The EAPCI annual general assembly took place during the 2024 edition of EuroPCR in Paris. EuroPCR is the official course of the EAPCI and continues to expand year on year, with 12,100 participants in 2024. The general assembly is an opportunity for EAPCI members to meet and discuss the activities undertaken by the association over the previous year.
New membership
2022-2024 President Emanuele Barbato highlighted the changes in the membership structures which have occurred over the past 12 months. Over 1,000 EAPCI members have joined the new membership programme since its launch at PCR London Valves in November 2023. This was above the projected membership levels following the introduction of the new membership, and 25% of members had not been EAPCI members under the old membership scheme. Poland and Italy lead the way in terms of numbers of EAPCI members; however, other countries are well represented, with fellows and members under the age of 40 comprising a significant percentage of all members.
EAPCI activities
EAPCI Pillar Chairs and their representatives reported the work of the committees over the past year. Congress Pillar Chair Marek Grygier highlighted the ongoing cooperation between EAPCI and other international societies with successful joint sessions in both EAPCI National Society meetings as well as with China and Africa, with ongoing interest in further sessions worldwide. On a similar theme, Fina Mauri, Membership Pillar Chair, emphasised the ongoing cooperation of the Young Committee with national societies to organise dedicated sessions within national congresses. The Nurses and Allied Health Professionals (NAPs) Committee have successfully developed and launched their new curriculum to aid the professional development of NAPs, whilst the International Affairs Committee continue to provide a key link between the EAPCI and national societies. The extensive work of the Scientific Documents and Initiatives Committee − developing new standard operating procedures which have now also been adopted by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) for all ESC documents − was highlighted by Jozef Bartunek, Research Pillar Chair. The successful launch of the EAPCI Journal Club webinar series along with the work of the Research, Digital and Innovation Committee were also discussed. Within the EAPCI Education Pillar, the Fellowship Grants Committee have been particularly successful in obtaining grants for fellows in training, and the Training and Certification Committee have finalised the EAPCI Core Curriculum in Structural Heart Disease. From the EAPCI Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs Pillar, the development of the returning to work mentorship programme by the Gender and Disparities Committee as well as the development of patient information videos by the Patient Advocacy Committee were highlighted by Valeria Paradies. Finally, the Quality Improvement Committee have developed standard guidance for cath labs receiving EAPCI fellows.
EAPCI elections
EAPCI Past President Dariusz Dudek announced the results of the 2024-2026 Election, with Professor Martine Gilard becoming the new President Elect, Dejan Milasinovic the Treasurer, and Flavio Ribichini the Secretary. For the first time, the PCR representatives, Salvatore Brugaletta and Maciej Lesiak, along with the 2024-2026 Nominating Committee: Andreas Baumbach, Carlo di Mario, Michael Haude, Anna Sonia Petronio, Patrick W. Serruys, and William Wijns, were elected by the EAPCI membership.
Finally, 2024-2026 President Alaide Chieffo presented her vision for the new term.
