Italian Society of Cardiology20

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[Blending tradition with innovation ]

SICPATIENT CARE, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

SIC - SOCIETÀ ITALIANA DI CARDIOLOGIA

ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 1

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Rome, Via Po 24Tel. +39 06 85355854Fax +39 06 85356799www.sicardiologia.it SIC PRESIDENT ADDRESS 1

SIC BOARD 2

ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGYAND FINSIC 3

WORKING GROUPS 4

REGIONAL SIC CHAPTERS 5

ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY 6

SCHOLAR IN CARDIOLOGY 9

EDUCATIONAL AND TEACHING MISSION 10

SIC MASTERS 12

SIC SCIENTIFIC CENTER 14

PUBLICATIONS 15

ITALIAN FOUNDATION HEART AND CIRCULATION - ONLUS 16

Dear friends and collegues,as you may know, my first involvement in the Italian Society of

Cardiology-SIC goes back to the end of the 80’s, and since then I havehad the privilege of serving in many positions. I feel strongly responsible asSIC President to maintain and further define its identity. The Italian Societyof Cardiology, founded in 1935, represents the academic soul of cardiologyand has carried out a key-role in the process of defining cardiology as adistinct and autonomous science. In this perspective, one of the mostimportant goals of the SIC must be education: such a target requires aneducational annual program, which will benefit from a network linking theheadquarters of the Society in Rome, the Regional Chapters and the Schools

of Cardiology all over the Country, supported by the new communication facilities. Preserving the peculiarity of the various cardiological societies doesn’t affect the dignity of ItalianCardiology, but makes the cardiological community richer and comprehensive. Surely it will benecessary to promote synergic actions to carry out regional/national/internationalprojects, taking advantage of tools such as the Italian Federation of Cardiology-FIC,which develops an important national/international coordination role. In the sameline of thinking, the convergence of SIC working groups with ANMCO areas and othercardiological societies can be accomplished in order to guarantee a strong Italianrepresentation in Europe, but without annihilating the distinctive features of eachactor. Coming to the national scene, where the cardiologic science is at risk offragmentation due to the expansion of subspecialties, my sense is that the “holistic”cultural SIC identity is a real innovation, even though it may sound paradoxical. The69th SIC Congress aims to reinforce the solid basis of the Italian cardiologictradition. Although there will be a lot of joint symposia with European and AmericanScientific Societies, that will represent an important moment of comparison and growth, SIC Congresswants to underline the importance of Italian cardiologic culture. Medicine is going more and more toward super-specialization: in cardiology, the introduction of newand sophisticated imaging methods and new devices for treatment of cardiovascular disease couldlead, as an adverse event, to fragmentation of cardiologic culture and to hyper-specialization of youngcardiologists. During the congress, therefore, we will restate the importance of the global approachthat cannot be anyway replaced with the new technologies which must represent a valid support tothe reasoning and clinical-diagnostic wisdom without replacing them.According to our purpose to join tradition and innovation, spaces dedicated to new technologies andtheir clinical, scientific and educational role will be expanded. In this brochure you will find theproposals aimed at refreshing the educational activities, as well as the preliminary program of the 69°SIC Congress to be held in Rome from December 13th to December 16th 2008.I wish that the scientific community will widely agree with my comments and that new issues may beproposed to SIC: they will be an invaluable help in favouring cultural growth as the ever-changing andchallenging scenarios of modern time require.

Francesco FedelePresident

“P resident address to European Cardiologists 20

08IndexCONTRIBUTIONS OF SIC TO CARDIOLOGY P

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© All rights reserved

GRAPHIC DESIGNCOMPOSITION AND REALIZATIONALESSANDRA NELLI[a.nelli@macfactory.it]

PHOTOGRAPHY:PAOLO CAPRIOLI[pao.caprioli@gmail.com]

TYPOGRAPHY:EUROGRAF SUD S.R.L.Via delle Grotte, 1100040 Ariccia (RM)

Printed July 2008

[Happiness and peace of the heart come fromdoing what we considerright and dutiful, and not from doingwhat other people use to say or do.

Mahatma Gandhi

]

2 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008

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08 President FRANCESCOFEDELE

Vice President GIUSEPPE ORETO

Secretary FRANCESCO PIZZUTO

Treasurer GIUSEPPE MERCURO

Councilors RAFFAELE BUGIARDINI

MARCO M. CICCONE

CESARE FIORENTINI

PAOLO MARINO

SAVINA NODARI

PASQUALE PERRONE FILARDI

GAETANO THIENE

Alessandra Bazzaniscientific secretariat

alessandra.bazzani@sicardiologia.it

Elena Caporalescientific secretariat

elena.caporale@sicardiologia.it

Laura Pelargonioscientific secretariat

laura.pelargonio@sicardiologia.it

Laura Stasiscientific secretariat

laura.stasi@sicardiologia.it

Antonella Amiconiadministration secretariat

antonella.amiconi@sicardiologia.it

Marilena Forniadministration secretariat

marilena.forni@sicardiologia.it

Raffaele Cirillosecretariat assistant

SIC Staff

Ad-hoc committees

ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 3

SIC Rome, Via Po 24Tel. (+39) 06 85355854 Fax (+39) 06 85356799www.sicardiologia.it

SOCIETÀ ITALIANA DI CARDIOLOGIA

THE ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY-SICA historical noteThe Italian Society of cardiology was officially born onMarch 20, 1956, when Luigi Condorelli as president andVittorio Puddu as secretary signed the official act infront of a public notary. An Italian Cardiological Group,however, was active since 1935, thanks to a small groupof pioneers which started regular meetings andpublications focused on Heart Disease.

THE ITALIAN SOCIETY OFCARDIOLOGY AND THE ITALIANFEDERATION OF CARDIOLOGYThe Italian Society of Cardiology adheres to the ItalianFederation of Cardiology (FIC), whose role is: 1) tocoordinate initiatives and projects in the cardiovascularfield, 2) to present uniform position to regulatoryauthorities, and 3) to represent Italy in theinternational context. We wish FIC will become moreand more an instrument to coordinate all ItalianCardiology groups.

FINSIC srla branch of SICCreated years ago by SIC and recently updated (seearticle 14 of SIC statute). FINSIC is an operativefinancial branch aimed at supporting SIC in anyinstitutional activity.Once decisions have been taken by the SIC board, itsfinancial branch will help organize the plannedactivities, and operates to promote communication andto spread information about the events. The FINSICrole, thus, is to implement congresses, meetings,seminars, and educational courses for continuingmedical updating, and any other initiative useful topromote progress of Cardiology. In addition, FINSIChelps SIC with publishing journals, periodicals, booksand audiovisual materials, promotes publicrelationships enhancement, and provides administrativeand secretarial services.

Francesco RomeoPresident of FINSIC

CONGRESS COMMITTEEChairman RAFFAELE BUGIARDINI

EDUCATION AND CME COMMITTEEChairman GIUSEPPE ORETO

FINANCIAL COMMITTEEChairman PAOLO MARINO

WORKING GROUPS COMMITTEEChairman MARCO M. CICCONE

INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEEChairman SAVINA NODARI

WEB SITE COMMITTEE Chairman PAOLO MARINO

SCIENTIF CENTER AND RESEARCH COMMITTEEChairman RAFFAELE BUGIARDINI

F.I.C. RELATION COMMITTEEChairman FRANCESCO FEDELE

[If I can stop oneHeart frombreaking I shallnot live invain.

Emily Dickinson]

Clinical Epidemiology and Cardiovascular PreventionROBERTO PEDRINELLICoronary Physiology and MicrocirculationLEONARDA GALIUTOEchocardiographySERGIO MONDILLOElectrophysiology, Arrhythmias and Cardiac PacingGIUSEPPE BORIANIEmergencyCORRADO CECCHETTI Exercise, Sport and RehabilitationMASSIMO PIEPOLIHeart FailureMARCO METRA

WORKINGGROUPS

Heart Valve DiseaseCARLO GAUDIOHypertension and the HeartCESARE FIORENTINIGender and Cardiovascular DiseaseGIUSEPPE MERCUROInterventional CardiologyGERMANO DI SCIASCIOMagnetic Resonance ImagingMASSIMO LOMBARDI Myocardial FunctionRENATO RAZZOLINI Nuclear Cardiology and CT scan in CardiologyPIERLUIGI PIERI

Nursing in CardiologyANGELINA LIBERTAZZI Peripheral CirculationGREGORIO BREVETTIPhlebologyALDO GALEANDRO Pulmonary Circulation and Right Ventricular FunctionCARLO MARINI Telecardiology and InformaticsMAURIZIO VOLTERRANI ThrombosisVITTORIO PENGO

PIEMONTE, VALLE D'AOSTA• Paolo Marinopaolo.marino@maggioreosp.novara.it

LOMBARDIA• Marco Metrametramarco@libero.it

LAZIO• Francesco Romeoromeocerabino@tin.it

TOSCANA UMBRIA• Mario Marianimmariani@med.unipi.it

EMILIA ROMAGNA, MARCHE• Fernando M. Picchiofpicchio@med.unibo.it

LIGURIA• Giovanni Gneccogiovanni.gnecco@unige.it

SARDEGNA• Luigi Meloniluigimeloni@pacs.unica.it

SICILIA• Salvatore Novonovosav@unipa.it

TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE, FRIULI, VENETO• Gian Franco Sinagragianfranco.sinagra@aots.sanita.fvg.it

PUGLIA, BASILICATA• Marco M. Cicconeciccone@cardio.uniba.it

CALABRIA• Ciro Indolfiindolfi@unicz.it

CAMPANIA• Sandro Betocchisandro.betocchi@unina.it

ABRUZZO, MOLISE• Sabina Gallinasegrcard@unich.it

ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 54 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008

AtherosclerosisALBERICO L. CATAPANO Cardiac SurgeryCLAUDIO MUNERETTOCardiology in the elderlyANTONIO FERRARICardiomyopathies and Pericardial DiseaseGAETANO THIENE Cardiovascular PathologyANNALISA ANGELINICardiovascular PharmacologyCLAUDIO CECONICellular Biology and the HeartISABELLA TRITTO

Working Groups

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INTRODUCTION TO WORKING GROUPSThe Italian Society of Cardiology has generated 27working groups. The functions of a working group are:

1. to proromote and organize research in specific areas,

2. to favour information exchange,

3. to contribute to the organization of both the annualSIC congress and other meetings and symposia.

Each working group has a chairman, a nucleus andmembers selected for their competence in the field. TheSIC website (www.sicardiologia.it) providesinformation on each group.All working groups submit an annual scientific reportto the SIC board for approval. Working groups can be contacted through the ScientificSecretariat (laura.stasi@sicardiologia.it)

Marco M. CicconeChairman of working groups

Working Groups Working Groups Working Groups

[Keep love in your heart.A loveless life looks like agloomy garden whoseflowers are barren. Theawareness of giving andreceiving love contributessuch a warmth andwealth to life as nothingelse can do.

Oscar Wilde ]

Regional Chaptersof the SIC

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ArrhythmiasSYMPOSIAAtrial fibrillation in acute coronary syndromeSudden death in various pathological contexts: recognizingsubjects at risk, selecting prevention strategiesElectrical treatment of heart failure: any doubt?Radiofrequency ablation of cardiac arrhythmias: state of the art

MEET THE EXPERTSNon pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillationECG: from old and recent interpretation problems to heartdisease treatment

ITALIAN SPEAKER LECTUREWide QRS tachycardias

CardiomyopathiesSYMPOSIA“Secondary” cardiomyopathies: from diagnosis to treatmentClinical or molecular classification of cardiomyopathies?Peculiar aspects of cardiomyopathies

FOREIGN SPEAKER LECTURENon-invasive risk stratification in hypertrophiccardiomyopathy

Cardiovascular ImagingSYMPOSIAMyth and reality of echocardiographyThe inducible ischemia. Which is the imaging test of choice?Integrated imaging of coronary artery disease: differencesand synergiesWhat is needed to start a clinical cardiac magnetic resonanceimaging activity?

MEET THE EXPERTSThe ultrasonic coronary flow reserve: up-to-date andperspectiveImaging in cardiology: between established concepts andemerging news

Congenital Heart Disease, PulmonaryCirculation, Heart Valve DiseaseSYMPOSIAPsyche and the heartCurrent problems on aortic valve stenosisPregnancy and heart diseaseAcute pulmonary thromboembolism

CONGRESS SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEERaffaele Bugiardini Chairman

Giuseppe Ambrosio

Luigi Padeletti

Pasquale Perrone Filardi

Giuseppe Specchia

Corrado Tamburino

CONGRESS SCIENTIFIC-TECHNICAL COMMITTEEAntonio Bartorelli

Cristina Basso

Luciano Daliento

Raffaele De Caterina

Fiorenzo Gaita

Giuseppe Germanò

Eugenio Martuscelli

Marco Metra

Giuseppe Novelli

Salvatore Novo

Maria Penco

Susanna Sciomer

Gian Franco Sinagra

Paolo Voci

Coronary Artery Disease and RehabilitationSYMPOSIAoronary angio-tc for diagnosis and clinical management ofCAD patientsNew invasive coronary imaging techniques: which choice?Strategies for STEMI treatmentMechanisms and mysteries of coronary artery disease inwomen“Resistance” to antiplatelet drugs and acute coronarysyndromeAcute patient management in CCU: emergent problemsNew scenarios in antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatmentCoronary syndromes: from research data to clinicalapplicationCardiovascular rehabilitationCardiovascular medicine and genderMyocardial ischemia beyond coronary atherosclerotic plaque

MEET THE EXPERTSCoronary artery disease

ITALIAN SPEAKERS LECTURESMagnetic resonance imaging in acute myocardial infarction:from pathophysiology to bedsideVascular inflammation in acute coronary syndrome and inautoimmune disease: a common substrate?How to manage acute myocardial infarction in the absence ofpharmacological or mechanical reperfusion?

FOREIGN SPEAKERS LECTURESOccluded artery trial (oat) and beyondHormones and heart disease: what do we know in 2008?In search of vulnerable plaque. Can it be localized, and willfocal therapy ever be an option?New thoughts about anti-anginal and anti-ischemic therapyPre-hospital fibrinolysis versus primary PCI in STEMI

Education, Research, TelecardiologySYMPOSIAOut-of-hospital electrical defibrillation“Emergent” and “urgent” medicine: is job descriptionnecessary?Medical information and mass media: a difficult balancebetween audience and scientific exactnessTelecardiology: instruction for use

ITALIAN SPEAKERS LECTURESEvidence based medicine or educational based medicineThe “cultural” revolution of cardiology in the last halfcentury

FOREIGN SPEAKER LECTUREUsing telemedicine for heart disease management

Presentation

ANNUALCONGRESSOF THE ITALIAN SOCIETYOF CARDIOLOGY

Hotel Cavalieri Hiltonand Villa MianiRome, December 13/16 - 2008T he 69th National Congress of the Italian

Society of Cardiology (SIC) represents the most important scientific and educational event of Cardiology

Science in Italy. The meeting will be addressed to cardiologists,general physicians and other specialists. The specific aim of themeeting is to provide a forum where the basic and clinical sciencesexchange their ideas with each other in order to carry on arelevant and timely translational research. In this meeting, theprogress on the new devices and technologies, as well as the neweducational methods, will be reviewed. Broad-based clinical andlaboratory research presentations will guide researchers to themain clinical questions and will guide clinicians to set bestpractice standards for data collection and clinical care. Specialattention will be paid to the involvement of young investigators,trainees, and scientists and clinicians from underrepresentedcommunities. Most of you practice cardiology, and many of you doresearch or teach. Regardless, this is your Society of Cardiology.For more than half a century, the Italian Society of Cardiology hasjointed academic and practitioner cardiologists with cardiacsurgeons in sharing the commitment of helping cardiac patients.The founders of the Italian Society of Cardiology believed thatcontinuing education was an indispensable ingredient of high-quality care. They knew that if you want to provide the very bestcare, there is much to know and always more to learn. That’s stilltrue today, and it will always be true.This year, however, we will not talk about the science of medicine,but we will underline another vital aspect of our professional lives:the art of medicine. For years, the art of medicine has focused onthe precious and unique interaction between a patient and his orher physician. It reflects the value of caring, compassion, andcommunication. Although the art of medicine may not be asnewsworthy as scientific breakthroughs or as exciting as bold newprocedures, it is equally relevant.Finally, we would like to look forward. Some individuals, includingsome doctors, are pessimistic about the future of medicine in Italy .But they are wrong! The future of cardiology is especiallypromising for our new young doctors and for our patients. Italy’sresearch has been re-energized, and our academic medical centersare producing a new generation of bright men and women willingto deliver high-quality care as cardiovascular specialists.We wish to thank the FINSIC president Professor Francesco Romeo,all the experts of the Congress Committee and Technical-ScientificCommittee that have contributed to plan the meeting.

Francesco Fedele Raffaele BugiardiniSIC President Congress Chairman

[A heart is a non-marketablewealth: it canonly be donated

Gustave Flaubert

]

8 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 9

Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Prevention,PharmacologySYMPOSIAPrevention of coronary events recurrenceHigh risk patient management: a comparison amongguidelinesPhysical exercise and cardiovascular riskCardiovascular involvement in patients affected by collagendiseaseThe future of cardiometabolic riskCardiovascular toxic and malnutrition disease

FOREIGN SPEAKERS LECTURESSerum amyloid: a new link between inflammation andthrombosis in coronary artery diseaseExercise and heart disease: why physical activity is essential?Coronary atherothrombotic disease: progress in antiplatelettherapy

Genetics and Molecular BiologySYMPOSIAFrom genomics to pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseaseGenetic polymorphism and cardiovascular diseaseTreatment of heart failure: are human stem cells effectors ormediators ?Prognosis of diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome:beyond coronary disease

FOREIGN SPEAKERS LECTURESCell-based therapy of myocardial infarctionWhy do patients die prematurely from coronary arterydisease? Latest genetic insights

Heart FailureSYMPOSIAHeart-lung interaction: clinical problemsHow to improve the prognosis of patients with heart failure?Role of co-morbidities in heart failure patientsDrug treatment of heart failure: insights into the futureDiastolic dysfunction in heart failureAsymptomatic left ventricular dysfunctionAnticancer drugs and the heart

MEET THE EXPERTSHeart failure

ITALIAN SPEAKERS LECTURESMolecular mechanisms of cardiac remodelling

HypertensionSYMPOSIAArterial (dis)functionTreatment of high cardiovascular risk patient: what have welearned from the most recent trials?Hypertension and target organ damageNew clinical aspects in some forms of resistant hypertension

Interventional cardiologySYMPOSIAControversies in coronary interventional cardiologyDrug eluting stents: are clinical indications still debated?PTCA in acute myocardial infarction: looking for the bestresultsStents: unconsidered aspectsCurrent problems in interventional cardiologyRisk of coronary stent thrombosis and antiplatelet treatmentEndothelial cells precursors (ECP)Interventional cardiology: a suffering giant?Primary prevention of coronary artery diseasePTCA or surgery?

MEET THE EXPERTSAortic stenosis: diagnostic and therapeutic itemCurrent problems in coronary interventional cardiology

FOREIGN SPEAKERS LECTURESDrug-eluting stent and coronary thrombosis: biologicalmechanisms and clinical implications

Peripheral Vessel Disease and StrokeSYMPOSIAThe evaluation of preclinical atherosclerosisThe patient with both coronary artery disease and lower limbartery disease: diagnostic and therapeutic strategiesThe aneurysms of thoracic aortaInterventional hemodynamic phlebology

Since 2002, a fellowship named “Scholar inCardiology” is granted to members of the Society,

younger than 50, who have given outstandingcontributions in clinical and/or basic cardiovascularresearch. Only scientific merits, value and originality ofpublications are considered. The aim is to selectexcellent people, still in the ascending curve of theirscientific and academic career, highlighting the ItalianCardiology in the international scenario. PhD Diplomais considered of particular value and an overall impactfactor of 150 is the threshold. Nominations, no morethan five per year, are announced during a specialceremony at the Annual Congress of the Society. ACommittee of the Board of the Society is appointed toevaluate the applications.

The following Scholars have been nominated so far:YEAR 2002:Cristina Basso University of Padua,Alfredo Ruggero Galassi - University of Catania, Nazzareno Galiè - University of Bologna, Silvia G. Priori - University of Pavia

YEAR 2003:Giuseppe Boriani - University of Bologna, Alida Linda P. Caforio - University of Padua, Paolo Golino - University of Naples, Marco Metra - University of Brescia

YEAR 2004:Piergiuseppe Agostoni - University of Milan,Cristina Chimenti - “Sapienza” University of Rome, Paolo Voci - “Sapienza” University of Rome, Raffaele De Caterina - University of Chieti, Pasquale Perrone Filardi - “Federico II” University of Naples

YEAR 2005:Gaetano Lanza - Cattolic University of Rome “Sacro Cuore”,Giuseppe Rosano - Buxton University of London, Speranza Rubattu - “Sapienza” University of Rome

YEAR 2006:Felicita Andreotti -Catholic University “SacroCuore”of Rome,Giovanni Esposito -“Federico II” University of Naples, Eduardo Bossone -Institute of Clinical Physiology ”CNR”of Lecce

YEAR 2007:Plinio Cirillo -“Federico II” University of Naples, Massimo Piepoli - Cardiac Center of Piacenza Hospital“Guglielmo da Saliceto”

Highlight 2008: Cardiovascular Disease in the ElderlySYMPOSIAHeart failure in the elderly: an emerging pandemiaDrug treatment in the elderlyInterventional cardiology in the elderly

Highlight 2008: Sudden Death During Sport ActivitySYMPOSIAPrevention of sudden death during sport activitySport and cardiovascular riskTopics shared by cardiologists and neurologistsSIC prevention foundation

[Winter is on myhead, but eternalspring is inmy heart

Victor Hugo

]

SCHOLAR IN CARDIOLOGY:

ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 1110 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008

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COURSE ON TELECARDIOLOGYJune 30th 2008

Telecardiology is anemergent topic. The equipment fortransmission indigital format of

either the electrocardiographic signal or imagesobtained from invasive and non invasive diagnostictools, have reached optimal quality standards.Nevertheless, the use of informatics is still todayextremely limited. This course, held at SIC headquarters in Rome, wasaimed to facilitating the correct use of newtechnologies making possible online transmission ofclinical and imaging data.

FELLOWSHIP IN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY FOR DOCTORS SPECIALIZING IN CARDIOLOGYSeptember 16th, October 14th, November 18th 2008

In modern Cardiology, particularly in the field ofinterventional Cardiology and Arrhythmias, theeducation provided by Specialization Schools shouldbe completed, especially in translating into clinicalpractice the guidelines concerning interventionalelectrophysiology and cardiac pacing. The Fellowship in Electrophysiology is aimed to theabove purpose, and is addressed to doctors attendingthe last 2 years of Cardiology school.

HEARTMURMURS AND SOUNDS The EducationalCommittee of the

Italian Society of Cardiology wishes to point out that thestethoscope is still alive even in an era of advancedtechnology. We are planning to organize an e-learningprogram entitled “Heart murmurs and sounds” toreinforce the concept that auscultation of the heart is anirreplaceable clinical tool.

ECG DIAGNOSIS OF TACHYCARDIASA further educational project concerns a series of e-learning Courses for cardiologists available at the website www.sicardiologia.it ;the first of these interactiveCourses, dedicated to the ECG diagnosis oftachycardias, is online, and is based on the study of 5612-lead Electrocardiograms showing tachycardias,divided in 2 groups: 1) narrow QRS complex tachycardias; 2) wide QRS complex tachycardias. The reader is firstly requested to provide a diagnosis fora series of 14 tracings, and is then enabled to read adetailed explanation of all cases. Thereafter, a further group of 14 tracings based on thesame topic in presented, and again the diagnosis issolicited, and so on.

THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL COURSES ONHEMODINAMIC PHLEBOLOGY”May 20th, June 10th and 24th 2008The course has been performed at SIC headquarters inRome by videoconference with the Regional Divisions.Theoretical lessons and practical exercises with theassistance of Doppler and echocolor-Dopplerequipment were aimed at making participants to:

• Perform an instrumental examinationof phlebopathic patients.

• Identify the most important vein diseases.

• Create a hemodinamic venous map to select thecorrect therapeutic strategy in a computerizedsystem.

REGIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGSThe Italian Society of Cardiology usually organizeslocal meetings through the Regional Sections, incooperation with other Societies and Study Groups. In these meetings, several topics on CardiovascularDisease are discussed. Data and registration form areavailable on the website www.sicardiologia.it.

TEXTBOOK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASEThe Board of the Italian Society of Cardiology is proudin presenting the new “Manuale di MalattieCardiovascolari” (Textbook of Cardiovascular Disease)that is online at the web site www.sicardiologia.itThis e-book is free for Doctors and for medical students,and is made of 68 chapters, 3 atlases and more than 500figures. The book has been written by almost all ItalianProfessors of Cardiology, and is approached byhundredths of students every day; it is specifically aimedat facilitating learning Cardiovascular Medicine. Wehave defined this e-book as an endless “work inprogress” since it is continuously updated as far as newconcepts arise, or the Authors decide to modify thetext and/or the illustrations. This task is also facilitated by the readers, which aresolicited to express their opinion on any chapter they aregoing through. The Educational Committee of the Italian Society ofCardiology has made an effort in making the style of thevarious chapters as homogeneous as possible, so thatthe reader has the impression that the whole book hasbeen written by a single Author. The Italian Society of Cardiology wishes that otherMedical Societies join the project of providing a free e-book specifically dedicated to medical students.

ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 1312 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008

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RSII LEVEL MASTER IN INFORMATION ANDCOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN CARDIOLOGY“Sapienza” University of Rome• Aim of the master is to fill the gap between the new

technologies and their clinical and diagnostic applications..• Topics of the Master: Anatomy, Physiology, Cardiovascular

Physics, Informatics, Statistics, Sociology, communication andinformation technology, new imaging techniques, simulationtechniques.

• Admission requirement: Degree in Medicine, or Physics,Engineering, Informatics.

• The Master will last 1 year and will start on March 2009.• Fee: 4.500,00 euro• Application deadline: december 2008• Information on www.uniroma1.it or contact Prof. F. Fedele

francesco.fedele@uniroma1.it

II LEVEL MASTER IN INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY“Tor Vergata” University of Rome• Aim of the master training in interventional Cardiology, a

modern approach to treat cardiac disease, requiringpostspecialist expertise

• Topics: this II Level master introduces to all the aspects ofCoronary, Valvular and Electrical percutaneous interventionaltherapies, with adequate training. Other techniques (Echo,Multislice CAT scanning, MR Imaging) as well as MolecularBiology will be covered. The program is structured in two 6-month sessions, being the first one focused on:

- Coronary Interventions: Materials, Methods, Results, Clinical trials;- Valvular interventions: Mitral, Aortic, Pulmonic Valvuloplasty and

Replacement: Methods, Results, Clinical trials;- Closing Devices: Atrial Septal Defect/PFO, VSD, PDA: Methods,

Results, Clinical trials;The second session is focused on:- Percutaneos Interventions for arrhythmias and Pacing: Materials,

Methods, Results and Clinical trials.• Admission requirement: the master is addressed to Specialists in

Cardiology, and will vary from 4 to 6 with some extra placesreserved to people already working in the Healthcare system.

• Duration: the master will last 1 year. The program includes 1650activity hours, formal lessons, seminars, practical activities, andit will confer 66 credits.

• Starting: the master will start on November 2008.• Registration fee: 3.000,00 euro.• Application deadline: September 2008. The master will not be

activated if the minimum number of participant is not attained.• Information: Secretariat of the Division of Cardiology, Chair of

the Division, Tel. 06/20904009

II LEVEL MASTER IN VASCULAR DISEASE University of Palermo• Aim of the master is to create highly qualified expertise in the

field of vascular disease, provided that no post-graduate Schoolwith European qualification is nowadays available in Italy onthis topic.

• Topics: a) arterial disease of atherosclerotic origin, vasculitis,venous and lymphatic disease; b) diagnostic tools: ABI,ecocolorDoppler duplex scanning, laserdoppler, capillaroscopy,strain gauge plethysmography, MNR, CT scan, arteriography andphlebography; c) treatment of vascular disease.

• Admission requirement is graduation in medicine. Doctorsworking in the field of Cardiology or in internal medicine,geriatrics, vascular surgery, neurology are encouraged to jointhe master.

• Duration: the master lasts 2 year. The program includes 1500hours of activity for year and will confer 120 credits.

• Starting: the master will start on June 1st, 2008• Registration fee: 2.000,00 euro for each year.• Application deadline: May 31st, 2008. The master will not be

activated if the minimum number of participants is not attained.• Information: secretariat of the Department of Internal Medicine,

Cardiovascular and Nephrourological Diseases, Chair ofCardiovascular Disease, Tel. & Fax 091-655.43.01 091-655.444.43 Website: www.unipa.it, e-mail: novosav@unipa.it

II LEVEL MASTER IN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY University of Palermo• Aim of the master is to provide a specific skill in performing and

interpreting the echocardiogram, based on the most recentscientific and technological advance.

• Topics of the Master: indications to the echocardiographicexamination, how to correctly perform a standardechocardiographic study according to european guidelines, howto interpret and report the echocardiogram, how to performtransesophageal and stress echocardiography.

• Admission requirement: is graduation in Medicine. Doctorsworking in the field of Cardiology or in internal medicine,geriatrics, Sport medicine, and Emergency Care are encouragedto join the master.

• Duration: the Master lasts 1 year. The program include 1500hours of activity: 300 hours of lectures and workshops, 400hours of practical activity and 800 hours of self learning. It willconfer 60 credits.

• Starting: the Master will start on June 1st, 2008• Registration fee: 2.000,00 euro• Application deadline: May 31st, 2008. The master will not

activated if the minimum number of five participants is notattained.

MASTER IN CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGYUniversity of Padua• Aim of the Master is to increase the knowledge in the field of

anatomy and pathology of cardiovascular disease, fromcongenital to acquired conditions and from pathophysiology tobasic sciences. In particular, it allows a trainee to learn themost important diagnostic methods in cardiovascular pathology(autopsy protocol and techniques, gross examination of heartspecimens, histology, immunohistochemistry, confocalmicroscopy, histomorphometry, study of the conduction system,transmission and scanning electron microscopy, molecularpathology). Thanks to the close relationship betweenpathologists and clinicians, the teaching approach of this Masterhighlights anatomo-clinical correlations, leading to a correctinterpretation of surgical pathology and autopsy findings.

• Topics of the master are: pathomorphology and molecularpathology, clinical pathology, surgical pathology.

• Admission requirement are: graduation in medicine or inveterinary medicine Post-graduation in pathological anatomy orcardiology or forensic medicine or cardiac surgery areconsidered as priors.

• The Master will start on January 2009 and will last until December 2009.

• Application deadline is end of July 2008.• The total fee will is Euro 2.076,88• Website: www.unipd.it/master/index.htm.• For more information, please contact

Prof. Cristina Basso (cristina.basso@unipd.it)

SIC MASTERS

II LEVEL MASTER IN SPORT CARDIOLOGYUniversity of L’Aquila• Aim of the Master is providing a deep qualification in this field,

both for Cardiologists and Sport Physicians.• Topics of the Master are cardiovascular adaptation to exercise in

normal subjects, in athletes, and in extreme conditions; eligibilityto sport activity and cardiovascular disease: cardiac arrhythmias,heart valve disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease,congenital heart disease, heart failure; clinical emergenciesduring sport activities.

• Admission requirement is to be Specialist in Sport Medicine or Cardiology.

• The Master will last 1 year and will start on January 2009.• Application deadline is September 2008• Information on www.univaq.it

I LEVEL MASTER ON NURSING IN CARDIAC CRITICAL AREA University of L’Aquila• Aim of the Master is providing specific abilities concerning the

Cardiac Critical Area, i.e. Coronary Care Unit, Post-CardiacSurgery Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac catheterization laboratories.

• Topics of the Master are Scientific evidence and nursing researchin cardiac critical area; Clinical Nursing in Intensive Cardiac CareUnit; Cardiovascular diagnostic tools; Cardiac nursing in out-of-hospital setting.

• Admission requirement is three year Nursing Degree or an equivalent qualification.

• The Master will last 1 year and will start on January 2009.• Application deadline is September 2008• Information on www.univaq.it

II LEVEL MASTER ON PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGYUniversity of Bologna • Aim of the master: professional training in pediatric cardiology;

how to define a treatment plan for heart disease in children andadolescents.

• Topics of the master: cardiovascular pathophysiology,cardiovascular instrumental features, neonatology, clinicalpediatrics, cardiovascular medical therapy, cardiac surgery,cardiovascular pathology, cardiovascular imaging.

• Admission requirement: MD degree and specialization inCardiology or Pediatrics.

• The master will last 1year and will start on February 16th2009.

• Fee: 2.000,00 euro• Application deadline: December 31, 2008

[If you want to behappy, listen to yourheart as it enclosesall the answers youare looking for.

Sergio Bambarén

]

14 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008 15

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The WEBSITE does indeed represent a short-cut to theintellectual resources that merge in SIC. It assures adirect link with the activities and the scientificproduction of the various working groups and theneonate “Centro Studi SIC”. It also allows graduates toapply for grants offered by SIC in order to improvescientific and clinical skills. Furthermore, it provides thecardiological community with a link to the Scholar,Condorelli and Harvey Awards meant to acknowledgedeserving mature or senior members for theirremarkable medical and scientific career. The websiteis the obvious link for on-line approach to editorialactivity supported by SIC: journals, publications andtextbooks for medical students. The Website is also theplace for permanent consultation of scientificstatements from the annual congress and for abstractsubmission to the incoming congress.Finally, the contents in term of art, literature andhumanities are not to be forgotten. They make the SICWEBSITE as rich as the Society it represents.

Paolo MarinoChairman of web site committee

SIC et SimpliciterDirect line with associates - SIC pressNobody wants to forget the glorious “SIC etSimpliciter”; anyway some innovation in SIC newspaperwas considered necessary. Aim of the new paper hasbeen to start an interactive dialogue between SIC and“rest of the world”, including not only the scientificworld, but a larger context. It’s time to recognize newinterlocutors among national and internationalcommunities, as the Italian population, theGovernment, the Medical Institutions, the Media.Spreading out our ideas and comparing them with theothers could achieve great results.

WEB SITE www.sicardiologia.itA constantly updated WEB site focused on the needs ofacademic and practising cardiologists is a must for aScientific Society such as SIC. This is required to faceboth the challenge of rapidly evolving medical researchand the ongoing needs inherent to the practice andteaching of Cardiology.

with poor outcomes likely to benefit from therapy, aswell as providing initial estimates of the therapyefficacy.

The Italian Society of Cardiology have produced aCenter logo (CS-SIC) for the Study of arrhythmias,heart failure, and ischemic heart disease

Preliminary data of the CS-SIC will be presented at theESC Annual meeting 2008. The CS-SIC have evaluatedthe pharmaceutical prescriptions at 1 year follow-up of4073 consecutive survivors from AMI discharged from 5Italian hospitals between January 1st 2005 andDecember 31st, 2006. Use of lifesaving therapies forpatients who survived AMI in Italy has been found muchlower than expected in Europe, particularly in elderlypatients and women. The CS-SIC warns that in Italythere is urgent need for development of procedures thatwould ensure adherence to a level of appropriatemedical therapy for all survivors from AMI.

The Italian Society of Cardiology is proud to announcethat they will provide new tools to enhance professionaldevelopment and multidisciplinary training at a localcommunity hospital. A Joint Commission (SIC/ HealthCare Government Department) Accreditation willoperate as an independent, not-for-profit organization.Standards will be focused on patient assessment andcare, patients’ rights, clinical ethics, organizationalleadership, human resources management, andinformation management.

SIC SCIENTIFIC CENTER:Although there is little doubt that observationaldatabases can characterize trends in management andpatient outcome as well as identify prognostic factors, itremains controversial whether they can be used toevaluate therapy. Our view is that observational databases should play an important role in therapyevaluation. By design, a data base is relativelynonselective, so that the entire spectrum of patients withdisease is represented. Many patients included in aclinical data base would not be included in arandomized trial. In the Coronary Artery Surgery Study,for instance, only 13% of patients met all eligibilitycriteria for randomization, and only 4.2% of patients inthe Duke Cardiovascular Disease Databank met thesesame eligibility criteria. The broad spectrum of patients in a clinical data basepermits analysis of subgroups excluded from, or poorlyrepresented in, randomized studies. A number ofobservational studies published from registries haveconsiderably enhanced the value of the overallinvestigation, including the evaluation of coronarybypass surgery efficacy in the elderly, in patients withpoor left ventricular function and in those with acutecoronary syndrome.

An observational database is also helpful in providingcorroborative evidence when randomized trial data arerelatively sparse. In addition, observational databasescan provide key contextual data for identifying patients

PUBB

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VIII SIC MonographFor eight years SIC haspublished a monographthat is distributed freeduring the AnnualCongress.The monograph of thelast year was entitled“Cardiovascular diseasein women” (see thecover), edited by Prof.Giuseppe Mercuro. Themonograph “Preclinicalatherosclerosis and

global cardiovascular risk”, by Prof. Salvatore Novo isin progress, and will be given during the next SICNational Congress. Moreover a new book entitled“Opportunity to act and motivation of being - Medicineand University in a changing society”, edited by Prof.Odoardo Visioli, will be available.

16 ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY I 2008

ITALIA

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FOUNDATIONHEART ANDCIRCULATION-Onlus

Presentation

AFRICA PROJECT

The “Italian Society of Cardiology”and “ACAYA Formation andHealth” Society have organized a cardiovascular risk assessmentcampaign for women aged between40 and 60 ; a lot of IPER COOPcenters in the whole country havebecome the gathering site forthousands of women to undergo afree cardiovascular screeningconsisting in a medicalexamination and a series ofdiagnostic investigations aimedto cardiovascular assessment andrisk profile evaluation. Thecampaign started in September,2007 and it is going on in 2008.

MISSIONThe main Foundation commitment is to promote cardiovascularresearch through fund raising meant to:• Awarding research projects of young researchers;• Awarding fellowship of young cardiologists for periods of training

in Italy or in Europe;• Implementing educational campaigns on primary cardiovascular

prevention promoting life style changes, mediterranean diet as wellas smoking cessation. This will be achieved also through interactionwith the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Instruction to promoteeducational programs in Schools;

• Promoting educational campaigns focused on the right amount ofdrugs to be administered to cardiac patients in order to achievesecondary disease prevention. This target will be more easily gotby implementing guidelines diffusion;

• Favouring sudden death prevention programs by increasing thenumber of BLS-D executors also in secondary Schools, incooperation with the Ministry of Instruction;

• Participating in the organization of the World Day for the Heartpromoted yearly by the World Heart Federation;

• Elaborating multicenter national or international studies;• Promoting national registers on cardiovascular disease.

DONATION TO THE FOUNDATIONInstructions for economic support to the foundation can be found on theinstitutional site www.sicardiologia.it.

ACTIVITIES IN 2007/2008

AWARDSAward of 20.000,00 Euro to Dr. Diego Colonna (Naples) for a projectaimed at creating of the first Italian Register on “Congenital Heart Diseasein Adults”;Award of 12.500,00 Euro to Dr. Francesco Borgia (Naples) to develop aresearch on “Power of foetal stem cells on myocardial regeneration”.

• EDUCATIONAL PROJECT FOR PREVENTION IN THE SCHOOLA convention has been signed with the Ministry of Instruction aimed at: 1)diffusing the culture and practice of cardiovascular disease PrimaryPrevention in schools, and 2) creating a group of instructors for thediffusion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill (BLS-D). This target is likelyto be achieved through cooperation with the Regional Officer of theMinistry of Instruction and the Regional Sections of the Italian Society ofCardiology.

• EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS FOR CARDIOLOGISTS AND GENERALPRACTITIONERS

1.National Educational Campaign on the “Importance of maintaining thetherapeutic target in the secondary prevention of ischemic heartdisease”.

2. National Educational Campaign on Secondary Prevention of IschemicHeart Disease named “Heart: between reason and emotion”, aimed atstressing not only the importance of drug therapy but also the role ofdiet and life style to maintain welfare.

3. National Educational Campaign named “From symptoms to treatment:a correct approach to the patients with heart disease”.

• PARTICIPATION IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE “HEART WORLD DAY”,IN COOPERATION WITH THE ITALIAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY

This is accomplished with 3 different items:1. The University Cardiology Departments are open to the population for

a charge-free cardiovascular examination. 2. Elderly people are examined free of charge by cardiologists at home. 3.State Men (Policemen, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza), undergo free

clinical cardiovascular examination.During the above examinations, further information on cardiovascularprevention, risk factors, diet, life style, physical activity, and how toperform a cardiopulmonary resuscitation while waiting for ambulancewere provided by a DVD projection.

• COURSE ON CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION - BLS-DIn cooperation with the chair of Cardiovascular Disease, University ofPalermo, and the Palermo Rotary Club, that donated 3 automaticdefibrillators, a Course was organized aimed at teaching people nonprofessionally involved in Medicine to perform BLS-D.

An agreement between the Italian Society ofCardiology and the “Support and prevention Fund”of Carabinieri Arma has led to a prevention ofcardiovascular disease campaign, Cardiologistsbelonging to the Italian Society of Cardiology, havecarried on a free screening aimed at earlycardiovascular risk identification in this particulargroup of people frequently exposed to stress.

HEART WOMAN PROJECT

CARABINIERI PROJECT

Since a few years the ItalianSociety of Cardiology sponsors

a 4-month stay for Italianfellows in cardiology in two

developing countries, Mozambique andUganda. The program is held at the CardiologyDepartment of the Eduardo Mondlane University ofMaputo in Mozambique and at St Mary’s Lacor Hospitalin Gulu Uganda, which is one of the sites where GuluUniversity Medical School is located.The Italian Society of Cardiology provides air tickets andpersonal insurance; lodging and meals are offered freeof charge (Gulu) or at low cost (Maputo) by the localhospitals. This is a great 4-month experience forcardiology fellows who are involved in tropicalcardiovascular disease and developing countriescardiovascular medicine. Both locations havereasonably good cardiological facilities with all non-invasive laboratories. Fellows are supervised by localand international medical staff. Up to now 11 fellowshave been in Gulu (Uganda) e 6 in Maputo. All of themreported an enthusiastic experience both in human andprofessional terms. In Gulu the local new Medical Facultyis at its fourth year so that Italian fellows can share theirexperience with local students. In conclusion, the Italian

Society of Cardiology offers young cardiologyfellows this unique experience to be shared, when backhome, with the rest of the medical community.

For information contact Piergiuseppe Agostonipiergiuseppe.agostoni@ccfm.it

T he Italian Foundation heart andcirculation is a non-profit organization,

promoted by the Italian Society of Cardiology in order to increase awareness and to improveprevention of cardiovascular disease.In order to support research and education, the Foundation collects funds to be invested inpromotion and diffusion of cardiovascular disease awareness.The Foundation Administrative Committee is chaired by Professor Salvatore Novo andincludes Professors Mario Marzilli, FrancescoArrigo, Roberto Ferrari, Maria Penco. The Scientific Council is chaired by ProfessorSabino Iliceto and includes Professors RaffaeleCalabrò, Filippo Crea, Germano Di Sciascio,Francesco Romeo and Gaetano Thiene.

Salvatore NovoPresidentof Italian Foundation Heart and Circulation-Onlus

SIC - SOCIETÀ ITALIANA DI CARDIOLOGIA