Registration is now open for the GenTAC Aortic Summit 2020, one of the premier meetings in the world focused on sharing knowledge and advancing research on genetic aortic disease. It is open to scientists, clinicians, institutions, organizations, and the general public interested in genetic aortic conditions. This year’s event will be virtual, with presentations on-demand beginning September 29 and live discussions on October 8 and 10.
The Call for Abstracts for the Aortic Summit is available as well. Abstracts for innovative research and clinical topics related to advancing therapeutic strategies and management should be submitted by September 11. Six abstracts will be chosen for live presentation on Thursday, October 8, from 7:30 – 8:30 pm, during our Cocktails and Posters session. All other abstracts will be available for viewing in our exhibit hall where questions and answers can be posted.
The GenTAC Aortic Summit, a biennual event, originated in 2009 as part of the mission of the National Registry of Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Related Conditions (GenTAC). Its objective are to share current knowledge of the scientific underpinnings of genetic aortic disease; review current best practices related to diagnosis and treatment; and foster scientific and educational exchange.
“We are so proud that we are able to bring together the leading experts in the US and around the world to address the various aspects of genetically triggered thoracic aortic aneurysms,” said Dr. Kim Eagle, MD, Director, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, and Chair of the GenTAC Alliance. “The online format offers an incredible opportunity for researchers and clinicians worldwide to be involved. Thus, the 2020 Summit will have a significant global impact and benefit patients in all corners of the world.”
The live portion of the GenTAC Aortic Summit 2020 kicks off on Thursday, October 8, 6-8:30 pm EST, with a special session titled, Best Practices for Managing Genetic Aortic Disease in a Covid-19 Era: Care, Education, and Research.
On Saturday, October 10, from 9 am-1 pm EST, there are five sessions, each featuring several expert-led discussions. These sessions are:
- Non-Marfan Familial Thoracic and Early Onset Aortic Conditions
- Marfan Syndrome: The Latest
- Turner Syndrome and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Bicuspid Aortopathy and Related Aortic Valve Disease
- Acute and Chronic Aortic Syndromes: From Bedside to Bench and Back
The complete agenda is available here.
The cost of regular registration is $100. Students and fellows are free. For more details and to register, please visit Marfan.org/AorticSummitRegister.
If you have any questions, please contact us at gentac@marfan.org.
The GenTAC Aortic Summit 2020 is sponsored by Gore, University of Michigan, and Weill-Cornell. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Helaine Baruch, hbaruch@marfan.org.
About the GenTAC Alliance
The goal of the GenTAC Alliance is to continue to harness the synergy driven by the GenTAC Registry, in maintaining and enhancing collaboration of stakeholders to advance scientific discovery and clinical practice, and address patient and provider education needs, with regard to genetically-triggered thoracic aortic disease and related cardiac and non-cardiac complications. It is the intent for the GenTAC Alliance to encompass a much wider group of stakeholders than the previous GenTAC Registry, open to any type of stakeholder with an interest in thoracic aortic conditions, including but not limited to researchers, patients, family members of patients, patient advocacy groups, clinicians, academic institutions, professional societies, and industry organizations. It is anticipated and hoped that the GenTAC Alliance will leverage the resources created through the initial GenTAC Registry, as well as other existing and new registries, to facilitate stakeholder collaboration on publications, foster new research collaborations, and identify and tap new resources to support grant opportunities for thoracic aortic disease. Beginning October 1, 2020, the GenTAC Alliance will be powered by The Marfan Foundation.
About The Marfan Foundation
The Marfan Foundation’s mission is to save lives and improve the quality of life of individuals with Marfan syndrome and other genetic aortic conditions. The Foundation works tirelessly to advance research, serve as a resource for families and healthcare providers, and raise public awareness. The Foundation continues to expand to better serve the community affected by genetic conditions related to Marfan syndrome. The Foundation added a VEDS division, The VEDS Movement, in October 2019 and a Loeys-Dietz syndrome division, the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation, in July 2020.
The Marfan Foundation is a nonprofit organization that saves lives and improves the quality of life of individuals with genetic aortic and vascular conditions including Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Our vision is a world in which everyone with genetic aortic and vascular conditions can live their best life.