The 23rd Annual Advances in Contrast Ultrasound: Enhanced Atherosclerosis Imaging and Interventions/ Bubble Course 2008 will explore contrast echo, perfusion imaging and other new ultrasound techniques.

The symposium will consist of sessions designed to introduce relevant clinical issues, provide directed, spirited, open-ended discussions, and develop a group consensus. Each of the highlighted presentations will be followed by an open and lively, yet focused, discussion. Questions initiated by the chair will be directed to the faculty and audience at large. The discussion period will include opinions, scientific data, and brief supporting positions provided by the faculty. Slides or brief video segments will be used to support positions on specific issues. The chair will attempt to close each session by summarizing the opinion of the group.

This program is designed for cardiologists, interventional clinical cardiologists, biomedical engineers and research scientists, sonographers, nurses and other allied health professionals.

After attending the program, participants will be able to:

• Describe clinical uses of contrast ultrasound
• Discuss and apply new cardiovascular interventional therapies
• Discuss the variety of clinical applications of ultrasound contrast in clinical
  and research environments
• Demonstrate clinical and research applications in the field of contrast ultrasound to
  clinicians/scientists/technicians
• Identify new scientific, research applications of contrast ultrasound and interventional
  cardiovascular medicine, ultrasound and other emergent cardiovascular imaging techniques

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 11.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity..

Documentation of awarded credit is provided for registered attendees in exchange for completed activity evaluations. Certificates of attendence are provided to all registered attendees.

This symposium is being funded by education grants from various commercial organizations. A complete list of commercial supporters and contributors will be published in the course syllabus.

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 for 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 is made at the sole discretion of the faculty. Off-label product discussion and/or off-label product use is not endorsed by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation or the conference 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.

ACTIVITY EVALUATION:

Evaluation by questionnaire will address content, faculty presentation, bias, and future educational needs.