ACCA annual congress shines lights on managing risk in acute cardiovascular care

Acute Cardiovascular Care 2016 will put a spotlight on managing high risk patients.

The annual congress of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACCA), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), is held 15 to 17 October at the Centro de Congressos de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal. The full scientific programme is available here.

This year features state-of-the-art presentations by leading experts on "managing risk in acute cardiovascular care", the congress theme.

Professor Doron Zahger, Chairperson of the Scientific Programme, said: "All healthcare professionals working in acute cardiac care manage high risk patients in various situations such as acute heart failure, cardiac arrest, acute coronary syndromes, and high risk arrhythmias which can lead to sudden death."

Acute cardiovascular care is the specialty of cardiology dealing with acute problems in need of urgent care including heart attack, cardiac arrest, and acute heart failure, but also other conditions leading to acute cardiovascular problems such as pulmonary embolism or stroke.

Original scientific research will be unveiled in a rich abstract programme covering the entire spectrum of acute cardiac care.

New studies will be presented on the hot topic of diagnosing myocardial infarction in the ambulance and emergency room. Professor Zahger said: "Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure that patients receive the right treatment quickly, that the damage caused by heart attack is limited, and that the risk of heart failure is minimised. Accordingly, much research is ongoing in an effort to diagnose myocardial infarction earlier and more accurately."

Novel methods using shock wave therapy or medication for regenerating heart tissue that has suffered from restricted blood supply (ischaemia) will be revealed. The techniques may reduce infarct size, control inflammation, and improve heart function in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Inequalities in treatment of cancer patients who have a heart attack will be presented for the first time. The media will hear first-hand how care of these patients compares to those without cancer and the impact on in-hospital outcomes.

The use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to prevent sudden death is explored in patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest that was caused by acute myocardial infarction. "This is a unique use for ICDs and journalists will hear whether or not it shows promise for the future," said Professor Zahger.

ESC Gold Medallist Professor Keith Fox will give a keynote lecture during the inaugural session entitled "Vulnerable plaques in vulnerable patients", providing journalists with new insights in this exciting field.

An innovative virtual case area will showcase interactive demonstrations on a digital patient simulator. Cases with symptoms including palpitations, breathing difficulties, and swollen legs will be enacted in virtual patients created for the congress and discussed by international experts.

This is the prime scientific event for all healthcare professionals working in acute cardiac care. More than 1000 delegates from around 80 countries are expected, including cardiologists, emergency physicians, intensive care physicians, interventionists, anaesthesiologists, imaging specialists, internists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, paramedics and other allied professionals who care for acutely ill cardiac patients.

With hundreds of abstracts and more than 50 scientific sessions over three days, this is the event of the year in acute cardiovascular care.