Few things remain the same and those that do are subject to the dimensional effects of time. In perfusion we are in the midst of one of the most profound changes in the history of our profession, most notably evidenced by the myriad of nonsurgical treatments for coronary artery disease. Although the controversy surrounding the long-term benefits of placing drug eluting stents across stenotic coronary vessels seems to suggest that surgical revascularization may be the ‘gold-standard’, newer modalities will continue to focus on catheter-based interventions. Research in this area is well seated in gene therapies and molecular interventions and, when combined with lifestyle alterations, will most assuredly advance therapeutic interventions in the treatment of acquired heart disease. So where does this impending void in surgical caseload leave perfusionists? Well, if we do nothing, then even the fuzziest crystal ball would still paint a gloomy picture.

AmSECT is not going to wait to see whether the coming-of-age baby boomers will create an upsurge in cardiopulmonary bypass case number. Two major initiatives being developed concern the areas of perioperative blood management and long-term ventricular support. The former will be discussed in a future President’s Corner, while the ventricular support will be addressed in a special educational session on ventricular support at the upcoming 45th International Conference in Atlanta. AmSECT will conduct a full-day symposium as a stand-alone event immediately preceding the meeting. This special symposium will be dedicated entirely to the field of ventricular assistance with educational presentations on diverse topics such as mechanical treatments for heart failure, extracorporeal life support as a bridge-to-bridge treatment, and management techniques for patients undergoing long-term therapy. Because this is an adjunctive course, a separate registration fee of $100.00 will be assessed and enrollment in the program limited to 100 registrants. The course will be conducted for 8 hours on April 25, 2007 at the Omni Hotel.

We hope that as many of you as possible will take advantage of this unique offering in expanding the role of the clinical perfusionist.