HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY MEETING Meeting Highlights of the 14th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography: June 11 to 14, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nevada

The 2003 Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) survived a last-minute change in venue from Toronto to Las Vegas, attracting more than 2,400 registrants to a multidimensional program. This paper outlines the structure of the meeting and highlights presentations related to clinical and research applications of echocardiography. It is worth noting that the ASE provides disease-based as well as technique-based education, a concept that is reflected in both the subject matter presented and the faculty of the Annual Scientific Sessions. The membership of the ASE is diverse and includes physicians (cardiologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and fellows) as well as sonographers, nurses, and department managers. To meet the continuing educational needs of members, the ASE 2003 included the following tracks: Disease of the Day (coronary artery disease, valve disease, and heart failure on successive days); Meet the Experts/ How to; Cutting-Edge Technology; Cases; Core Curriculum (ultrasound basics); Sonography; Intraoperative Echocardiography and Pediatric Echocardiography. Special sessions included technique-based symposia and cosponsored sessions with the Society for Vascular Ultrasound, European Society of Cardiology, Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories, and the ASE Women’s Health Advisory Group. A session was also offered in Spanish. Special lectures included: the Edler Lecture, “Good Morning ASE,” given by President Pam Douglas; the Feigenbaum Lecture, “Should We Examine the Heart or the Myocardium: Recent Advances in Tissue Characterization,” by Dr. Thomas Marwick; and “Back to the Future,” a review of the evolution of echocardiography, by Dr. Jamil Tajik. Informal, small-group, how-to sessions and two popular “games” offered a change in tempo from structured didactic sessions. “Echo Jeopardy,” the creation of John Gorcsan III, featured echocardiography luminaries who competed using the game-show format. A local society challenge had a “stump the other team” approach. The President’s Reception this year featured a celebration of the 50th anniversary of echocardiography. Major topics for the didactic and abstract sessions included abnormalities of ventricular function, valve disease with a focus on the intraoperative setting, contrast echocardiography, new technology, and pediatric echocardiography.