The Inflection Points of a Needed Therapy

The field of assisted circulation has grown dramatically over the past five years, as is demonstrated by the substantial increase in the clinical use of circulatory support devices during this period. This growth is largely due to recent clinical trial and registry results, improved patient selection and care, and technological advances. The 2011 Conference will convene more than 40 experts who will present and discuss key areas of ongoing assisted circulation scientific research which are expected to lead to improved circulatory support devices, their application, and heart failure patient care. Topics to be covered at the 2011 Gordon Conference on Assisted Circulation include the (1) the physiology of assisted circulation, (2) the bases for adverse events and advances in addressing them, (3) the role and application of circulatory support in heart recovery, right heart failure, and pediatric patients, (4) optimization of mechanical circulatory support therapy through device and patient selection, and (5) bioengineering advances, including power sources, to improve circulatory support devices.

With the recent advances in circulatory support devices, the field is now poised to expand beyond their use to rescue advanced heart failure patients to providing functional benefits in less advanced heart failure patients. This conference will address many issues surrounding the use of devices in this less-sick heart failure population, including correctly identifying patients for the therapy.

This Gordon Research Conference offers a unique opportunity for current and future thought leaders in the field of assisted circulation to present and openly discuss cutting-edge research. Substantial time following each presentation will be dedicated to discussion and conference participants will be encouraged to engage in further discussions during the free time and various social activities throughout the week.