On behalf of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology (EACTA) and the Local Organising Committee we cordially invite you to attend the EACTA Annual Congress 2017 from 19th to 21th of April 2017 in Berlin, Germany.

As the field of cardiovascular medicine is rapidly evolving, our profession is continuously challenged - not only by the progress in cardiac surgical techniques but also by the increasing demands of interventional cardiology and cardiothoracic intensive care medicine.

In line with these developments, Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology has become even more attractive, but also more demanding: we are no longer recognized solely as anesthesia providers, but as members of a team of dedicated specialists involved in the comprehensive periprocedural surgical as well as interventional treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease.

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Cardiothoracic Care (C4) will thus be the thematic background of the 32nd Annual EACTA Congress in Berlin. Lectures, workshops, problem-based learning discussions, and meet-the-expert sessions will cover all aspects from pre-procedural decision making and optimization to intra-procedural management and post-procedural care as well. However, beyond the thematic sessions presented by a faculty of internationally renowned speakers there will be ample time to discuss the results of recent scientific work during oral or poster presentations, to meet and talk with experts in the fields of cardiac, thoracic and vascular anaesthesia and critical care medicine, and of course to meet colleagues and friends from all over the world.

In addition, Berlin itself is always worth a visit. Apart from the historical sites of the German capital and the still visible signs of a city (and a country) that was split by the Wall not so long ago, there are only a few European cities that offer a comparably broad range of museums, exhibitions, theatres, and multiple varieties of entertainment. These experiences beyond science are facilitated by the Congress venue being located within a walking distance to the “Kulturforum Berlin”.

We warmly welcome all of you to the EACTA Annual Congress and hope to meet you in Berlin in April 2017.