Important LinksConference homepage: http://aats.org/annualmeeting Webcast feed beginning Sunday, May 5: http://webcast.aats.org/2013Daily News Preview: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/elsevier/aats_2013preview AATS homepage: www.aats.org

Meeting at a GlanceThe American Association for Thoracic Surgery Annual Meeting is the oldest and largest cardiothoracic surgery meeting in North America. The 93rd will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA, on May 4-8, 2013. Approximately 2500 professionals are expected to attend. These will include:• Cardiothoracic Surgeons• Physicians in related specialties including Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Radiology, Gastroenterology and Thoracic Oncology• Fellows and Residents in Cardiothoracic and General Surgical training programs• Allied Health Professionals involved in the care of cardiothoracic surgical patients• Medical students with an interest in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Highlights• Social Media and Medicine, Saturday, May 4, 8:00 AM – 8:20 AMLee Aase, Director, Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media• The Price of Innovation, Sunday, May 5, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PMAlbert Starr, MD, Oregon Health and Science University• Presidential Address: On Leadership and Scholarship – Unintended Consequences, Unexpected Opportunities, Monday, May 6, 11:25 AM – 12:15 PMHartzell V. Schaff, MD, Mayo Clinic• Honored Speaker Lecture: The Honorable Richard B. Cheney, Former Vice President of the United States of America, Tuesday, May 7, 11:40 AM – 12:30 AM

The AATS Annual Meeting is a primary opportunity to receive continuing medical education and learn about the latest products and services in thoracic treatment and care. Exhibits of the latest technologies from nearly 100 vendors will showcase products to improve patient care and professional development.• AATS Learning Center – Case videos of novel procedures and surgical techniques• Scientific Sessions – The latest research and developments in the field• Operating Room of the Future – Including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Suite• Working with Industry – The surgeon’s role in developing products used to treat patients• Skills and Decision Making – Technical and decision-making skills for surgeons• Allied Health Personnel Symposium – New developments for nurses, nurse-practitioners, perfusionists and physician assistants

Mobile AppAny Web-enabled device (iPhones, iPads, iPods, Androids, Palm, E-readers) can access an interactive version of the program, with searchable program topics, faculty, exhibitors, social functions and local Minneapolis information. This app also includes live polling and audience response in many sessions to increase interactivity.

Presentation News ReleasesHighlighted presentations: All releases are under embargo until date and time of presentation

Release: Low-Dose Anticoagulation Therapy Used with New Design Mechanical Heart Valve Lowers Bleeding RiskPresentation at 93rd AATS Annual Meeting Describes Preliminary ResultsPresentation: “Reduced Anticoagulation after Mechanical Aortic Valve Replacement: Interim Results from the PROACT Randomized FDA IDE Trial,” by John Puskas, Dennis Nichols, Marc Gerdisch, Reed Quinn, Charles Anderson, Birger Rhenman, Lilibeth Fermin, Michael McGrath, Bobby Kong, Chad Hughes, Gulshan Sethi, Michael Wait, Tomas Martin, and Allen GraeveTime: May 6, 7:45 AM CT

Release: Minimal Dose CT Superior to Chest X-Ray for Detection of Recurrent Lung Cancer Greater Sensitivity, with Lower Radiation Dose, Allows for Faster Treatment, Reported at 93rd AATS Annual Meeting Presentation: “Minimal Dose Computed Tomography Is Superior to Chest X-ray for the Follow-Up and Treatment of Patients with Resected Lung Cancer,” by WC Hanna, NS Paul, GE Darling, H Moshonov, F Allison, KE Tweed, TK Waddell, M Cypel, ME de Perrot, K Yasufuku, S Keshavjee, and AF PierreTime: May 6, 8:25 AM CT

Release: Single, High-Dose Erythropoietin Given 2 Days Pre-Op Reduces Need for Transfused Blood Aim Is for Better Outcomes in Anemic Surgical Patients with Fewer Transfusion-Related Complications, According to Study Presented at 93rd AATS Annual Meeting Presentation: “Single High Dose of Erythropoietin Two Days Before Surgery: A Simplified Short Term Approach to Blood Spare,” by Luca Weltert, Beatrice Rondinelli, Mauro Falco, Alessandro Bellisario, Daniele Maselli, Luca Pierelli, and Ruggero De PaulisTime: May 6, 8:45 AM CT

Release: Minimally-Invasive Technique to Replace Failed Biological Aortic Valves Successful in High Risk PatientsPresentation at 93rd AATS Annual Meeting Describes Valve-in-Valve RepairPresentation: “Early Clinical Outcome of Transcatheter Valve-in Valve Implantation in the Nordic Countries,” by Leo Ihlberg, Henrik Nissen, Niels-Henrik Nielsen, Andreas Ruck, Rolf Busund, Kaj-Erik Klaarborg, Lars Soendergaard, Jan Harnek, Heikki Miettinen, Markku Eskola, Alexander Wahba, and Mika Laine Time: May 6, 11:00 AM CT

Release: Helping Kids With Severe Respiratory Failure Survive Until Lung TransplantationFirst Use of Pumpless Paracorporeal Assist Device in the Very Young, Presentation at 93rd AATS Annual Meeting Presentation: “Paracorporeal Lung Assist Devices as a Bridge to Recovery or Lung Transplant in Neonates and Young Children,” by David M. Hoganson, Avihu Z. Gazit, Umar S. Boston, Stuart C. Sweet, R. Mark Grady, Charles B. Huddleston, Pirooz EghtesadyTime: May 6, 4:15 PM CT

Release: Minimally-Invasive Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation Helps Children with Refractory Ventricular ArrhythmiasArrhythmias Gone in Majority of Children, Says Study to Be Reported at 93rd AATS Annual MeetingPresentation: “Left Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for Cardiac Denervation in Children with Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmias,” by Sophie C Hofferberth, Frank Cecchin, Dan Loberman, Francis Fynn-ThompsonTime: May 7, 2:20 PM CT

Release: Thoracic Endografts Used Successfully to Remove Tumors Invading the Aorta Study Suggests New Application for Endovascular Grafts, According to Presentation at 93rd AATS Annual Meeting Presentation: “Thoracic Aortic Endografting Facilitates the Resection of Tumors Infiltrating the Aorta,” by S. Collaud, T.K. Waddell, K. Yasufuku, G. Oreopoulos, R. Rampersaud, B. Rubin, G. Roche-Nagel, S. Keshavjee, and M. de PerrotTime: May 8, 7:45 AM CT

Meeting Link: 93rd American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Annual Meeting