The Turkish Society of Cardiology makes its presence felt with a truly international 24th national congress

As the annual congress of the Turkish Society of Cardiology drew to a close in Istanbul on the 27^th of October, after three days of activities, the Turkish cardiovascular community had reason to celebrate. Indeed, a resounding success, the congress attracted 3,520 participants, amongst whom 165 had travelled from beyond Turkey’s borders to attend. Reaching out to an international audience, 14 Presidents of various cardiovascular societies were present to witness proceedings and 22 foreign speakers, out of a total of 376, were on hand to give presentations and talks. All this helped to continue to make the event one of Turkey’s leading congresses. This was a meeting with international aspirations fuelled by the desire to open Turkish cardiology to the world and draw cardiologists to the country.

The event’s international dimension was very much in keeping Turkey’s welcoming attitude and represented the culmination of the Society’s efforts to broaden their Congress’ geographic reach and standing. Having signed the European Heart Health Charter in December 2007, in what was considered a turning point for CVD prevention in Turkey, the meeting’s organisers sought to bear testament to the Society’s desire to reach out internationally with their counterparts in Europe notably. 

Impeccably organised, the conference saw joint meetings between the Turkish Society of Cardiology and their European peers, the German Cardiac Society and the Association of Cardiologists of Bosnia & Herzegovina. These joint sessions aimed to develop mutual cooperation in the field of cardiology. The Turkish Society of Cardiology has been holding joint sessions with German Cardiac Society since 1994 and with the Polish Cardiac Society since 1991, reciprocally. The same project was started in 2006 with the Association of Cardiologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in 2008 with the Hellenic Cardiological Society. Thus, the TSC is preparing to host the delegations from Poland and Greece in its 25^th Congress.

Furthermore the opening of the congress to international abstracts for the first time contributed to the multinational feel of the event. This initiative gave several cardiologists from other countries the opportunity to showcase their work and demonstrate their interest in sending their papers to the Turkish Society of Cardiology Congress. International submissions reached 72 out of a total of 667, or 10% - a remarkable amount for the first year.

Oral and poster presentations highlighted Turkey’s academic research credentials, as well as the strong knowledge base that exists in the country. This information was extensively and successfully disseminated through 10 live transmissions by national TV channels, including one given by ESC President Roberto Ferrari, and through 3 editions of a specially created Congress Newspaper.

After the congress the first “Heart Sculpture”, prepared by 224 cardiologists during the Congress, was erected on 2 November, in the presence of the Mayor of Sisli-Istanbul, Mustafa Sarigul, Professor Dr. Omer Kozan and the sculptor Yigit Yazici in the garden of the Sisli Wedding Hall – a lasting tribute to the willingness of all those concerned to the promotion of cardiovascular health in Turkey.

TV Interview with President Ferrari

Click for original article at ESC.