, will be taking place with renowned specialists sharing their technical skills and decision-making processes. These will be broadcast from London (St Thomas' Hospital), Berlin (the Vivantes Klinikum Am Urban/im Friedrichshain/DHZB) and Bad Nauheim (Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Centre).
"Imaging Sunday", combining state-of-the-art lectures and practical workshops dedicated to the critical role of imaging and its fast technological evolution, will take place on September 20th.
Specific programme tracks throughout the 3 days of the Course ensure that each individual practitioner can easily discover the take-home message they need. These include a "Nurses and Technicians" track involving all aspects of the care of patients with valvular heart disease, an "Innovation Track" highlighting the latest technical advances in transcatheter valve therapy, and "Learning Tracks" focused on the essential tips and tricks for each procedure.
A special dedicated supplement of EuroIntervention will be published for PCR London Valves 2015 which will be a reference work and comprehensive review of the Course.
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