Vera Rigolin, MD, FASE

Roberto M. Lang, MD, FASE

Plan now to attend the most comprehensive cardiovascular ultrasound conference, the ASE 2010 Scientific Sessions, on June 12–15 in sunny San Diego, California. In addition to educational sessions focusing on the latest treatment strategies and newest technologies, there will be no shortage of recreational and networking opportunities. Find out first-hand why San Diego is known as “America’s Finest City.”

Your time is valuable, and to make the most of your attendance, this year’s meeting will offer a condensed format. A full-day symposium, Heart Valve Innovations & Clinical Approaches , will launch the conference. The cutting-edge medical and surgical aspects of the care of patients with valvular heart disease will be debated and discussed in depth. This session combines the expertise of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, interventionalists, and sonographers, and is designed to appeal to all those interested in the advancement of Doppler-echocardiography for the evaluation of valvular heart disease.

Saturday concludes with the Scientific Sessions’ featured social event, the first-ever ASE Foundation Awards Gala and Fundraiser. Enjoy an elegant four-course dinner and a memorable evening while supporting research and the future of cardiovascular ultrasound. While raising money for future ASEF research grants, the event will also honor the accomplishments of select top Society award winners, including the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Itzhak Kronzon, MD, FASE; the 2010 Feigenbaum Lecturer, Victor Mor-Avi, PhD, FASE; and winners of the Richard Popp Excellence in Teaching Award, Cardiac Sonographer Distinguished Teaching Award, and Pediatric Excellence in Teaching Award. These winners had not yet been named at the time of print. The event will be held at San Diego’s landmark, the El Cortez Don Room, located in the famous Gaslamp Quarter. Honor the awardees by serving as a table captain and purchasing a table for ten on behalf of your friends and colleagues. Tables are based on availability and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at www.asefoundation.org . Individual tickets will also be available, and a portion of all ticket prices will be a tax-deductible donation to the ASE Foundation. Tickets and tables won’t last long, so plan early to attend.

Sunday and Monday will showcase a series of symposia with topics ranging from the latest in 3D echocardiography, diastology, and contrast echocardiography. In the midst of all of these symposia there will be an array of traditional sessions to choose from, including: case presentations from around the world; core curriculum; how-to; vascular, exam prep, and Sonographer Registry Review sessions. The sonographer track will run throughout ASE 2010 and promises to provide comprehensive information on the technical and clinical aspects of Doppler echocardiography, specifically geared toward cardiac sonographers. The congenital track features joint sessions with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and participating attendees will be able to learn the imaging aspects of pediatric cardiology. Monday closes with the ever-popular educational game “Who Wants to be an Echo Millionaire?” presenting impressive echocardiographic cases in a fun, fast-paced atmosphere.

Tuesday highlights some of the most popular sessions: a gripping debate on two controversial topics and case presentations by echo legends themselves. Furthermore, the conference is expanding its audience by providing an educational session especially designed for nurses working in echocardiography laboratories, offering information on how to administer contrast and intravenous sedation for transesophageal echocardiography.

To enhance attendees’ learning experiences, education doesn’t end in the classroom. The Exhibit & Poster Hall holds the academic component of the meeting, showcasing several hundred high quality abstracts that highlight the latest in cutting-edge science. This aspect of the meeting is particularly important for our trainees, who are at the heart of the research endeavors at our academic institutions.

New in 2010, an Imaging Village will house a series of scintillating events on a daily basis, including industry-sponsored “Lunch & Learn” sessions, live scanning, IV insertion workshops, computer sessions depicting novel software, practical small group activities, and hands-on sessions. The Exhibit & Poster Hall will be a vibrant hub of activity where our industry sponsors will be showcasing their latest and greatest technologies. Plan to enjoy numerous food options, stay connected using email kiosks, and enjoy a cup of coffee while networking with your colleagues.

We are honored this year to have Liv Hatle, MD, FASE, a pioneer in the development of Echo Doppler, as one of our guest faculty. Dr. Hatle will share her past and current experiences in a special session chaired by Jamil Tajik, MD, FASE, an echo legend in his own right. Don’t miss all the exceptional speakers, international faculty and legends of echocardiography.

You’ve worked hard; now it’s time to play! Turn this educational conference into a vacation. The conference is located in the heart of the city, and San Diego has something to offer everyone. Within steps of the San Diego Convention Center and ASE 2010 educational sessions, you can take a stroll along the waterfront, dine at any of the 100-plus restaurants across the street in the Gaslamp Quarter or take in a baseball game at PETCO Park Baseball Stadium Tuesday evening, when the San Diego Padres take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Registration is now open; we look forward to seeing you in June!