12th International Symposium

Chicago, Illinois

Main Target
For several decades adenosine has been known to have receptor-mediated cardioprotective properties. There are 4 known adenosine receptor subtypes and there is convincing evidence supporting each of them as having potent protective properties in the ischemic heart. That is surprising as these receptors are quite diverse. A2a and A2b receptors couple to Gs proteins while A1 and A3 receptors are Gi-coupled. The answer seems to revolve around each of these receptors targeting a component in the complex sequence of events resulting in ischemic cell death. Some of these receptors are thought to activate steps in ischemic preconditioning’s protective mechanism. An august group of experts will try to shed light on these seemingly divergent mechanisms and show how they might be translated into clinical practice.

11th International Symposium

Dallas, Texas

Main Target
Nitric oxide has been found to be a key second messenger in many signaling systems in the body. Ischemic preconditioning is no exception. The nitric oxide-PKG cascade has been found to couple bradykinin and opioid receptors to the mitochondrial KATP channel. More interestingly, activators of PKG have been found to be very protective when administered to the ischemic heart just prior to reperfusion. Natriuretic peptides, which activate PKG through particulate guanylyl cyclase, appear to be an ideal way to target the heart with a parenteral drug and several clinical trials are already underway. This symposium will examine the current state of knowledge in this exciting field.

10th International Symposium

New Orleans, Louisiana

Main Target
Although a large number of agents have been identified that can limit infarction when given as pretreatment, they have had little clinical impact because pretreatment is not an option in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. Recently, a growing number of interventions have been identified which result in salvage of myocardium when given at reperfusion. Such agents have the potential to preserve myocardium in the setting of reperfusion therapy. This symposium will examine some of those interventions and what is known about their mechanism of action. Our distinguished faculty will present the current thinking in this field from the perspective of the basic scientist, the clinician and the pharmaceutical industry.

9th International Symposium

Orlando, Florida

Main Target
This year’s symposium will focus on the role of the mitochondria in ischemia. Mitochondria appear to play a central role in the ischemic myocyte. ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the inner mitochondrial membrane are thought to be involved in ischemic preconditioning, but their exact role remains uncertain. Even their very existence has recently been thrown into question. Others propose that the channels serve a signaling role. Suppression of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore has received recent attention as the possible mechanism of ischemic preconditioning, as has suppression of cytochrome-C triggered apoptosis. All of these issues will be discussed and debated at this symposium.

8th International Symposium

Chicago, Illinois

Main Target
The cardioprotection due to ischemic preconditioning illustrates the powerful cardiovascular action of adenosine. Many basic as well as clinical cardiovascular studies reveal that adenosine protects myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, despite a large body of accumulated published literature probing adenosine’s fundamental mechanism it is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this conference is to bring together the top investigators in the field of drug-induced cardioprotection and review the latest developments. The overall goal is to promote research in this interesting subject so that in the near future adenosine’s cardioprotection can become a clinical reality.

7th International Symposium

New Orleans, Louisiana

Main Target
There is substantial experimental evidence that the purine nucleoside adenosine modulates myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Although the agent has been implicated as one of the mediators of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), the mechanism by which IPC exerts its beneficial effects is controversial. The aim of this symposium is to provide a forum for discussing the latest scientific and clinical developments regarding the role, if any, of MAP kinases in the early and late phases of preconditioning.

6th International Symposium

Atlanta, Georgia

Main Target
There is substantial experimental evidence that the purine nucleoside adenosine modulates myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Although the agent has been implicated as one of the mediators of ischemic preconditioning the mechanism by which adenosine exerts its beneficial effects is controversial. The aim of this symposium is to provide a forum for discussing the latest scientific and clinical developments regarding adenosine receptors, KATP Channels and their cardioprotective effects.

5th International Symposium

Dallas, Texas

Main Target
There is substantial experimental evidence that the purine nucleoside adenosine modulates myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Although the agent has been implicated as one of the mediators of ischemic preconditioning the mechanism by which adenosine exerts its beneficial effects is controversial. The aim of this symposium is to provide a forum for discussing the latest scientific and clinical developments regarding adenosine receptors, their cardiovascular actions and myocardial protection.

4th International Symposium

Orlando, Florida

Main Target
There is substantial experimental evidence that the purine nucleoside adenosine modulates myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Although the agent has been implicated as one of the mediators of ischemic preconditioning the mechanism by which adenosine exerts its beneficial effects is controversial. The aim of this symposium is to provide a forum for discussing the latest scientific and clinical developments regarding cellular mechanisms involving adenosine, heat shock proteins, nitric oxide, antioxidants and myocardial protection.

3rd International Symposium

New Orleans, Louisiana

Main Target
There is substantial experimental evidence that the purine nucleoside adenosine modulates myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Despite adenosine’s acknowledged cardioprotective effect, there is no consensus on the mechanism by which adenosine exerts its beneficial effects. The aim of this symposium is to provide a forum for discussing the latest scientific and clinical developments regarding cellular mechanisms involving adenosine, KATP channels, apoptosis and myocardial protection.

2nd International Symposium

Long Beach, California

Main Target
Adenosine may play an important role in preventing reversible post ischemic myocardial dysfunction (stunning) and limiting myocardial infarct size. It is an attractive agent for preventing and treating myocardial injury since its effect on cardiac function occurs both during ischemia and reperfusion. The aim of this symposium is to provide a forum for discussing the latest developments regarding the cellular mechanisms underlying the salutary effects of adenosine and the clinical evidence that supports clinical utility.

1st International Symposium

Dallas, Texas

Main Target
There is substantial experimental evidence that the purine nucleoside adenosine modulates myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Despite adenosine’s acknowledged cardioprotective effect, there is no consensus on the mechanism by which adenosine exerts its beneficial effects. The aim of this symposium is to provide a forum for the open discussion of issues pertaining to adenosine’s cardioprotective effect and the clinical applicability of adenosine and adenosine-regulating agents in the treatment of ischemic heart disease.