ASOCC: The Cath Lab Digest 4th Annual Symposium on Cardiovascular CareHeld June 2-4, 2005Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada

The votes are in! Another successful conference. The Cath Lab Digest 4th Annual Symposium on Cardiovascular Care (ASOCC) took place June 2-4, 2005 at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada. Under the direction of Chris Nelson, RN, RCIS, FSICP and Amy Ross, RCIS, FSICP, over 225 cath lab professionals enjoyed presentations focusing on interventional cardiology, endovascular technology, new technology and patient care. Physicians, nurses and technologists came together to share information, network, learn, and maybe have some fun in the city of Lost Wages. There was plenty to do and plenty to see for all. Cordis Corporation sponsored the ASOCC pre-conference, where Dr. David Holmes presented Current State-of-the-Art Therapy in Drug-Eluting Stents, followed by Brenda Garrett’s telling presentation, Genomics, the New Frontier. This year’s opening theme, Sex, Drugs and the Rebel Cardiologist, got off to a great start with Dr. Joe Robbins’ presentation, The Birds and the Bees and Heart Disease. Tom Maloney RCIS, FSICP, MHA, presented new insights on the cardio-protective effects of alcohol on heart disease. Dr. Punit Ramrakha presented the rebel’s point of view, speaking on transradial approaches to coronary and endovascular intervention. Day two opened with Chris Nelson RN, RCIS, FSICP, ASOCC Chairperson, presenting the State of the Union and a tribute to those that make it happen every day in his video slideshow, Celebration of Teamwork. Amy Ross RCIS, FSICP then took the stage to introduce the newest addition to the program audience polling devices. After a brief quiz, the participants were set to enjoy the rest of the day’s interactive sessions. Two educational tracks were offered one focusing on coronary heart disease, and the other on peripheral vascular interventions. The faculty did an outstanding job. The coronary team focused on basics such as the pathophysiology of CAD, risk factors, peri-procedural management of pain and anxiety, treatment strategies for ACS and AMI, and how to handle in-lab emergencies. The peripheral vascular group shared exceptional presentations on the history of interventional therapy of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), management of carotid artery stenosis, imaging and interventional management of abdominal aortic aneurisms and renovascular disease, and cutting-edge developments for treating PVD. ASOCC was also fortunate to host returning physician favorites Dr. David Allie, Dr. Paul Mahoney and Dr. James Ferguson, as well as endovascular specialists such as Dr. Leo Butterfield, speaking on carotid stenting and stroke, Dr. Peter Purcell, who presented on abdominal aortic aneurysms, and Dr. Anthony Galeo, who spoke on renovascular disease. Have you ever wondered how a stent is designed and built? Boston Scientific also hosted an evening symposium, A Day in the Life of a Stent, where attendees had a chance to get an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing of a stent. Boston Scientific also brought the SimSuite Bus and offered simulation training for both faculty and participants throughout the symposium. And the comedians… no, not the official comedian, Greg Hahn, who had us all in tears at the end of the day, but our own Michael Guiry RPA, Darren Powell RCIS, FISCP, and Tom Maloney who knew we had budding comedians in the faculty group? Imagine being consumed by a particularly challenging case study. The entire audience is sizing up the situation and preparing to enter their treatment plan when out of nowhere, Darren Powell and Tom Maloney break into dance (the EKG dance, that is…we have the pictures¦better keep your day jobs, guys!). Much fun was had by all, and hats off to those both in front and behind the scenes who had a hand in another successful ASOCC conference.

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