Sophia Antipolis, France, 2 June 2006:
One of the most important objectives for the development of electrophysiology in Europe, is to build a cohesive and integrated community of clinicians and researchers in the filed of cardiac arrhythmias. In order to achieve this goal, it is important that the electrophysiology community avoids fragmentation and collaborates to create a common vision and objective.
The goal of the European Society of Cardiology’s European Heart Rhythm Association is to be the institution for the European electrophysiologist by creating initiatives that will promote the profession at various levels including training and accreditation, research from bench to bedside, meetings for scientific exchange and integration with stakeholders of the profession (allied professionals, industry and patients’ groups). In order to achieve these goals, the EHRA is actively building partnerships with major contributors in the field of arrhythmias and electrophysiology across Europe.
In the recent months, a major innovative step has been made and an agreement signed between Cardiostim and the EHRA. The common goal shared by the two organizations is that of joining forces to organize an annual European meeting of the highest scientific and educational profile.
The principle of alternation of Cardiostim and Europace will be maintained and Cardiostim will continue to take place on even years and Europace on odd years. However they will be characterized by a solid collaboration in the preparation of congress scientific programs. As a consequence of this agreement, Cardiostim will further strengthen its scientific profile while Europace will improve hands-on educational programs.With this backdrop, electrophysiologists worldwide will mark on their calendar that the European electrophysiology meeting takes place every year in June.
In line with this partnership, Cardiostim this year hosts the EHRA General Assembly and meetings of the Committees of EHRA for Accreditation, Education, Scientific Initiatives, Web and Communications and International Affairs. In addition, eight scientific sessions have been organized by the EHRA Board for this year, and thirty Europace sessions are planned for 2008, marking the 30th anniversary of Cardiostim.
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
The ESC represents more than 45,000 cardiology professionals across Europe and the Mediterranean. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of the European population by reducing the impact of cardiovascular disease.
The ESC achieves this through a variety of scientific and educational activities including the coordination of: clinical practice guidelines, education courses and initiatives, pan-European surveys on specific disease areas and the ESC Annual Congress, the largest medical meeting in Europe. Furthermore, the ESC promotes cardiovascular disease prevention messages to the general public, most notably during its annual ‘For Your Heart’s Sake’ event, a fun yet educational event offering risk assessment and prevention advice, held in parallel to the Congress each year.
The ESC comprises 2 Councils, 4 Associations, 23 Working Groups and 49 National Cardiac Societies. Both the ESC Congress and ‘For Your Heart’s Sake’ take place in late August/early September each year in a European ‘Heart-Healthy City’. The ESC Congress 2006, to be held from 2-6 September in Barcelona, Spain, will be a joint meeting with the World Heart Federation's XVth World Congress of Cardiology.
The ESC administrative headquarters are based at the European Heart House, Sophia Antipolis, France.
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)
EHRA is an association specialising in electrophysiology and was created from the merger of two former Working Groups on 'Cardiac Pacing' and 'Arrhythmias'.
Its ambition is to serve as the leading organisation in the field of arrhythmias and electrophysiology in Europe, and to attract all physicians from Europe and beyond to foster the development of this area of expertise.
Our mission: To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.