ACC.22 Celebrates a Return "Home"

"This is truly a unique and special moment in the history of the American College of Cardiology," said outgoing ACC President Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC, in kicking off the College's 71st Annual Scientific Session during the Opening Showcase. "After coming together virtually the last two years due to the COVID pandemic, it is fitting we are able to be here today – in person and in ACC's hometown of Washington, DC."

The Opening Showcase, which reached thousands of attendees attending the meeting both live and virtually, celebrated the safe return to an in-person event, the unique lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strength and resilience shown by the cardiovascular community over the last two years.

There were also sobering moments recognizing the war in Ukraine and its tragic impacts on millions of refugees, as well as the countless individuals who lost their lives to COVID-19 during the pandemic. Itchhaporia also recognized the lives and legacies of ACC Past Presidents C. Richard Conti, MD, MACC; Alfred A. Bove, MD, PhD, MACC; John Ross Jr., MD, MACC; and William L. Winters Jr., MD, MACC.

Itchhaporia's Presidential Address centered around the concept of "GRACE" – Gratitude, Resilience, Aspiration, Courage and Empathy. She highlighted the College's resilience in quickly embracing digital transformation, advocating for health policy solutions to protect patient access to care, and finding innovative ways to create and foster connections. She also underscored the numerous ways the ACC has aspired to "build a better College and a better profession."

"Registering" Important Moments

The STS/ACC TVT Registry Steering Committee

ACC.22 provided an opportunity for recognizing several milestone moments in the history and leadership of ACC's NCDR registries.

Included among the milestones – the 10-year anniversary of the STS/ACC TVT Registry. To date, the registry has captured the outcomes on >400,000 patients undergoing TAVR procedures in the U.S., representing virtually every patient treated in nongovernment institutions and outside of clinical trials.

Speaking at the Registry's Stakeholder Advisory Group, Ralph G. Brindis, MD, MPH, MACC, called the registry "a win-win for patients and their families, physicians and hospitals" and a host of other stakeholders including the U.S Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, industry, professional societies and more.

The College also recognized the steadfast leadership of Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, MACC, who has served as the long-time chair of the NCDR Oversight Committee.

"Thanks to his leadership, vision and initiative, the NCDR is positioned to meet the needs of patients, clinicians and hospitals both today and into the future," said outgoing ACC President Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC, during a special event honoring all the NCDR's volunteer leaders.

Learn more about ACC's NCDR registries and Accreditation Services at CVQuality.ACC.org.

Convocation Welcomes the Future of Cardiology

As we come to the close of this historic meeting, we all hope that ACC.22 marks the beginning of the end of a difficult time related to COVID-19, although parts of the world still face new threats. From the pandemic, we also hope this marks a new beginning where we recognize the value of health as a basic human right and where all deserve the opportunity to attain their full health potential," said incoming ACC President Edward T. A. Fry, MD, FACC, as he closed out ACC.22 during the annual Convocation ceremony.

He also reiterated the "real purpose" behind Convocation – recognizing the achievements and hard work of cardiovascular clinicians worldwide and celebrating the beginning of the ACC journey for more than 700 new Fellows and Associates. "To you all, we offer our collective congratulations and best wishes for a bright, healthy and prosperous future. There is much to be done and you will most certainly do great things," he said, offering a letter from the future 2032 ACC President outlining just what these "great things" will look like.