Inflammation in Atherosclerosis: Thirty Years of Exploration in Basic and Clinical Science

Date:

Friday & Saturday, February 23-24, 2007

Meeting Site and Lodging
The Conference Center at Harvard Medical
71 Avenue Louis Pasteur
Boston, MA 02115
866-790-7000

Fairmont Boston Copley Plaza Hotel
138 St. James Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
617-267-5300

Overview
Our knowledge of atherosclerosis has undergone a radical transformation in the past 30 years. Originally considered a bland accretion of lipids accompanied by a proliferation of smooth muscle cells, atherosclerosis is now widely recognized as an arterial disease with an inflammatory nature. The clarification of the role that inflammation plays in atherosclerosis helps us to understand how multiple risk factors, ranging from hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and smoking to aging, initiate and promote the progress of atherosclerotic plaques. Insights gained into the multifactorial etiology of atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disease have led to the development of novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disease. New discoveries of anti-inflammatory medicines enable physicians to target modalities directed at preventing its dreaded consequences-acute vascular syndromes. This symposium aims to link cutting-edge laboratory research with evolving clinical translation. Faculty will emphasize the basic mechanism as well as clinical problems frequently encountered by today's cardiologist.

The intended audience includes physicians with an interest in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis; physicians and scientists engaged in basic and clinical research of atherosclerosis; and professionals of the biotechnology and medical industry.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this symposium, participants will have gained significant knowledge in the following areas -

* Pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the biomarkers of inflammation.
* Role of inflammation in plaque fissuring/rupture and thrombosis in acute coronary syndromes.
* Comparison of various therapeutic approaches in acute coronary syndromes.
* Benefit of anti-inflammatory therapies in combination with newer antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents in acute coronary syndromes.
* Evaluation and management of established and emerging coronary risk factors.
* Appropriate selection of diagnostic tests in evaluation of cardiac patients.
* Role of aggressive lipid-lowering therapy for primary and secondary prevention.