POLICLINICO TOR VERGATA CARDIAC SURGERY FOCUS
Provider ECM NOEMA
Dear Collegue,
Following the success of the inaugural Policlinico Tor Vergata Cardiac Surgery Focus, we are pleased to announce the second edition: Capitulum II – From Practice to Theory that will be held on March 19-20, 2026 at Villa Mondragone Congress Center, Monte Porzio Catone (Rome, IT).
The rationale for this event stems from the observation that the most valuable insights in cardiovascular medicine arise when clinical practice challenges established paradigms and theory provides the framework for innovation. For this reason, the second edition will begin with challenging clinical cases and then progress to the theoretical bases of the available treatment strategies. This format will create a dynamic dialogue between real-world decision-making and the principles that justify and guide those choices.
The scientific program will revolve around five clinical arenas, each introduced through emblematic patient cases and subsequently explored in depth:
- Heart Valves: Complex cases of aortic and mitral disease will highlight dilemmas such as repair versus replacement, surgical versus transcatheter solutions, and durability considerations. These cases will serve as a basis to explore the theoretical underpinnings of valve pathology, device design, and long-term management strategies.
- Coronaries: Scenarios of multivessel disease and left main involvement will illustrate the challenge of balancing surgical, minimally invasive, robotic, and percutaneous approaches. Case discussions will open into theoretical considerations of ischemia, myocardial protection, and the evolving role of hybrid revascularization.
- Aortic Organ: Acute and chronic aortic syndromes will be presented through cases that raise questions about open surgery, endovascular interventions, or hybrid solutions. These clinical realities will lead into an analysis of aortic biomechanics, stent-graft technology, and lifetime surveillance models.
- Arrhythmias: Patient cases involving atrial fibrillation and complex arrhythmic substrates will introduce the debate between surgical, transcatheter, and hybrid options. From these, the theoretical exploration will focus on electrophysiological mechanisms, atrial remodeling, and outcomes of left atrial appendage exclusion.
- Heart Failure: Advanced heart failure scenarios—including mechanical circulatory support, transplant, and emerging therapies—will serve as the clinical anchor for theoretical insights into ventricular mechanics, myocardial recovery, and the integration of novel technologies.
A defining feature of Capitulum II will be the interactive discussion between faculty and audience, ensuring that every session becomes a forum for shared experience and critical debate. Furthermore, the active participation of residents and fellows—also from foreign institutions—will be strongly encouraged, as a way of fostering the growth of the next generation of cardiac specialists and promoting international exchange.
As in the first edition, the event will bring together a prestigious interdisciplinary faculty of national and international experts.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Augusto D’Onofrio, MD, PhD
COURSE DIRECTOR
Augusto D’Onofrio
Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
SCIENTIFIC SECRETARIAT
Claudia Altieri
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
Carlo Bassano
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
Paolo Nardi
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
LOCAL SECRETARIAT
Nadia Crea
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
FACULTY * Faculty to be defined
Valentina Ajello | Roma, Italy
Sergio Almeida | Sao Paulo, Brazil
Claudia Altieri | Roma, Italy
Michele Antonello | Padova, Italy
Carlo Bassano | Roma, Italy
Umberto Benedetto | Chieti, Italy
Stefano Benussi | Brescia, Italy
Paolo Berretta | Ancona, Italy
Nikolaos Bonaros | Innsbruck, Austria
Tomaso Bottio | Bari, Italy
Leonardo Calò | Roma, Italy
Massimo Chello | Roma, Italy
Giovanni Domenico Cresce | Vicenza, Italy
Ruggero De Paulis | Roma, Italy
Alessandro Della Corte | Napoli, Italy
Luca Di Marco | Bologna, Italy
Augusto D’Onofrio | Roma, Italy
Gilles Dreyfus | Monaco
Suad El Qarra | Parma, Italy
Jessica Forcillo | Montreal, Canada
Lorenzo Galletti | Roma, Italy
Gino Gerosa | Padova, Italy
Giovanni Battista Luciani | Verona, Italy
Giampaolo Luzi | Roma, Italy
Eugenio Martelli | Roma, Italy
Sofia Martìn Suarez | Bologna, Italy
Giovanni Melina | Roma, Italy
Fabio Miraldi | Roma, Italy
Antonio Messina | Brescia, Italy
Andrea Natale | Roma, Italy
Paolo Nardi | Roma, Italy
Giuseppe Novelli | Roma, Italy
Francesco Onorati | Trento, Italy
Davide Pacini | Bologna, Italy
Calogera Pisano | Palermo, Italy
Gianluca Pontone | Milano, Italy
Stefano Salizzoni | Torino, Italy
Giuseppe Sangiorgi | Roma, Italy
Pierluigi Stefàno | Firenze, Italy
Bradley Taylor | Baltimore, USA
Gianluca Torregrossa | Wynnewood, USA
Hendrik Treede | Mainz, Germany
Igor Vendramin | Udine, Italy
Bo Yang | Ann Arbor, USA
Chiara Zanchettin | Padova, Italy
VENUE
Villa Mondragone • Congress Center
Via Frascati, 51
Monte Porzio Catone RM
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official language of the Meeting is English.
CERTIFICATION OF ATTENDANCE
Certificates of Attendance will be sent by e-mail at the end of the Conference
REGISTRATION FEES
(price including 22% VAT)
Physician, Perfusionist: € 200,00 – € 300,00 (on site)
Physician SICCH Members*: € 150,00 – € 300,00 (on site)
Resident: FREE
Conference dinner: € 60,00
*Reduced fee for individual registrations only
Registration fee includes: Admittance to all sessions, access to the exhibition, Congress kit, coffee breaks, light lunches on March 19th and 20th.
HOW TO REGISTER
On-line registration
CONFERENCE DINNER on March 19th, 2025 at h. 20.30
Villa Tuscolana
Villa Tuscolana Villa Tuscolana, located on the slopes of Mount Tuscolo, was built in 1578 on the ruins of Cicero’s ancient Roman residence. Originally owned by Cardinal Alessandro Rufini, it gained the name “La Rufinella.”
In the 18th century, architect Luigi Vanvitelli transformed it into a luxurious residence for the Jesuit Order. Over the years, it hosted many prominent
figures, including Prince Luciano Bonaparte and Queen Maria Cristina of Bourbon. In 1872, King Vittorio Emanuele II financed excavations around the villa, uncovering historical ruins. Later, Elisabetta Aldobrandi Lancellotti merged the villa with two others through underground tunnels. Damaged during WWII, it was restored and became a hotel under the Salesian Order.
HOW TO REACH THE COFERENCE VENUE
Monte Porzio Catone is a charming town located in the Castelli Romani area. You can reach it:
By car:
• From highway A1 Milano – Napoli from highway A24 Roma – L’Aquila/Pescara:
Follow direction Roma Sud, exit Monte Porzio Catone, then follow signs to Villa Mondragone.
• From highway A1 Roma – Napoli: Exit Monte Porzio Catone, then follow signs to Villa Mondragone.
• From downtown Roma: Take the G.R.A. (Grande Raccordo Anulare, the Roma Beltway) to the highway A1 Roma – Napoli (Exit No. 19).
Exit Monte Porzio Catone, then follow signs to Villa Mondragone
Free parking is available on-site.
By Train:
• From Roma Termini railway station: The train ride is approximately 30 minutes; a one-way ticket costs 2,10 Euro.
• From Frascati station: Villa Mondragone can be reached by taxi with a 10 minute ride
