Aims and objectives:

This will be an interactive, intensely practical conference on the modern management of diseases of the aorta. The aorta has been described as the “orphan organ” in recognition of the lack of a natural home within a defined medical or surgical specialty.

We believe that patients with aortic disease or aortopathy are best looked after by a cardiovascular team comprising surgeons, interventional and non-interventional cardiologists, radiologists and clinical geneticists.

Over these two days we will explore four controversial areas:

1. Dissection
2. Thoraco-abdominal aneurysm
3. Congenital or inherited aortopathy
4. Technology and the aorta

Conventional surgery has become significantly safer over the last 5 years but the technology of endovascular stenting has also progressed rapidly. The optimal management of these patients remains highly controversial and so the fourth section of our meeting will focus on 'New technology'.

Target audience:

This conference will be of interest to consultants, trainees, allied health professionals and nurses who are involved in the care of patients in several areas:

• Cardiac surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Interventional Cardiology and Radiology
• Clinical genetics