Acquired Cardiac Disease Domain Update

Filip Casselman, Chair

We are excited to announce the creation of two new Task Forces which are part of the Acquired Cardiac Disease Domain – the Robotic Surgery Task Force and the Aviation Medicine and Cardiac Surgery Task Force.

The Robotic Surgery Task Force, chaired by Wouter Oosterlinck, will oversee robotic surgery in Europe and review new robotic devices, providing a centralised education and training pathway in this field as well as the development of a European Registry for robotic cardiac (mitral and coronary) and thoracic surgery.

The role of the Aviation Medicine and Cardiac Surgery Task Force, chaired by Dr Thomas Syburra, is to lead, advise and support EACTS activities in all matters concerned with aviation medicine and cardiac surgery including educational output,

research and training, and Guidelines. The creation of this new Task Force will ensure EACTS stays up to date and fully engaged in all new and emerging evidence and technologies in Aviation Medicine as it pertains to cardiac surgery.

The Translational Research and Surgical Science Task Force

The Basic Science Task Force has plans to broaden its area of work and as such will now be known as the Translational Research and Surgical Science Task Force. The goal of this Task Force is to lead, advise and support EACTS’ activities in all matters concerned with basic science, clinical trials and emergent knowledge.

We are working hard with all Task Forces within the Acquired Cardiac Disease Domain to develop a balanced and highly scientific programme for the 36th EACTS Annual Meeting. Abstract submissions are now open and we encourage members to submit abstracts for presentation. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your work and further strengthen the Annual Meeting programme. More information about how to submit an abstract can be found at www.eacts. org/annual-meeting/abstract-submission.

Finally, keep an eye on your mailboxes for information about forthcoming courses organised by the various Task Forces. These courses are invaluable to helping advance education and deepen specialist knowledge.