James D. Thomas, MD, FASE

Registration has opened for the Society’s annual scientific sessions, and we have a fantastic line-up for the meeting. ASE 2012 will be held at National Harbor, MD (just outside Washington, DC) from June 30–July 3. Just as our meeting ends, the Fourth of July celebration begins, and where better to celebrate July 4 ^th than in the nation’s capital, with fairs, parades, concerts and, of course, fireworks over the Potomac? For our overseas attendees, this is a wonderful opportunity to engage in a real American tradition. Come for the meeting; stay for the Fourth!

Those who attended the ASE Scientific Sessions in 2009 will remember the convenience of the Gaylord National Harbor conference center, where hotel rooms, meeting symposia, social functions and entertainment are all under one roof, but you won’t believe what’s new! Both National Harbor and the Gaylord itself have added dining, shopping and entertainment venues to greatly enhance the variety of activities available to both attendees and their families, and the Gaylord’s room rates are even lower than they were in 2009! The property has partnered with DreamWorks Entertainment to add character breakfasts and summer pool parties for the kids, and an expanded Lounge Bar allows adults to mingle with colleagues and friends. The number of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel has more than doubled to 33, offering options for every budget and taste, and 35 shops add interest to strolls around the waterfront. Water taxis from the Gaylord Pier offer easy access to Alexandria, VA and Mount Vernon, and a downtown DC shuttle departs every 90 minutes from the Gaylord National to Union Station or the Old Post Office.

The fireworks will be a perfect finale for all the excitement created by the research and educational sessions the meeting. Sherif Nagueh and his committee have created a program that is both novel and practical, designed to inspire and provide valuable pearls to all who attend. I’ll highlight just a few of the brand new sessions that will be offered this year.

On Saturday, June 30, cardiology subspecialty organizations representing the other major imaging modalities join ASE in presenting a multi-modality integrated imaging symposium featuring four consecutive sessions on the evaluation of patients with hypertropic cardiomyopathy, aortic disease, pericardial disease, and coronary artery disease using echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac CT, and cardiac MR. That same day, the fundamentals of the bedside-focused ultrasound exam will be the focus of a symposium of interest to all practitioners of focused ultrasound, including critical care, emergency department and chest physicians.

Also on Saturday, a practice management and advocacy track will focus on the rapid changes in the health care delivery system and provide tips on how to maintain a successful practice in this volatile environment. Both private and hospital-based practice issues will be explored. These sessions will also feature expert speakers from outside ASE to hone in on what you can do in these challenging times to position CV ultrasound and your practice to thrive in the future.

Whether you are an established investigator or a fellow considering a career in academic research, you’ll want to attend the Basic Science & Clinical Careers Symposium on Sunday, July 1. Learn how today’s imaging research and technological innovations are shaping tomorrow’s health care during a session with speakers from the NIH and FDA, while picking up valuable tips on how to jump-start your own research career.

With the FDA approval of the Edwards Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences Corp, Irvine, CA), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is all the buzz in cardiology. Because echocardiographers play such an integral role, ASE 2012 will afford attendees an opportunity to view live transmission of this procedure during a session on Tuesday, July 3. The transmission from the Washington Hospital Medical Center in Washington, DC, will feature interventional cardiologists and echo faculty.

These novel sessions all take place along side the usual tracks we have come to expect at the ASE meeting. The Council on Perioperative Echocardiography (Did you notice? They have a new name!) has gathered experts from surgery, anesthesiology, and cardiology to explore all aspects of operative and percutaneous management of mitral valve disease. The Cardiovascular Sonographer Track will offer practical advice to beginning and seasoned practitioners, including 3D, strain, contrast, latest guidelines and standards of practice, and congenital heart disease. The Council on Vascular Ultrasound has designed a series of sessions with particular emphasis on assessment of carotid disease. The Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Track has something for those who live in this world every day, as well as for those of us who only occasionally encounter these patients. There will be two additional tracks, one with lectures on basic principles and techniques of echocardiography, the other focusing on advanced applications for the echo aficionado. And of course: cases, cases, and more cases!

We will of course have hundreds of abstracts of basic research presented as posters and oral presentations, culminating at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 2, in the Arthur E. Weyman Young Investigator’s Award Competition, where the 4 best abstracts are judged by a panel of luminaries for cash prizes and international recognition. New this year will be the presentation of late-breaking science; submissions for late-breaking science open on March 1.

A conference wouldn’t be complete without a chance to honor those who stand out in the field and to have some fun with colleagues and old and new friends. The President’s Reception on Saturday and the Attendee Reception on Sunday offer opportunities to do just that. The latter follows the Awards Presentation/ASE Annual Business Meeting and the 23 ^rd Annual Edler Lecture, where Past-President Roberto Lang will share his vision of 3D echocardiography. And the winners of ASE’s most prestigious awards will again be honored at the Third Annual ASE Foundation Awards Gala on Saturday night. The gala, in the beautiful Sunset Room on National Harbor, will have guests dining on Wolfgang Puck fare and feature dancing after dinner. Among those honored will be:

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  2012 Cardiac Sonographer Distinguished Teacher Award: Deborah A. Agler, RCT, RDCS, FASE

  
  
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  2012 Feigenbaum Lecturer: Philippe Pibarot, DVM, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FASE, FESC

  
  
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  2012 Meritorious Service Award: Arthur E. Weyman, MD, FASE

  
  
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  2012 Pediatric Excellence in Teaching Award: Mary Etta King, MD, FASE

  
  
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  2012 Physician Lifetime Achievement Award: Miguel Quinones, MD

  
  
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  2012 Richard Popp Excellence in Teaching Award: Gerard P. Aurigemma, MD, FASE

From remarkable research and education to sparkling table settings and shimmering fireworks, it’s all part of ASE 2012. I look forward to welcoming you to National Harbor on June 30!