American College of Cardiology

Contacts:
kbieg@acc.org
adees@acc.org

In this issue:

World Heart Day, Sept. 26

Publications Committee Update

CCA Member Travel Awards

ACC’05 Scientific Session!

March 6 – 9, 2005
Orlando, Florida

Member Registration Opened Sept. 16

CCA Group Addresses Nursing Education and Program Accreditation

On Sept. 16, members of the Working Group on Continuing Nursing Education (CNE WG) gathered at Heart House for the first time for an all-day meeting. The newly created CNE WG is responsible for coordinating all aspects of continuing nursing education sponsored by the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF). The Chair of the WG, Eileen Handberg, Ph.D., A.C.N.P., reports to and serves as a member of the ACCF Education Strategic Directions Committee.

These CCA member volunteers, a mix of R.N., C.N.S., N.P., M.S.N. and Ph.D. representatives, will work to establish a strong professional development environment at ACC that will provide continuing nursing education credits for cardiovascular nurses.

The day started early and the group members rolled up their sleeves and proceeded through an agenda that included beginning the processes to:

• Understand the procedures for seeking accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)


• Refine a beliefs and goals statement for the ACCF, an important step in the accreditation process


• Define a scope and standards of practice for cardiovascular nursing


• Assess the applicable nursing curriculum content in current ACC programs, including ACC’05


• Assess the learning needs of CCA members and integrate those needs into future programming and products


• Set strategies and timelines and discuss ways of involving more nurses in the College’s activities.

The CNE Working Group and other CCA members who are taking leadership roles are building a foundation that will result in a home base for cardiovascular nurses and physician assistants, which, when combined with the ACC physician base, creates a strong cardiac care team environment. And, of course, strengthening the cardiac care team improves patient care.

This is an important time for other CCA members to contribute their ideas and whatever time they can afford to give. Even if it is just responding to surveys, you will be making an important contribution. To contact members of the CNE WG, go to the Online Member Directory at http://services.acc.org/memberdirectory/

Practice Updates

Study Challenges Common View of Ethnic Differences in Atherosclerosis
Challenging previous studies indicating that African Americans tended to have lower amounts of atherosclerosis, despite having higher cardiovascular death rates, is a new study showing that African Americans and whites have similar amounts of coronary calcium deposits. The new study suggests that factors other than coronary atherosclerotic burden, which are not reflected in the Framingham risk score, contribute significantly to the higher CHD mortality rate in African Americans. See "African Americans and Caucasians Have a Similar Prevalence of Coronary Calcium in the Dallas Heart Study." JACC. Sept. 1, 2004. For more information, click here.

Decreased Mortality in Patients Who Undergo Cardiac Rehabilitation After MI
In a study of 1,821 patients with incident myocardial infarction, researchers noted that among patients who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation, mortality and recurrent MI rates were much lower than rates of the non-participating patients. See “Cardiac Rehabilitation after Myocardial Infarction in the Community.” JACC. Sept. 1, 2004. Click here.

FDA Announces Qualified Health Claims for Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on conventional foods that contain eiscosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids. Typically, EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are contained in oily fish, such as salmon, lake trout, tuna and herring. These fatty acids are not essential to the diet; however, scientific evidence indicates that these fatty acids may be beneficial in reducing CHD, says the FDA. Click here.

Publications
Committee Update

Publications Committee Seeks Your Input
Kathleen Dracup, R.N., F.N.P., D.NSc., and the CCA member representative on the ACC Publications Committee, provides this update on the committee’s recent activities:
Kathleen A. Dracup, RN, FNP, DNSc, FAAN is dean and professor at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing.

Traditionally, the ACC Publications Committee has met once a year at ACC’s Scientific Session. But times are changing and in recognition of that fact, the committee met this past August for an all-day retreat. The committee felt it was important to take the time to study the big picture in ACC publications. Many changes are taking place in scientific publishing, including the ever-increasing reliance on web-based communication, and of course, the addition of Cardiac Care Associate members indicates new content needs.

Our meeting was very productive and, now, I need input from my CCA colleagues to move forward. What content do you want to see covered in ACC publications? What are your needs? I also want to encourage you to volunteer as authors, reviewers and editorial board members. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts at kathleen.dracup@nursing.ucsf.edu.

ACC News

Oct. 31 Deadline for 20 CCA Member Travel Award Applications
If you are planning to apply for one of the 20 CCA member travel awards to ACC’05 in Orlando, be sure to get your application in by Oct. 31, 2004. Each travel award will cover up to $1,250 per person in expenses and includes registration, transport and hotel. Awardees are reimbursed following the meeting. Winners will be randomly selected on Nov. 1 and notified the same day. The list of winners will be posted on www.acc.org. Click here to go to the Web site and then click on the CCA Travel Awards starburst for more information.

Please note: If you plan on attending ACC’05, don’t jeopardize your hotel selection by waiting until November. All award applicants are encouraged to register for the meeting when housing registration opens to members on Sept. 16, 2004

ACC Promotes World Heart Day, Sept. 26
Heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death, will get added attention Sept. 26, as nations around the globe promote awareness of World Heart Day's "Children, Adolescents and Heart Disease" campaign. Unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles have doubled the number of overweight and obese children and adolescents in the past two decades alone, reaching epidemic proportions. As a result, we are seeing increased risk of illness from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and stroke.

Recognizing the important role families must play in turning the tide, the ACC has invited all 50 U.S. Governors to proclaim Sept. 26 World Heart Day, and to enlist the First Families in promoting children's heart health with activities and community events throughout their state. World Heart Day is sponsored globally by the World Heart Federation, and ACC is a U.S. supporter. For more information about World Heart Day and ACC activities, go to www.acc.org, www.worldheart.org, and www.worldheartday.com.

Reception for CCA Members Scheduled at AHA Scientific Sessions
ACC will host a reception for CCA members on Sun., Nov. 7, 5 - 6 p.m., at the New Orleans Marriott, Salon F-G, during the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2004 in New Orleans. Take advantage of this opportunity to network with your fellow CCA members, ACC leadership and staff.

ACC Testifies on Post-Market Surveillance of Pediatric Medical Devices
On Aug. 31, ACC member Mark Boucek, M.D., F.A.C.C, presented testimony to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) outlining recommendations for post-market surveillance of pediatric medical devices. The ACC supports careful monitoring of patient outcomes in pediatric populations and suggested that the IOM panel explore a registry system similar to the College’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry to collect pediatric outcomes data.

ACC’05 Preferred Registration and Housing for ACC Members Now Open
The special early registration period for ACC members only, which includes meeting registration and housing, opened Sept. 16. Members have a special window of opportunity before general registration opens Sept. 30 to choose their housing in Orlando and, of course, register at the early bird rates.

Membership

CCA Local Network Liaisons Receive Membership Toolkit
To provide a support infrastructure for CCA members at the local level, ACC has created a corps of CCA Local Network Liaisons. Local Network Liaisons are CCA member volunteers who will work with ACC state chapter Governors and Chapter Executives to better serve the needs of CCAs. These volunteer CCA members have a number of duties, such as:

• Keeping CCA members posted on relevant activities and programs


• Serving as primary contacts and information conduits with national ACC
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• Representing ACC at other professional meetings for nurses, N.P.s, and P.A.s
• Recruiting new members

Still in the process of developing their roles, the liaisons are exploring ways of expanding CCA member benefits. Their efforts include making self-assessment programs more applicable to CCA needs, incorporating more CCA-specific features in Cardiosource, and supporting ACC’s efforts to earn accreditation as a provider of continuing nursing education.

To help with recruiting new members, all CCA Local Network Liaisons have received a Cardiac Care Associate membership toolkit this month. The toolkit includes information about various ACC departments, products and programs, membership information and forms, and a list of the liaisons.

These volunteers are helping to build the ACC programs for cardiac care team members, which ultimately enhances patient care. You can be a part of their team if you wish. Whether you are contributing program ideas, recruiting members, or participating at events, you can make a difference. The complete list of Local Network Liaisons will be posted soon on the CCA Member Web site on www.acc.org.

Special Membership Offer Combines Remainder of 2004 with 2005
Your colleagues who join now as CCA members for 2005 will receive CCA member benefits for the rest of 2004, in addition to their 2005 membership year — all this for only one dues payment ($100, plus a one-time processing fee of $25). Pass the news of this wonderful opportunity to your colleagues who have not yet joined ACC. Click here for more information.

Education Opportunities

37th Annual New York Cardiovascular Symposium: Major Topics in Cardiology Today
Directed by Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C. In cosponsorship with The New York Cardiological Society of the New York State Chapter of the ACC, Dec.10-12, 2004, Hilton New York, New York. This renowned New York Cardiovascular Symposium presents a comprehensive view of major topics in cardiology today. You’ll hear the latest information on diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive approaches to coronary heart disease, cardiac and electrical failure, structural heart disease, aortic aneurysm, infective endocarditis, hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary embolism, and atrial fibrillation.

Cardiovascular MRI Self Assessment Tool Now Available
More and more, magnetic resonance imaging is being used as a diagnostic tool in cardiovascular care. In response to member needs, ACC worked with the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance to develop the Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Self Assessment Program (CMRSAP). ACC’s self-assessment programs, such as CMRSAP, are designed to help all members of cardiac care teams stay current with new tools and techniques in cardiovascular care. CMRSAP, which includes a wealth of CMR knowledge from more than 70 world-renowned experts (including cardiologists, physicists, radiologists and CCAs), was edited by Gregory W. Hundley, M.D., F.A.C.C. CMRSAP is available online now with a CD-ROM version available in October. The price for CCA members is only $99, substantially less than the cost for physician ACC members.

Listen Online — ACC Conversations with Experts
Free to all ACC members! On Cardiosource, tune in for 20 – 30 minutes of fast-paced discussions between experts on hot topics. If the timing of a session doesn’t fit your schedule, the sessions are archived, which means that you can set a time to go online and read or listen. For more information, go to www.conversations.acc.org.

Check out these recent conversations:
“AADVANCE: Implications for Treating Hypertensive African-Americans Watch Program”
“Combination Therapies for Cholesterol Management”

Look for these upcoming conversations
“Left Atrial Enlargement: Clinical Implications”......................9/22/04
“How Many Drugs Does a Heart Failure Patient Need?”..........9/29/04

Now available and free to all ACC members! The Diabetes-Cardiovascular Disease Toolkit, a part of the Make the Link! Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke campaign! Available on CD-ROM, hard copy, and online, through the partnership of ACC, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA). Go to www.acc.org/outreach/diabetes/diabetes.htm for more details.

Make the Link! Webcasts
ACC, ADA, and PCNA also have an ongoing continuing education series of free live Webcasts. Archives are available. Click here for details.

We Welcome Your Suggestions for CCA Update
To comment on topics covered in this issue or to offer ideas for future issues, please click here.

	Start Planning Now for the ACC’05 Scientific Session! March 6 – 9, 2005 Orlando, Florida
	Important Dates To Remember:
	September 16, 2004 ACC’05 Preferred Registration and Housing Opens for ACC Members Only
	Sept. 30, 2004 ACC'05 General Early Bird Registration and Housing Opens for ACC Members Only
	Nov. 30, 2004 Early Bird Registration Deadline Click here for information.