This annual international meeting of many of the world leaders in Intensive Care Medicine was held at the Brussels Exhibition and Convention Center during March 27-30, 2007. As usual, the Department of CCM was well represented with our faculty presenting many lectures and chairing conferences. We had the most invited faculty represented in this prestigious program, underscoring the profound commitment we have to critical care research. What follows is a listing of their lectures and other academic activities associated with this international symposium.

Department Chairman, Mitchell Fink participated in the pre-meeting Round Table Research Conference entitled Metabolic Support in Sepsis and MOF and then presented five lectures entitled “Addition of ethyl pyruvate,” “Novel mitochondrial anti-oxidants,” “Role of HMGB1 in sepsis,” “Role of epithelial cells,” and “TLR4: Not just a receptor for Endotoxin” all in sessions focusing on sepsis and multiple organ failure. He also co-chaired the sessions “What is new in the world of mediators” and “ALI: Epidemiology and outcomes.”

Michael R. Pinsky, Director of the Cardiopulmonary Research Laboratory, was a member of the Symposium’s Scientific Advisory Committee and presented five lectures entitled “Metabolic markers of circulatory failure,” “How PEEP influences the circulation,” “Determinants of stroke volume and pulse pressure,” “Cardiac resynchronization to reverse heart failure,” and “Functional hemodynamic monitoring.” He also chaired one of the six poster review sessions, served on the jury for poster awards, and co-chaired the session “Prolonged inflammation and immunesuppression.”

John Kellum, Co-Director of the MANTRA Laboratories, presented four lectures entitled “Cytokine response patterns,” “The tissue consequences of metabolic acidosis,” “Antibiotic dosage in kidney failure and CRRT,” and “Coagulation markers and prediction of outcome from severe sepsis.” He also co-chaired the session entitled “ALI/ARDS New strategies.” 

Patrick Kochanek, Director of the Safar Center for Cerebral Resuscitation presented four lectures entitled “Blast-induced severe brain injury,” “Emergency induced hypothermia in CPR,” “Cerebral protection,” and “Early resuscitation in heart failure.” He also co-chaired the session “Severe brain injury.” 

Joseph Carcillo, Senior Pediatric Intensivist, presented four lectures entitled “Coagulation,” “Severe infections in children,” “Thrombocytopenia in sepsis,” “and “Sepsis-induced immune suppression.” He also co-chaired the session “Organ dysfunction in sepsis and multiple organ failure.”

Derek Angus, Vice Chairman for Research, now on sabbatical in Paris presented six lectures entitled “The influence of race and socio-economic status in sepsis and its outcome,” “Genetic factors in community-acquired pneumonia-still looking,” “Do we need trauma centers?” “Increasing demands for intensivists,” “Unresolved inflammation and long-term outcomes,” “Dealing with the family: the burden they experience," and “Long-term outcomes after intensive care.”  He also co-chaired the sessions “Quality and performance” and “Clinical trials.”