editoriale

Dear colleagues and friends We are very keen on inviting you at the 21st Annual Meeting of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiologists (EACTA) in Venice, Italy, May 24th-27th. The city of Venice and its surroundings are rich with museums and historical buildings of great artistic and cultural importance. It is not excessive to define Venice itself as a living museum bringing into the 21st century its great inheritance of history, culture and beauty. Moreover, the whole area around Venice has traditionally been one of the cradles of medicine and cardiac surgery in Italy, with the ancient University of Padua very close to Venice. The 21st EACTA Meeting will be located at Venice-Mestre, on the coast facing the Venetian archipelago, connected with the historical centre (St. Mark square and Cathedral) by a 6 km bridge. From the Hotel hosting the Meeting, the historical centre can be easily reached by boat, train, bus, car, bicycle or, most fascinating, by taxi boat directly from the Congress location. From the scientific point of view, we have tried to design an attractive program, which includes 22 invited lectures, various symposia and interactive sessions, room available for more than 150 free oral or poster presentations, and the perioperative TOE examination. The industrial exhibition, together with some sponsored symposia will offer you an update view on what is new in cardiothoracic anaesthesia. An adequate social program has been planned, and you can trust that to this respect Venice offers only the embarrassment of choice. We do hope that you will come to Venice to enjoy this scientific meeting and spend a good time in this wonderful city. Welcome in Venice Marco Ranucci Chairman EACTA Venice 2006

Marco Ranucci