Reducing Adverse Events, Improving Circulatory Support Systems and Outcomes

The field of Assisted Circulation has grown dramatically as is demonstrated by the substantial increase in the clinical use of the technology. The 2013 Gordon Research Conference on Assisted Circulation will convene more than 45 investigators who are at the forefront of their field and who will present and discuss key areas of ongoing assisted circulation research. Junior scientist and graduate students will have an opportunity to present their work in poster format and exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Discussions are expected to lead to improvements in circulatory support devices, their application and heart failure care. Topics to be covered at the GRC include (1) the physiology of assisted circulation, (2) the bases for adverse events and advances in addressing them, (3) the roll and application of circulatory support in right heart failure as well as the role in the care of pediatric patients, (4) optimization of mechanical circulatory support therapy through device and patient selection, and (5) bioengineering advances, including cutting edge technology in power transmission and biologic sensor technology which will lead to improved circulatory support devices. This conference will also address the many issues surrounding the use of devices in the less sick heart failure population including identifying patients for the therapy. For the first time in the history of assisted circulation, the GRC will be coupled with the GRS which will immediately precede the GRC. This will be a 2 day event which will require a separate registration.