EuroPCR 2006 -- The Paris Course on Revascularization

The European Paris Course on Revascularization (EuroPCR) is well recognized for its brilliant integration of live case demonstrations coupled with the advancement of education in the field of percutaneous interventions. The goals of the meeting are simple: "To contribute to the advancement of education and information on existing and new technologies in the fields of percutaneous interventions (coronary, peripheral and non-coronary cardiac diseases), cardiac and vascular invasive and non-invasive imaging."

These simple objectives were achieved with ease by the Course Directors Prof. Marco and Prof. Fajadet, and with the help of a very solid international faculty. This year, during the opening ceremony in front of an audience of more than 10,000 attendees, Prof. Marco in conjunction with Prof. Tandera, President of the European Society of Cardiology, announced the merger between EuroPCR, the European Society of Cardiology, the Interventional Cardiology Working Group, and Europa Association. The newly formed association, the European Society of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), will be an independent branch of the European Society of Cardiology. EuroPCR will be the official meeting of the EAPCI and its official journal will be named EuroIntervention. Furthermore, and in concordance with this new entity, next year's meeting will no longer be held in Paris, France, but will move to Barcelona, Spain.

Seventeen years after its humble origins at the Institute Pasteur in Toulouse, France, and 6 years after being introduced at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, the meeting leaves for new grounds. There is no doubt that we will miss Paris, but in this ever-changing world of interventional cardiology, we are sure the collaborative efforts will lead to further improvement and important growth.

• Cardiovascular Interventions in Women: Are All Therapies Created Equal?
  
  Can the findings from randomized trials be generalized to all patients, regardless of gender? Or are there practices that should be specifically applied to women?

• TAXUS VI: TAXUS MR Stent in Complex Lesions -- 3-Year Clinical Results
  
  "The TAXUS VI trial shows us that the TAXUS MR stent is extremely effective in treating high-risk patients with very complex lesions, and the results are sustained over the long term."
• TAXUS ATLAS: Evaluation of the TAXUS Liberté vs TAXUS Express -- 9-Month Clinical Events
  
  "This study will help pave the road for the next generation of drug-eluting stents."
• SIMPLE II: Safety and Efficacy of the Infinnium Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent
  
  "All we can conclude from the SIMPLE II data is that the use of this new (less expensive) drug-eluting stent appears to be safe and effective in preventing restenosis."
• SESAMI: Sirolimus Stent vs Bare Stent in Acute Myocardial Infarction
  
  The SESAMI results are likely to add to the growing list of available indications for drug-eluting stents.
• SPIRIT First: Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stent vs Bare-Metal Coronary Stent -- 2-Year Follow-up
  
  The results of this feasibility trial provided the basis for additional phase 3 studies involving a larger number of patients, the results of which we eagerly anticipate.
• DEAR-MI: Dethrombosis to Enhance Acute Reperfusion in Myocardial Infarction
  
  Although the simple aspiration device showed a beneficial effect, should we be skeptical of these results?
• PREMIAR: Protection of Distal Embolization in Acute Myocardial Infarction
  
  "The reasons for these findings likely represent our lack of a complete understanding of the factors involved in no-reflow/distal embolization phenomena."
• RONDA: Renal Effects of Nesiritide During Angiography
  
  "These are disappointing results of this device and drug combination. However, RONDA is a small study and the conclusions that can be obtained are limited."