ISMCS 27TH ANNUAL MEETING

Welcome to the 27th Congress of the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support

Antonio Loforte, MD, PhD
Congress President ISMCS 2019
S. Orsola Hospital, ALMA Mater Studiorum University of Bologna
Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and VascularSurgery
Bologna, Italy

Dear Members and Guests,

As Program Chairman of the 27th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support (ISMCS, formerly International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps, ISRBP) which is going to be held on October 21-23, 2019, in Italy, I warmly welcome you to the beautiful city center of Bologna.

‘Discovery consists of seeing what every body has seen and thinking what nobody has thought’
(Albert von Szent-Gyorgy, physiologist, recipient of 1937 Nobel Prize in Physiology).

This sentence is going to be the official message to be fully addressed by all attendees of our scheduled, first time in Italy, ISMCS 2019 scientific program.

ISMCS (past-ISRBP) is a world class society that has been in existence for almost 30 years. ISMCS’s mission is to provide a forum that globally and collaboratively promotes the development of innovative medical device technology at the cross roads of science, engineering, and medicine. ISMCS is the ideal home for visionaries with innovative ideas and out-of-the-box thinkings.

ISMCS 2019 Annual Conference is going to provide a special venue for both young and experienced investigators to present their own research to an international audience receptive to new concepts in each of these fields thus getting a real-time clinical and engineering feedback on the viability of novel solutions or technologies with eventual life-changing potential.

ISMCS 2019 strives to provide an interdisciplinary forum for educational opportunities for the treatment of neonate, pediatric and adult applications. Dedicated sessions are devoted to tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, pediatric and adult mechanical circulatory support, device development, and VAD coordinator training.

This year all ISMCS aims are going to be set in Bologna.

Surrounded by hills, Bologna city is still much as it was during the Renaissance with handsome red-colored buildings, medieval palaces, porticoed streets with covered walk ways and marbled floors, and its enchanting leaning towers.
Bologna provides the best of several worlds. It has beautiful piazzas, churches, and museums; it’s an important commercial center; a thriving university town filled with cafes, bars, and nightlife; and a gastronomic heaven, famous for cuisine and wine.
Bologna is the engineering heart of the worldwide well-known “Motor Valley”, in Emilia-Romagna, a land where the passion for cars and motorbikes has a long tradition and the myth of speed and creativity is an integral part of the culture.

Emilia-Romagna is the region in which the main biomedical industries developed thus currently providing challenging solutions and technologies to all over the world.

The University of Bologna, the oldest in the world, was founded in 1088 as a law school by a group of scholars trying to settle the disputes between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy. Today, it is an international center for the most representative educational academic conferences and publishings.

It would be a great privilege for me and all ISMCS board to count on your active contribution during our Annual Conference meeting.

We hope all of you will enjoy staying Bologna, world-leading city of Italy.

Best Regards,

Antonio Loforte

Registrations are closed. It’s possible to sign in on site. 

REGISTRATION FEES

THE EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MONDAY, AUGUST 5

Congress
ISMCS Member (Physicians/Engineer)
– Early Registration (before 31 July > POSTPONED TO AUGUST 5)
€ 350,00 + VAT (€ 427,00 VAT included)
– Late registration (after 31 July > POSTPONED TO AUGUST 5)
€ 450,00 + VAT (€ 549,00 VAT included)

ISMCS NON Member (Physicians/Engineer)
– Early registration (before 31 July > POSTPONED TO AUGUST 5)
€ 400,00 + VAT (€ 488,00 VAT included)
– Late registration (after 31 July > POSTPONED TO AUGUST 5)
€ 500,00 + VAT(€ 610,00 VAT included)

Nurse/Perfusionist/Resident
€ 190,00 + VAT (€ 231,80 VAT included)

Student
€ 105,00 + VAT (€ 128,10 VAT included)

1 Day Registration
€ 200,00 + VAT (€ 244,00 VAT included)

ISMCS/ICCAC MCS Proficiency Course (MPV)
Physicians/Engineer
€ 120,00 + VAT (€ 146,40 VAT included)
Nurse
€ 80,00 + VA T (€ 97,60 VAT included)

REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDE

Congress
• Access to the Scientific sessions of the Congress
• Congress kit
• Certificate of attendance
• Coffee break and lunch

ISMCS/ICCAC MCS Proficiency Course (MPV)
• Access to the Course
• Course kit
• Certificate of attendance
• Coffee break

Cancellation policy
Cancellation of registration and hotel reservation has to be compulsorily notified in writing (by email or fax) to the Organizing Secretariat. 70% of the amount paid will be refunded if cancellation is made no later than 1st September 2019. After that date no refund will be made.

THE DEADLINE FOR THE ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS EXPIRED. THE NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE WILL BE SENT TO THE SUBMITTING AUTHOR BY THE END OF JULY.

The ISMCS Congress Committee invites participants to submit abstracts of original and unpublished works for oral, poster and/or rapid fire presentations.

Submission deadline
DEADLINE POSPONED TO JUNE 30, 2019 (Sun) 11.59 pm Italian time (GMT +1)
instead of June 14, 2019 
Abstracts received after this date will not be accepted.

All abstracts must be formally submitted via the online abstract submission system.

GENERAL RULES

Types of Presentation
All authors should be prepared to do an oral or poster presentation. However, if you would like to be excluded from oral presentations, please check the appropriate box in the Abstract Submission Form.
The Scientific Program Committee of the ISMCS 2019 reserves the right to assign a different presentation format from the one selected by the presenting author.
• Free Paper Presentation: a selection of abstracts will be accepted for oral presentation during the Free Paper sessions. Presenters will be given 8 minutes to present their research findings and 2 minutes for discussion.
• Poster Presentation: participants are also encouraged to submit their work as a poster presentation that promotes direct exchange of ideas between presenter and delegates. Posters will be set up in a dedicated area.

Abstract Receipt Confirmation
Upon successful submission, authors will receive an automated acknowledgment via email. Lack of acknowledgment will indicate that the abstract was not received.

Notification of Acceptance
The Presenting Author of each abstract accepted for publication will be notified by email by the end of July, 2019.
If the presenting author is unable to present the abstract, a co-author can take his/her place.

Withdrawal
Submitted abstracts cannot be withdrawn unless with valid reason(s) approved by the Scientific Committee.

Originality of Abstracts
Submitted abstracts must describe unpublished work.

Publication
Abstracts will be published exactly as submitted. Any abstract considered unsuitable for reproduction will not be published. In cases of abstracts with extremely poor English, the Abstract Selection Committee reserves the right to modify the submitted text. The Abstract
Selection Committee however will make every effort in these instances not to alter the meaning of the text and will contact the submitting authors prior to publication.

All abstracts accepted for presentation (either oral or poster) will be published only if payment of registration has been made by September 6, 2019.

All accepted abstracts will be encouraged to send a full manuscript for Artificial Organs ISMCS Official Journal.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Language: English Only

Abstract (300 words or less) must be composed of the following paragraphs:
– Background/Purpose
– Methods
– Results
– Conclusions

Use of standard abbreviations is desirable. Place special or unusual abbreviations in parentheses after the full word the first time they appear. Use numerals to indicate numbers, except to begin sentences.

The following information is required to process your application.
– Abstract category
o Device development, emerging device, engineering
o Partial support – Percutaneous
o Short-term MCS and ECLS
o Long-term VAD
o Total Artificial Heart
o Hemocompatibility and human interface
o Pediatrics
o Patient care
o Energy transfer
o Simulation and modelling
o Smart pumping, monitoring and control
o Others

– Presentation format preferred
o Oral
o Poster

– Paper title

– Author(s) information
o Presenter
o Affiliation
o Zip Code, address and country
o E-mail address
o Telephone number

– Awards (if you apply)
o Helmut Reul Young Investigator Award
o Sezai Award
o Asia Pacific ISMCS Young Investigator Award
o ISMCS Poster Award

For those who did not registered abstracts will not be evaluated.

Although we will attempt to accommodate your preference, the local committee reserves the right to decide the type of presentation.

Download the preliminary program here

It is possible to make an online reservation at the following LINK together with the registration at the Congress.
A number of rooms have been booked for Congress participants at the hotels listed below.

Royal Hotel Carlton 4*
Via Montebello, 8 – 40121 Bologna
Ph.: +39 051 249361
DUS: € 139,00
Double: € 169,00

Starhotel Excelsior 4*
Viale P. Pietramellara, 51 – 40121 Bologna
Ph.: +39 051 246178
DUS: € 150,00
Double: € 170,00

Hotel Internazionale 4*
Via dell’Indipendenza, 60 – 40121 Bologna
Ph.: +39 051 245544
DUS: € 139,00
Double: € 169,00

Hotel Tre Vecchi 4*
Via dell’Indipendenza, 47 – 40121 Bologna
Ph.: +39 051 231991
DUS: € 120,00
Double: € 140,00

Hotel Mercure Bologna Centro 4*
Viale P. Pietramellara, 59 – 40121 Bologna
Ph.: +39 051 42211
DUS: € 125,00
Double: € 140,00

Rooms will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis depending on availability. Confirmation will be sent to each applicant.
Please note that tourist tax have to be paid directly at check-out.

Cancellation policy
Cancellation of registration and hotel reservation has to be compulsorily notified in writing (by email or fax) to the Organizing Secretariat. 70% of the amount paid will be refunded if cancellation is made no later than 1st September 2019. After that date no refund will be made.

CONGRESS VENUE
Royal Carlton Hotel
Via Montebello, 8 – 40121 Bologna (Italy)
The Hotel is in the centre of Bologna, just a short walk from Piazza Maggiore and the Two Towers.

How to get to Bologna

By Plane
Several airlines connect Bologna with many Italian and foreign cities.
The international airport “G. Marconi” is located just 5 km from the Congress Venue and the city centre, about 15 minutes by taxi.
Taxi: +39 051.372727 – +39 051 4950

By Train
The Bologna Central Station is one of the largest railway interconnections in both Italy and Europe.
It is a 5 minutes walking from Royal Carlton Hotel.

By Car
The Royal Carlton Hotel is in the centre of Bologna, outside the restricted traffic zone.
From motorway A1, A13, A14: from the ring road exit n. 7 (Via Stalingrado) or exit Bologna Fiera direction city centre of Bologna.
To reach the Hotel using satellite navigation, it should be set for Via Milazzo 6 to avoid the restricted traffic zone.
A toll parking is available inside the hotel.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official language of the Congress is English.

EXHIBITION AREA
A technical exhibition will take place throughout the Congress.
For information, please contact f.geminiani@noemacongressi.it

SOCIAL PROGRAM
Conference Dinner will take place on October 22, h. 20.30, at Palazzo Gnudi (Via Riva di Reno, 77)..
Fee: € 45,00 + VAT (€ 54,90 VAT incl.)

Following tradition a number of awards are to be presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the ISMCS in Bologna.

Helmut Reul Young Investigator Award
This award is open to young investigators below 35 years old, who have submitted at least one successful abstract.
The top 5 scorers of the abstracts will make their presentations on Day 1, after the Opening Ceremony. The judges appointed by the Board will select the award winner. The winner will receive US $1,000.

Sezai Award
The award is granted to the individual who contributes to the most innovative paper.
There is no age restriction for this award. The winner will receive US $500

Asia Pacific ISMCS Young Investigator Award
This award is open to young investigators below 35 years old from Asia Pacific to promote rotary blood technology in Asia Pacific. The award will be based on scores given by the Organizing Committee.

ISMCS Poster Award
The best poster will be decided upon the judges selected from the Board members.

ICMT Award
This prestigious award is bestowed to the Company that has given the most significant contribution to the advancement of the field.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE RESEARCH
OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT (ISMCS) 2019

To promote the advancement in the field of mechanical circulatory support, and particularly the international cooperation amongst research groups, the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support offers an annual scholarship. This stipend is offered to a young researcher who pursues or has recently persued an excellent project in a joint cooperation between two institutions.

Amount: US$ 5.000,-

The project shall promote the field of mechanical circulatory support, must be (or have been) performed by him/her at least in part (>30%) in an institution outside of the country of the applicant’s home institution, and must have been either recently finished, or shall be performed within the next 12 months.

The application must include:
1. A description of the project to be performed (approx. 2 pages) or Manuscript/Paper of the already fulfilled project (submitted to a Journal not earlier than January 1st, 2019)
2. Confirmation of the guest institution that at least 30% the project has been/can be performed there (Signed by the Head of Department).
3. Confirmation of the home institution about the status of the applicant as part of the institution for the project period or at least parts of it (Signed by the Head of Department).

The applicant must be:
1. Younger than 38 years of age (as of August 31, 2019),
2. A member of the ISMCS (or must become a member at the time of application)
3. Present the results of the project at the ISMCS-Meeting 2019 (if already accepted for that program) or at the ISMCS-Meeting 2020 (the attendance of only one of these meetings is required).

Deadline: Received by September 3th, 2019 via email to Prof. Schima, the Coordinator of the Scholarship (heinrich.schima@meduniwien.ac.at).

A jury of six members of the ISMCS will decide on the best application. The jury reserves the right not to grant the award, in case of inadequate submissions. The winner will be announced at the annual Meeting in Bologna, Italy. The first half of the payment will be made immediately afterwards. The second half of the money shall be forwarded after the presentation of the results (either 2019 or 2020).

H. Schima – Coordinator
F. Moscato – President
G. Tansley – Secretary General
T. Tsukiya – Treasurer