This program is not CME accredited.

Now in its 11th year of clinical trials, the application of stem cells in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases has seen many notable successes, as well as identified challenges that await the next round of clinical studies.

The program will be dedicated to the evolving field of cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of cardiac and vascular disease, as well as related diseases such as diabetes and stroke. This year’s conference will focus on preclinical and clinical studies on the path to commercialization, highlighting the status of molecular, cell, and tissue products in addition to delivery systems.

Leaders from the international community will convene to present their work, experiences, observations, and opinions on the benefits and unmet challenges of cell-based therapies.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the scientific basis for cell-based therapies
• Describe new data regarding the capacity of specific cell lineages for cardiac repair
• Be familiar with results of clinical studies and the status of large-scale efficacy trials
• Appreciate the developmental strategies of next-generation cells, engineered tissue, and their expected first-in-human uses
• Appreciate the status of cardiovascular stem cell science at the global level, including development of resources, industry activities, strategies for collaboration, and current applicable policies

Target Audience

This conference is designed for clinicians and clinical investigators, interventional cardiologists, noninvasive cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, research associates, basic science investigators (cell and molecular biologists), members of public and private funding organizations, hospital administrators, program directors, legislators, and regulatory agency personnel.

Activity Evaluation

Online evaluation will address content, presentation, possible bias, and future educational needs.

Disclosure Statement

It is the policy of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its sponsored educational programs. Commercial support from industry does not influence educational content, faculty selection, and/or faculty presentations, and, therefore, does not compromise the scientific integrity of the educational activity.

Discussion of off-label product usage and/or off-label product use during live or taped cases is made at the sole discretion of the faculty and is not endorsed by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation or the program directors for this activity.

Faculty participating in continuing medical education activities sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation are required to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentation(s). Faculty not complying with this policy are not permitted to participate in this activity.