WELCOMING NEW TASK FORCE MEMBERS

A full list of task force members, including new members, can be found here.

We were delighted to welcome several new members to our task forces recently following a formal nomination process. Members were encouraged to self-nominate for a place on their preferred task force and we received over 200 highquality applications. Successful candidates were selected based on their expertise and experience in each specialty.

The new nomination procedure aims to encourage more members to take an active role in EACTS’ domains and task forces. Membership of each task force is staggered so there will be further opportunities to join a task force over the coming years. I would like to thank outgoing members for their valued contributions.

The domain and task force chairs came together in Paris recently for the first Annual Meeting programme committee meeting. We look forward to sharing more details of the exciting scientific programme we have planned for the 37th EACTS Annual Meeting.

New Technology Task Force

“EACTS is a leader in engaging women and promoting female leadership in cardiac surgery. However, the ability to innovateespecially in the technological field - is often still considered a male trait. Societal stereotypes and a lack of role models undoubtedly have an impact on the number of women innovators so it’s therefore very encouraging that the New Technology Task Force is becoming more diverse with both male and female members.”

Aortic Valve Task Force

“It is an honour to be a member of the Aortic Valve Task Force at a time of increasing cardiological intervention. At this juncture it is more important than ever to address evidence-based practice and review the literature to demonstrate the outcomes of surgery. The task force enables us to share members’ experiences from different countries so that we can define the optimal configuration of a heart team.

“For the past few years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the design of the scientific programme for the Annual Meeting, specifically in relation to the management of the aortic valve and aortic dissection. I am looking forward to working on this year’s programme as part of the task force.”

“Mitral and tricuspid valve disease affect millions of people worldwide and, in recent years, has taken centre stage in device development with rapidly evolving technology. Cardiac surgery was the first specialty able to offer meaningful treatment for valve pathologies, and over the decades, we have established extremely safe and successful procedures to help patients. As surgeons, we must stay intimately involved with all the new developments in this space & contribute to the evolving science. Further, the EACTS Mitral & Tricuspid Task Force can play an important role in training the next generation of valve specialists and fostering collaborations with our non-surgical colleagues to benefit our patients. I’m excited to contribute with my expertise to all of these important initiatives.”

Vascular Disease Domain

Konstantinos Tsagakis, Chair

Members of the Vascular Disease Domain and the Chairs of our associated task forces held a very productive meeting last month in Paris to discuss the scientific programme for the 37th EACTS Annual Meeting. We look forward to sharing more details in due course.

We continue to work closely with the Academy programme to develop training courses that deliver hands-on experience and develop knowledge and skills across a range of topics prevalent to vascular disease. Our popular Fundamentals in Aortic Surgery course recently took place at EACTS House in Windsor and was also available online for attendees unable to join us in person. The programme covered the major aspects of aortic surgery and guidance was given to those attendees wishing to embark upon an endovascular programme. For those in Windsor we had 5 hands-on stations, from the aortic root to the arch to endovascular treatments. We would like to thank all the attendees, faculty and Industry partners who helped make this course a success once again.

Our first webinar of 2023 explored aortic dissection and feedback* has been very positive, with over 90% of participants rating the webinar excellent or good and describing the course as a good investment. The second online webinar, which takes place on 11 May, is focused on Connective Tissue Disease and specifically decision making in root and ascending aortic disease. More information about this webinar can be found here

*of those attendees who completed the evaluation

Join the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee

Chair and committee member positions available

We have an exciting opportunity for EACTS members to take an influential role in the development of comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that are critical to the delivery of the highest standards of patient care.

Our Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Committee is looking to appoint a Chair and approximately eight new committee members representing one or more of the following domains and fields of expertise:

• Acquired cardiac disease

• Congenital heart disease

• Thoracic disease

• Vascular disease

• Clinical research methodology.

About the CPG Committee

The Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee supports the development of comprehensive and regularly updated clinical practice guidelines. The guidelines help surgeons and other members of the heart team provide informed recommendations on the best treatment options available to their patients. Members of the Committee are responsible for guiding the programme, which includes building and fostering collaborations with other international bodies on consensus statements and guidelines for maximising dissemination and implementation.

The Committee also has a role in ensuring guidelines follow EACTS’ published methodology and will work with the CPG Director to strengthen this area.

The Committee also has a role in providing education and training to develop and improve methodology for society documents.

Committee Chair

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced member to lead this important committee. The Chair of the CPG Committee is responsible for representing the vision and purpose of our clinical practice guidelines and working with the CPG Director to contribute knowledge and expertise across a range of topics.

Closing Date

The closing date for both Chair and Committee roles is 28 April 2023, 5pm GMT.

How To Apply

Visit here for more information including job descriptions and application details.

Giulia Zuodar, Guidelines Programme Manager, can also be contacted with any questions at giulia.zuodar@eacts.co.uk