ACC ’05 abstract acceptance information is now available. All accepted abstracts will be published in the February 1, 2005, supplement to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The text of the abstracts will be available online beginning January 27, 2005.

Abstract Embargo Policy
All authors must comply with the ACC embargo policy, which states that scientific study results to be presented during the Annual Scientific Session must not be revealed to the public prior to the scheduled time of presentation at ACC ’05 or the ACC news conference, whichever one comes first.

Abstract Presenter Registration
Accepted abstract presenters may register beginning Dec. 1, 2004, as a Scientific Session Abstract Presenter, and will be charged a $75 meeting registration fee. Abstract submitters who wish to register and secure housing before abstract notification should register in the appropriate category (member, nonmember, etc.) and then request a refund of overpaid fees if an abstract is accepted.

All presenters must complete a registration form to obtain a hotel reservation and meeting badge. Registration and housing opened for ACC members on September 16, 2004. General registration opened on September 30, 2004.

Disclosure Information for Presenters

American College of Cardiology Foundation
Disclosure of Faculty Relationships Policy and Procedures

Policy Statement
The American College of Cardiology requires that audiences at the College's educational programs and those who use the College's educational products be informed of a presenter's (moderators, speakers, faculty, authors, and contributors) academic and professional affiliations, as well as other relationships (including the nature of those relationships) relevant to the content of the material that is presented. When a presenter will be discussing a product, service or research project supported by a private sector entity with whom the presenter has a financial or other relationship, the audience must be informed that such a relationship exists. This policy allows the listener/attendee to be fully informed in evaluating the information being presented. The corresponding author of all Abstracts of Original Contributions will notify all listed authors of this policy, and will complete the Disclosure Statement on the Presenter Agreement on behalf of all listed authors.

Definition
The educational committees of the College recognize that the nature of relationships that are appropriate to disclose will vary, depending on individual circumstances. What may be a "considerable interest" for one health professional may be insignificant to another. In general terms, any relationship that may bias one's presentation or contribution, or which, if known, could give the perception of bias, should be disclosed. These situations may include, but are not limited to, A) stock options or bond holdings in a for-profit corporation or self-directed pension plan, B) research grants, C) employment (full or part time), D) ownership or partnership, E) consulting fees or other remuneration received by the presenter or his/her immediate family, including any support that may be provided to attend the educational meeting, F) nonremunerative positions of influence such as officer, board member, trustee, or public spokesperson, G) receipt of royalties, H) "speaker's bureau." For full time employees of industry or government, the affiliation listed in the brochure will constitute full disclosure.

Acknowledgment
The list of speakers who have disclosed relationships will be available on-site or within the product. This list will delineate the nature of the relationship and the associated commercial entity. The following statement will accompany the disclosure listing:

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards and the policy of the American College of Cardiology, these presenters have indicated that they have a relationship which, in the context of their presentation, could be perceived as a real or apparent conflict of interest, but do not consider that it will influence their presentation. The nature of the conflict is listed.

Review and Retention
The Program Director and the appropriate education committee chair (or designated representative) will routinely review all submitted Disclosure Statements to assure that the College policy is being properly implemented. The completed disclosure statements will be retained by the College for a period of one (1) year.

Off-Label Use Disclosure and Generic Product Names
In accordance with ACCME Standards, when an unlabeled use of a commercial product, or an investigational use not yet approved for any purpose is discussed during an educational activity, the presenter must disclose that the product is not labeled for the use under discussion or that the product is still investigational. Additionally, whenever possible, use generic product names. Use product names only to help define the generic name for the audience.

To Prepare for Your Presentation
Disclosure is serious business. All presenters must display a slide at the beginning of their presentation indicating disclosure information as applicable, or that they have nothing to disclose.

 ACCF has received educational grant support from the following companies for ACC '05. Be sure to indicate at the time of your presentation whether you have a financial interest or relationship and the nature of the relationship(s) with any of these grant supporters.

ACC '05 educational grant supporters as of July 15, 2004:
     -  There are no grant supporters as of this date.

• Disclosure information must be announced verbally if your presentation does not utilize audio visuals.

• Abstract submitters must complete the disclosure information on behalf of all authors listed.

• Poster presenters must display this information on the poster board.

• Session co-chairs will be required to assist with and monitor compliance.

Click on the PPT Template to assist you with creating this slide. Presenters will be required to enter this information via the ACC '05 online Presenter's Agreement; disclosure information will also be printed as submitted as an index to the Final Program.

The American College of Cardiology Foundation would like to remind you that patient confidentiality is sacred. You are requested to eliminate patient identifiers from your presentation so as to preserve confidentiality and privacy. This will also enable compliance with HIPPA laws.