Dear Colleagues,

This two day Symposium focuses on latest techniques in cardiac surgery and will be presented by some of the top clinicians and scientists in their respective fields. The program will include live surgery transmissions (in high quality HDTV format), video presentations, and scientific lectures on the most topical subjects in cardiac surgery. Active interaction with the audience will be encouraged throughout all stages of the program. Although the meeting will have a primary focus on surgery, it will also be a major goal to view cardiovascular problems from the point of view of the cardiologist, as well as the cardiac surgeon. Such an approach should allow for an optimal educational experience of all attendees. Together through extensive discussion and occasional controversy, we will strive to obtain consensus on how to jointly treat specific problems in cardiovascular medicine for the sake of our patients. The partnership and long lasting friendship of the two organizing centers in Leipzig and Dallas, together with an international distinguished faculty, will ensure a meeting of the highest quality. In addition, live didactic case presentations will continue to be a major focus of the meeting, as has been the case for many previous meetings broadcast from our center. This is the second of a series of partnership meetings organized by the teams of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in Dallas and Leipzig that will further broaden the information that was obtained at the successful Dallas – Leipzig Heart Valve Symposium that was held in April of this year. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you in Leipzig in December.

Yours sincerely,

Friedrich W. Mohr   •   Michael Mack