A global congress in Gothenburg attracts leading scientists within cardiovascular disease

They will discuss recent advances in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

The EAS Congress has attracted 2,000 participants from all parts of the world, and several scientists from the Sahlgrenska Academy will take part. One of these is Olov Wiklund, senior professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy, who has taken part in drawing up the first European guidelines that deal specifically with the optimal treatment for elevated blood fat levels. These guidelines will be presented at the congress.

“Publishing the new guidelines is an important event that will affect many people – physicians, scientists and patients”, says Olov Wiklund.

In addition to presentations of research results, there will be opportunities for young and old colleagues to share experiences and provide feedback on each other’s research and work, in the form of daily round-table discussions. Young scientists will have the chance to meet some of the leading researchers in the field, informally and personally. Practical aspects of treatment and diagnosis will also be discussed in several sessions at the congress.

One of the younger scientists from the Sahlgrenska Academy is Fredrik Bäckhed, who will describe gut how bacteria can influence our metabolism and health. He will focus on how intestinal bacteria can influence the course of disease in metabolic-related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis.

“Since the intestinal flora in a person´s gut has 150 times the number of genes that the person has, our work is based on the hypothesis that changes in the intestinal flora can contribute to disease and health. We believe that we can find new diagnostic markers and treatment strategies for these metabolic diseases by altering the composition and/or function of the flora”, says Fredrik Bäckhed.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis arises when cholesterol becomes stuck in the walls of blood vessels in the body, forming so called plaque that eventually can obstruct the arteries, leading to several diseases such as angina, myocardial infarction and stroke. Diseases related to atherosclerosis cause 40 50% of deaths in Sweden.

Arranged by: The European Atherosclerosis Society in collaboration with the Institute of Medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.

Date: 26-29 June 2011
Location: The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, Gothenburg
The language of the congress is English and representatives for the media are welcome. Press conferences on hot topics such as new treatment methods (including the new guidelines for the treatment of elevated levels of blood fat), and the implications of recent research results for a healthy diet will be held daily. For more information contact: Camilla Pettersson, tel. +46 (0)31 342 6335, mobile +46 (0)73 9987 456, e-mail: camilla.pettersson@wlab.gu.se