The influence and importance of valve disease is increasing and yet the subject remains under-represented. There is, for example, no group affiliated to the British Cardiovascular Society and no National Services Framework on valve disease. A number of interested individuals have recently convened to discuss the formation of a specialist group suggesting it could issue comments on topical issues, plan collaborative research and organise study days. The group will bring together all disciplines interested in valve disease and will be concerned with wider issues like variations in care as well as those more immediately related to clinical practice.
Its first study day will be held on 25 October 2010 at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. Topics will include: the epidemiology, health economics, bioengineering, biology and genetics of valve disease; temporal and regional variations in valve surgery; advances in techniques of repair; exercise-testing, the use of neurohormones, and risk-stratification for valve surgery; the case for specialist clinics and for screening. The day will appeal to all interested in valve disease including cardiologists and surgeons, nurses and sonographers, anatomists, bioengineers and geneticists and epidemiologists. The group welcomes registrants (Becky West on [email protected]) and also expressions of interest ([email protected]).
