Dear Colleague,

We are pleased to invite you to our 9th Annual Intensive Review of Cardiology this August 17-21, 2008, at the InterContinental Hotel and Bank of America Conference Center at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.  

This will be a wonderful forum to critically review current thinking and management in all of the major cardiovascular disciplines relevant to those cardiologists and cardiology fellows preparing for the Cardiovascular Board Certification and Re-certification Examination.

We hope that others desiring a comprehensive review of cardiovascular medicine will also join us.  Our aim is that this will be fun, clinically relevant, and stimulating. To achieve this goal, we will integrate audience interaction with review of cases, images, and relevant data during the lectures.

An emphasis will be placed on the clinical evaluation and management of the patient encountered in daily practice. The current ACC/AHA guidelines supporting treatment and management recommendations will be presented as will treatment controversies and dilemmas. Special interactive evening sessions are planned utilizing smaller groups with Board Simulation Questions. We have also added evening “Meet the Expert” sessions.

The symposium will emphasize cardiovascular medicine board simulation testing sessions.  Following the individual presentation, detailed test review sessions will conclude each core subject area.  We believe this will add an essential and exciting new dimension to what is the most comprehensive relevant symposium in cardiovascular medicine today.

After participating in this symposium, participants will be able to:

• Describe the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes, the current management of the acute myocardial infarction patient, and demonstrate familiarity with the major clinical trials which have shaped the current management of this patient subgroup.
  
  
• Discuss the various noninvasive modalities available for the evaluation of coronary artery and valvular heart disease, their merits, complementary roles, role in patient management, and prognostic value.
  
  
• Interpret both common and complex 12-lead electrocardiograms including subtle yet clinically important findings relevant to the Board Examination.
  
  
• Recognize the mechanisms plus the current medical and surgical treatment options in patients with congestive heart failure including the major clinical trials which have shaped our practice methods.
  
  
• Identify the pathophysiology, evaluation, and modalities and treatment options in patients with valvular heart disease including a comprehensive review of echocardiography.
  
  
• Demonstrate familiarity with the evaluation and treatment of patients with complex dysrhythmias and sudden cardiac death including the indications for electrophysiology testing, pacemaker implantation, and ICD placement.
  
  
• Recognize and appropriately treat the clinical scenarios in cardiovascular medicine used in the examinations for Board Certification in Cardiovascular disease.

In addition to these broad symposium goals, many other important topics and cases will be included in areas such as cardiovascular pharmacology, congenital heart disease in the adult and infective endocarditis. The Bank of America Conference Center has exceptional features that enhance learning and comfort. As symposium co-directors, we truly hope you will be able to join us this August for this exciting and memorable educational event.

Sincerely,

Brian Griffin, MD (more info)
Curtis Rimmerman, MD (more info)
Samir Kapadia, MD (more info)