1. A campaign started with the support of the European Heart Rhythm Association to reduce the impact of sudden cardiac death. "Beat It!" aims to cut the incidence of SCD by public education and the greater availability of portable electronic defibrillators able to diagnose and treat the potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. The "Beat It!" campaign has already seen visible results in the congress's host city of Berlin, where portable defibrillators have been placed in shopping malls, theatres, and underground stations - as part of a joint initiative of the German Atrial Fibrillation Network (AFNET) and EHRA. In support of the "Beat It!" campaign, the mayor of Berlin will address the congress on the opening day (Sunday 21 June).
   
   
2. The current status of electrophysiology in Europe and what steps are needed to improve the quality of care with a more uniform treatment of arrhythmias and better prevention of sudden cardiac death.
   
   
3. This year's congress will pay attention to the incidence - and risk - of cardiac arrhythmias in athletes. A scientific session will consider the implications of an abnormal ECG in an athlete, and the requirement for screening to avoid sudden cardiac death. The prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in the athlete's heat will be reviewed. A debate later in the programme will ask if ECG screening in the athlete makes sense.
   
   
4. As at the ESC Congress, EUROPACE 2009 will feature a Hot Line session (Tuesday 23 June) devoted to late-breaking news from clinical trials. The ESC's Hot Line sessions are renowned for making strong stories in medical news, and Hot Line information at EUROPACE 2009 will feature in the press conference.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC):
The ESC represents nearly 53,000 cardiology professionals across Europe and the Mediterranean. Its mission is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe.

The ESC achieves this through a variety of scientific and educational activities including the coordination of: clinical practice guidelines, education courses and initiatives, pan-European surveys on specific disease areas and the ESC Annual Congress, the largest medical meeting in Europe. The ESC also works closely with the European Commission and WHO to improve health policy in the EU.

The ESC comprises 3 Councils, 5 Associations, 19 Working Groups, 50 National Cardiac Societies and an ESC Fellowship Community (Fellow, FESC; Nurse Fellow, NFESC). For more information on ESC Initiatives, Congresses and Constituent Bodies see www.escardio.org.

European Society of Cardiology, The European Heart House 2035 Route des Colles, B.P. 179 - Les Templiers, Sophia Antipolis F-06903 France

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