Inaugural Lung Disease Conference

Jan. 14, 2019

The Advanced Lung Disease: Novel Therapies and Controversies Conference delivered engaging state-of-the-art multidisciplinary lectures focused on the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs. On Dec. 7-8, 2018 over 200 attendees from around the country attended the inaugural conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston.

Course Directors Gabriel Loor, M.D. (Cardiothoracic Transplant and Circulatory Support), Amit D. Parulekar, M.D., MS (Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine), Co-directors Prasad Manian, M.B.B.S., M.D. (Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine) Ramsey Hachem, M.D. (Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis) and Kenneth McCurry, M.D. (Cleveland Clinic) organized the event.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Ramsey Hachem delivered the inaugural David J. Sugarbaker Keynote Address with a talk titled, “The Role of the Immune System in Lung Transplantation: Towards Improved Long-Term Results,” on Friday. On Saturday, attendees were treated to a lunch keynote “Safe Expansion of the Donor Pool and Recipient Indications: Lessons Learned from the Cleveland Clinic Experience,” by Dr. Kenneth McCurry.

Advanced lung diseases affects a large part of the population and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Novel therapies for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, Interstitial Lung Disease, pulmonary hypertension and adult congenital heart diseases have given patients a chance at a new and healthier life. Transplantation is a major part of the innovation for providing these patients a new lease on life, but there are many steps and considerations along the way that can add to quality life years. The conference was designed to share the latest advances affecting primary care and how to integrate these into one’s own practice.