DGAF annual conference - since 2019 as part of VMAC

Since 2019 our annual conference has been taking place as part of the Vascular Medicine and Atherosclerosis Congress - VMAC.

The idea of the presidents of DGAF and D • A • CH society for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases e. V. joined the German Society for Combating Lipid Metabolism Disorders and their secondary diseases DGFF (Lipid League) e. V on. In cooperation with SAW Tagungsmanagement, the joint congress of the three leading societies in Germany that deal with atherosclerosis and its secondary diseases was created: DACH, DGAF and DGFF.

Meanwhile, the Working group atherosclerosis in the clinic (AG 41) the DGK used the VMAC as a platform for a status symposium.

All further information can be found under www.VMAC-2024.de  .

Report:

Vascular Medicine and Atherosclerosis Congress (VMAC) 2023

Mannheim in focus

In 2023, the conference venue of Mannheim is clearly at the center of cardiovascular medicine and research in Germany. Following the congress of the German Society of Cardiology, which takes place here every year in the week after Easter, the annual congress of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) was also held in Mannheim from May 21-24. This was a good reason to hold the Vascular Medicine and Atherosclerosis Congress (VMAC) 2023 - the joint congress of DACH, DGFF and DGAF - as a satellite congress in the run-up to EAS from May 20-21, also in Mannheim.

Back in presence

After the time of online congresses and hybrid events, everyone was happy about a return to face-to-face events, with personal contacts for possible collaborations or just for small talk. Anyway, a discussion directly after a talk or at the poster is much more effective than online alone in the office with a bad camera and tinny sound. VMAC was a bit smaller than usual due to the date on the weekend directly before EAS as well as Ascension Day with popular bridge day option directly before. Next year our congress will again take place at the end of the week as usual; when and where is still open and will be announced here in due time.

History

The VMAC, as a joint congress of the 3 professional associations, now took place for the fourth time. After the premiere in 2019 near Mainz and the Corona-related cancellation in 2020, in the last two years online, respectively as a hybrid event in Augsburg. The meeting of the DGAF already took place for the 27th time. Again and again one hears anecdotes from participants of the first hour about the first congress location Blaubeuren at the Blautopf. Afterwards many years in the proximity of Marburg and Gießen in the castle Rauischholzhausen. Many congress participants were able to spend the night in rustic rooms directly in the castle, with creaking floorboards and a toilet across the hall. A few years ago, in the best spring weather, the posters were taken outside and the poster session took place in the castle courtyard against the backdrop of the castle and with a view of the impressive garden. In the past, it has always been possible - often through personal contacts - to secure top-class scientists as speakers for the Keynote Lecture, e.g. Peter Libby or Filip Swirski from Harvard Medical School.

VMAC 2023

The VMAC 2023 was held in a somewhat reduced scope but according to the proven concept in the Radisson Blue Hotel Mannheim. It started on Sat., May 20 with the career workshop, the general meeting and the official opening by the presidents of the professional societies. Then it continued with the keynote speaker Thimoteus Speer from Frankfurt on the topic "Inflammation and Lipid Metabolism". After finger food and the opportunity to inform oneself about the latest products at industry booths, a varied program followed, ranging from the presentation of clinical studies and panel discussions to company presentations and the presentation of basic experimental models. The first day of the congress was concluded with poster presentations in a total of 3 sessions, with the usual high proportion of presentations from the ranks of the DGAF. After the congress, a congress dinner was held at the Bootshaus restaurant, beautifully located on the Neckar River, with lively participation. The next morning, the congress continued with the Young Investigator Session and updates on the therapy of familial hypercholesteremia. Traditionally, at the end of the congress, joint award ceremonies of the professional societies took place; this year enriched by the presence of Peter Libby. In this context, Prof. Gerd Assmann was honored for his life's work. All 2023 award winners are listed below:

Afterwards, the shortened VMAC 2023 was concluded with a joint closing speech by the presidents. Afterwards, there was a small refreshment and the opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues over coffee. For many, it was then straight on to the EAS, only 500 m away on foot in the Congress Center Rosengarten. See you next year at VMAC!