Patricia A. Pellikka, MD, FASE

The ASE 2013 Annual Scientific Sessions begin on June 29, just a few months away, and I can’t wait to welcome you to my home state, Minnesota! The name of the state is derived from the Dakota words, “minne” for “water” and “sotah” for “sky-tinted”. With its “10,000 lakes” (actually, there are many more), Minnesota has more shoreline than California. Summers in Minnesota can’t be beat and the temperature will be perfect for you to participate in the ASE Foundation’s 2 ^nd Annual 5K Run for Echo on Monday morning through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

The conference chair, Dr. Judy Hung, Associate Director of Echocardiography at Mass General, and our Scientific Sessions Program Committee have pulled out all stops to make this a particularly memorable event. For 2013, the Program Committee reinvented the program by having all of ASE’s councils work together to create some truly innovative multispecialty symposia. Many of ASE 2013’s sessions will reflect the team-based nature of echocardiography by incorporating many specialists discussing a single topic. You can look forward to an exciting array of sessions highlighting the role of echocardiography in both diagnosis and treatment.

ASE 2013 is the place for you to showcase your patient experiences as well as learn from the experts. Do you have a case where the images were central to the diagnosis? Please consider submitting it for our new Clinical Case Competition. Or submit an abstract to promote your latest research. In addition to the poster presentations, several of the best abstracts will be presented in the main sessions rooms. And, you won’t want to miss some of the youngest stars in cardiovascular ultrasound when they present their research during the Arthur E. Weyman Young Investigator’s Award competition. Did you know that the winner of this competition has the opportunity to present his or her research at the EuroEcho and Japanese Society of Echocardiography Scientific Sessions?

Following on the success of last year’s “Hearts in Space” session, we are excited to present “The Athlete’s Heart: A 360° Perspective.” How is the athlete’s heart distinguished from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? For which cardiac conditions is participation in competitive athletics contraindicated? You will learn about the role echocardiography plays from the perspectives of a multidisciplinary panel, including an exercise physiologist and the New England Patriots’ cardiologist.

We are excited to add a live scanning component to this year’s meeting. These how-to sessions will give you practical information to instantly enhance your patient care. These sessions will show how to best detect aortic stenosis (how does 3D help?), hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (how can the left ventricular gradient be distinguished from the mitral regurgitation jet?), and segmental assessment of complex congenital heart disease. In addition, ASE 2013 will feature the latest applications of echo, including 3D, molecular imaging, tissue imaging, and therapeutic ultrasound. Special sessions on interventional echocardiography will give you the opportunity to watch actual cases, while learning about the new transcatheter valves, how to guide implantation, manage complications, and incorporate the recommendations of ASE guidelines. Nearly all sessions will include cases and opportunities to ask questions of the faculty.

Dr. Hung has planned 25 different breakfast sessions at which you can learn from the leaders in cardiovascular ultrasound. Each of these ticketed sessions is strictly limited to 25 participants to ensure the best experience possible. Session topics include: echocardiographic assessment of patients with ventricular assist devices, left ventricular mechanics, prosthetic valve dysfunction, and how to incorporate assessment of diastolic function into clinical care.

Echo Jeopardy is back! ASE is pleased to welcome this crowd-pleasing educational session to Minneapolis. You also won’t want to miss the Edler Lecture by Dr. Sanjiv Kaul, the Feigenbaum Lecture by Dr. Partho Sengupta, and the first annual Kalmanson Lecture by Dr. Colette Veyrat.

And our sessions always go beyond education, to integrate networking, social events and opportunities to enjoy the highlights of the host city. You won’t want to miss seeing your colleagues at our Welcome Reception on Sunday evening. It will take place outside the convention center in a beautiful park to take advantage of the warm Minnesota summers. The ASE Foundation will also host its 4 ^th Annual Gala at Windows on Minnesota, with a spectacular view over the city. This event honors our ASE award winners while raising funds to support cardiovascular research.

Outdoor enthusiasts rejoice! Minneapolis is the American Fitness Index’s “Fittest City in America.” With lakes galore, the most bike-friendly city in the nation, a park every six blocks, and four professional sports teams playing within the city limits will guarantee that your visit will be active. If you are looking for an alternative to the outdoors, plan to take advantage of Minneapolis’ world-class museums, breathtaking architecture, and more theater seats per capita than any U.S. city outside New York. Minneapolis has become a premier destination for arts lovers.

Minneapolis is also a foodie’s paradise! With four distinct seasons and dozens of international culinary traditions, restaurants offer farm-to-table experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Last year alone four local chefs were nominated for the James Beard Award. Experience the flavors of Sweden, Germany and Poland—or Somalia, Vietnam and Mexico.

Do you have time to enjoy Minnesota before or after the meeting? Venture on a canoe trip through the Boundary Waters into Canada; visit the home of author Laura Ingalls Wilder on the banks of Plum Creek; enjoy one of the numerous golf courses; or visit us at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, just 85 miles from downtown Minneapolis. I personally invite you to discover why Garrison Keillor describes this area as “where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average” and experience what is meant by “Minnesota nice”. With all the area has to offer, and a truly spectacular program, this is a Scientific Sessions that you won’t want to miss! Discounted registration rates are available through May 31 at www.asescientificsessions.org .