Highlights From the 2019 ESC Congress

ESC President Barbara Casadei, M.D., DPhil, FRCP, FESC, a British Heart Foundation Professor and an honorary consultant cardiologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, speaks at a press conference at the 2019 ESC Congress. #ESC19 #ESC2019

ESC President Barbara Casadei, M.D., DPhil, FRCP, FESC, a British Heart Foundation Professor and an honorary consultant cardiologist at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, speaks at a press conference at the 2019 ESC Congress.

September 9, 2019 — More than 33,000 health professionals gathered over five days to attend the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress in Paris. The event included more than 600 expert sessions covering the entire spectrum of cardiovascular medicine. There also were six Hot Line sessions showcasing 28 key clinical trials and 13 Late-breaking Science sessions, which both attracted large crowds.

“ESC Congress 2019, which was held this year with the World Congress of Cardiology, will be remembered as an exceptional vintage,” said Professor Marco Roffi, M.D., chair of the ESC Congress Programme Committee. “Studies presented this year in the Hot Lines, such as DAPA HF, COMPLETE or ISAR REACT 5, will no doubt influence practice. To date, we have also counted 54 simultaneous publications in major medical journals.”

Congress Programme Committee Chair, Prof Silvia Priori, M.D., Ph.D., in turn highlighted other landmark studies presented, such as THEMIS and PARAGON HF, which have addressed unmet needs. “I would also like to pick out the salt substitution study from Peru that received a standing ovation and showed that with simple means physicians and communities working together can reduce cardiovascular risk.”

“We were delighted to join forces with the World Heart Federation (WHF) this year,” said ESC President Barbara Casadei, M.D., DPhil, FRCP, FESC. “Despite all the advances in treatment that we have witnessed over the last few days, cardiovascular disease is still the number one killer in the world and there is a worrying trend in Western Europe where the rate of premature cardiovascular death has begun to increase for the first time in 50 years.”

Professor Karen Sliwa, M.D., Ph.D., FESC, FACC, WHF President commented: "Partnering with the European Society of Cardiology on this important event has been an opportunity to bring WHF's unique global perspective to the ESC Congress, contributing to making this the largest congress yet. It has been an incredible experience that has also strengthened the special partnership between WHF and ESC. A true example of joining forces in the fight against cardiovascular disease."

“Studies presented at ESC Congress get worldwide media exposure helping to promote the research presented at the event,” explained Sarah Clarke, M.D., FRCP, FESC, FACC, ESC Media Committee Chair. Not all the stories that made headlines this week came from Hot Lines.

ESC said the top late-breaking presentations covered by the lay media included:

• Tiny wearable cameras may improve quality of life in heart-failure patients
• Malaria infection increases risk of heart failure
• Eating nuts linked with lower risk of fatal heart attack and stroke
• Lifestyle, not genetics, explains most premature heart disease
• Twice yearly jab has the potential to reduce bad cholesterol

This year’s congress also featured the first patient forum. “We look forward to their continued involvement. Matching science with patient experience adds value,” said Casadei.

For more information: www.escardio.org