First Pan-African Cardiothoracic Surgery (PACaTS) Summit

To apply advanced imaging in guiding surgical decision-making To learn and familiarize with strategies and approaches for managing cardiovascular emergencies from the neonate to the adolescent and adult age. To learn and familiarize with strategies and approaches for managing cardiovascular emergencies from the neonate to adolescent and adult age. To learn surgical procedures and perfusion techniques in neonates and infants. To learn techniques of thoracic aortic and cardiac valve repair and replacement for congenital and acquire cardiovascular pathologies. To learn techniques for endoscopic thoracic surgery mediastinal and pulmonary diseases. To learn and experience interventional cardiac surgery procedures: valve repair and replacement for congenital heart disease, coronary revascularisation strategies: coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary interventions. To learn how to manage chest traumas and associated cardiovascular injuries. To learn about microvascular approach for managing actue and chronic cerebral and peripheral malperfusion. To learn imaging techniques and surgical approaches for cardio-pulmonary and mediastinal diseases (oncology) and standard therapies. To apply advanced imaging in guiding surgical decision-making. To applying risk prediction models for clinical decisions, treatment strategies in congenital and acquired heart surgery for better outcomes. To learn the basics in generative artificial intelligence and its application in cardiovascular healthcare for better outcomes.

The following points are incentives for promoting high-level cardiovascular health political reforms in Africa and global south. 1. Motivate healthcare decision makers to achieve the unmet goal of 15% health expenditure in order to develop community-based and national health insurance systems that will allow universal healthcare and access to cardiovascular healthcare, 2. Promote regular seminars on leadership and governance in collaboration with professional organizations and institutions to strengthen healthcare efficiency in non-communicable diseases (NCD), 3. To promote sustainable upskilling cardiovascular surgery capacity of the existing regional heart centres to enable high-quality, comprehensive and resilient cardiovascular health services in the context of south-south triangular cooperation. 4. To incentivize the concept of cost saving supply chains such as consortium system of joint purchasing to enable low-cost high-volume interventional and open cardiothoracic and vascular surgery that will be affordable to many patients. 5. Promote the private sector to invest more in the healthcare delivery system and develop commercial health insurance schemes. 6. Provide a platform for learning the basics in generative artificial intelligence in healthcare in particular cardiovascular medicine. 7. The global experts will share values of AI in health systems and innovative cardiovascular medicine that will systematically balance digital divide and improve outcomes in healthcare.

Provide a platform for networking and sharing knowledge. Empowering young generation clinical and academic cardiothoracic and vascular physicians to unfold their potential for innovation to improve healthcare in their fields. Practice evidence-based cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. Apply current standard techniques and procedures for better outcomes of patients. Charting for competence, sustainability and resilience in the practice of cardiothoracic and vascular medicine and surgery in the global south esp. in Africa

1. Meet legends and experts in cardiac surgery and cardiothoracic and vascular experts discussing cutting-edge techniques and standards of care in three-day debate sessions. 2. Experience master class scientific presentations on the management of structural heart disease (patients with congenital and acquired cardiothoracic and vascular diseases). 3. To meet colleagues and the faculty during networking breaks, lunches, and the saturday Accra night social event.

To promote training, continuing education for prevention, treatment and recovery of congenital and acquired cardiovascular and thoracic, diseases including rheumatic and ischemic heart diseases. To build a bridge for young talented generation physicians and nurses and allied professionals for unfolding their potential to advance in their professions and to achieve their goals. The summit will unite communities of African and global cardiothoracic and vascular professionals, experts, and researchers, offering an opportunity to share comprehensive in-person cutting-edge therapies. To forge fellowship programs in the context of south-south cooperation at African heart centres of excellence for clinical practices in cardiology, cardiac surgery, cardiovascular nursing and perfusion for developing efficient and and sustainable programs at sub-regional centres. The forum serves as a wake-up call to the healthcare authorities in the LMICs. Sub-regional centres of excellence as a collective investment for individual national development in the context of south-south triangular development cooperation would be a great achievement of the century.

Education Travel Grant to Boost Your Career We are thrilled to announce an Education Travel Grant, which aims to support cardiothoracic and vascular professionals in the early stages of their careers, encouraging equitable representation and inclusivity in the field. This prestigious grant offers the opportunity to abstract presenters to enhance their professional skills, build valuable connections, and gain insights from experts. Don't miss out on this exciting chance to take your career to the next level. Apply now and join us for a truly enriching experience at the upcoming Pan-African Cardiothoracic Surgery summit on 22-24th February 2025 at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana.