ADDISON, Texas, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The newest developments in transplantation research and emerging technologies will be presented at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation's (ISHLT) 25th Annual Meeting and Scientific Session, April 6-9 in Philadelphia. New research points to improved transplant survival rates, better immune system balance and success in advancing allocations for life-saving transplants.
"The combination of new technologies, better pharmaceuticals and increased research funding translates into improved patient management and even higher survival rates," said Shaf Keshavjee, M.D., and Program Chair of the ISHLT Meeting. "This is exciting news for the transplant community."
The meeting will feature original research, plenary sessions and lectures for more than 2,000 surgeons, physicians, scientists, transplant coordinators, nurses and other related industry representatives from around the world. The scientific program includes more than 400 peer-reviewed presentations, addressing the latest research in heart and lung failure and transplantation.
Scientific highlights from the meeting include:
* Predictors of transplant success using molecular testing (Satellite
Symposium 2)
* New device technology bridges patients to successful lung
transplantation (Abstract #97)
* Managing the transition from pediatric transplant patient to adult care
and the latest device technology for children (Satellite Symposia 4
and 5)
* Revised criteria for listing patients awaiting heart and lung
transplants (Closing Plenary Session)
* Baby boomers -- a new generation of older transplant recipients
(Satellite Symposium 8)
New Developments in Heart and Lung Transplants
Attendees will also learn about the latest strategies to improve donor organ performance and utilization and will get information about the newest pharmaceuticals available to prevent donor organ rejection. There will also be presentations devoted to the latest developments in repairing damaged organs and engineering new organs.
"The technology that allows us to repair organs or generate new tissue is amazing technology that will significantly change clinical therapies for heart and lung disease," said Dr. Keshavjee.
Worldwide, approximately 4,500 cardiac transplants are performed each year. The one-year, post-transplant survival rate for heart transplant patients is approximately 80 percent, dropping to nearly 50 percent after 10 years. The leading cause of death during the first three years is acute rejection of the transplanted organ. The patient's immune system attacks the heart as if it were a foreign object until it no longer functions properly.
In 2004, an estimated 4,000 Americans were on a lung transplant waiting list and demand outpaced donor organ availability by approximately 75 percent. Despite significant progress in surgical techniques and post-operative care, the risks remain high. As with heart transplant procedures, infection and rejection are the leading causes of complication and death in lung transplant patients.
Media Invited
All conference sessions will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel. Media representatives are invited to attend all scientific sessions and symposia free of charge. For registration or more information, contact Susan Speer at sspeer@masonpr.com or (210) 678-9248, or Lauren Mason at lmason@masonpr.com or (210) 731-6646. Abstracts and a complete meeting schedule are available online at http://www.ishlt.org/ .
About ISHLT
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the science and treatment of end-stage heart and lung diseases. Created in 1981 the Society now includes more than 2,200 members from 45-plus countries, representing a variety of disciplines involved in the management and treatment of end-stage heart and lung disease.
ISHLT maintains two vital databases. The International Heart and Lung Transplant Registry is a one-of-a-kind registry that has been collecting data since 1983 from 223 hospitals from 18 countries. The ISHLT Mechanical Circulatory Device (MCSD) database has been collecting data since 2002 with the aim of identifying patient populations who may benefit from MCSD implantation; generating predictive models for outcomes; and assessing the mechanical and biological reliability of current and future devices. For more information, visit http://www.ishlt.org/ .
International Society for Heart and Lung TransplantationCONTACT: Lauren Mason, +1-210-857-2521, or lmason@masonpr.com , forInternational Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
Web site: http://www.ishlt.org/