Last Thursday, December 12, over 250 ACS researchers gathered to attend the 10th Annual ACS Symposium at the Felix Meritis on the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam. Ten years ago, this annual meeting started in the Oosterkerk in Amsterdam and for the past few years, it has been held in the historic Felix Meritis building. ACS members from various research programs, departments, and disciplines were given the opportunity to exchange their latest findings in the field of cardiovascular research.

Program

The program for the day was organized by Young ACS. This year's program featured a diverse mix of clinical and preclinical research. The morning began with a clinical keynote talk by Dr. Ronak Delewi (Amsterdam UMC) on transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The morning session concluded with a basic science keynote talk by Prof. Dr. Ir. Jeroen Bakkers (Hubrecht Institute) on cardiac regeneration. Based on submitted abstracts, eight ACS researchers were invited to give an oral presentation, and ten ACS researchers were selected for pitch presentations in the concert hall of Felix Meritis. During the poster sessions in the morning and afternoon, other abstract submitters had the chance to present their work to all attendees. Between sessions, there was an opportunity to network, socialize, and enjoy a good cup of coffee or tea and some food.

Oral session in the concert hall
Oral session in the concert hall
Poster session
Poster session

After lunch, ACS directors Menno de Winther and Ronak Delewi gave a presentation on the past and future of ACS. The new organization of ACS programs and innovations for 2025 were presented for the first time. In addition, the new ACS Work Visit grants were introduced. More information on these plans and grants can be found on the website soon!

Before the last coffee and tea break, Prof. Dr. Bert-Jan van den Born presented the start of the third HELIUS round and its significance for ACS. The afternoon concluded with a valorization session highlighting the importance of research valorization. The valorization keynote was given by Henk Marquering, who shared an inspiring story about the societal impact of his research on strokes and the start-up of three different companies.

The day was concluded with an award ceremony. There were prizes for best publications, best oral presentation and best pitch presentation (the prize winners are listed below). For the first time during an ACS symposium, the results of the Out of the Box Grants 2024 were announced. Please visit this new item to read all about the Out of the Box Grants and winners of 2024. 

ACS presentation by Ronak Delewi
ACS presentation by Ronak Delewi

Reception
Reception

Awards

Five prizes were awarded during the 10th Annual ACS Symposium:

Best publication 2024
Edgar E. Nollet, Inez Duursma, Anastasiya Rozenbaum, Moritz Eggelbusch, Rob C. I. Wüst, Stephan A. C. Schoonvelde, Michelle Michels, Mark Jansen, Nicole N. van der Wel, Kenneth C. Bedi Jr., Kenneth B. Margulies, Jeff Nirschl, Diederik W. D. Kuster, Jolanda van der Velden
Title: Mitochondrial dysfunction in human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is linked to cardiomyocyte architecture disruption and corrected by improving NADH-driven mitochondrial respiration >Read the article here<

Edgar Nollet receiving the award for best publication
Edgar Nollet receiving the award for best publication

Best Oral Presentations
Best Oral Presentations
Best Oral Presentations

Carolina Jansen
“Left Atrioventricular Coupling Index as a Novel Non-Invasive Marker for Detection of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction”

Molly O’Reilly
“Redefining CPVT: a neurocardiac disorder”

Best Pitch Presentations
Best Pitch Presentations

Best Pitch Presentations

Daan Bosshardt
“Aortic Motion Derived from CMR as Potential New Marker for Aortic Disease Severity in Marfan Syndrome”

Barbara Verhaar
“Plasma metabolite profiles and blood pressure in the HELIUS study: the role of formylmethionine”

We are grateful to all the presenters and would like to give special thanks to the organizing committee: Annette Neele, Anke Tijsen, Malou van den Boogaard, and Vincent Jongkind.

We are already looking forward to next year's symposium!

All the pictures that are made by Joyce van Doorn during the symposium can be dowloaded here. Please be aware of the copyright laws