• Medical_Professionals
• Medical_students
• Nurses

Of the 2017 perfusion conferences available, why choose CREF? First and foremost, CREF 2017 offers comprehensive, quality education for every member of the cardiac team. Since 1981, the Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium has been meeting the continuing-education needs of CCPs, MDs, PA-Cs, RNs, and biomedical professionals whose work relates to cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass.

Continuing-Education Credits

Focusing on the interdisciplinary aspect of quality healthcare, CREF 2017 offers Category 1 CME and CEU credits for the entire surgical team: perfusionists learn alongside nurses, surgeons, physician assistants, and anesthesiologists, and everyone leaves with a greater understanding and appreciation of the collaborative effort required to provide the best healthcare possible.

Audience Profile

CREF also attracts an incredibly diverse international audience of cardiac healthcare professionals. At the 2016 conference, attendees traveled from more than 20 countries to attend the meeting, and we enjoyed a mix of perfusionists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, physician assistants, and biomedical professionals.

This annual continuing medical education conference focuses on the science, techniques, and technologies of cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal perfusion. Among 2017 perfusion conferences, CREF offers a scientific agenda you simply won’t find anywhere else: in-depth presentations by leading experts in the field, hands-on training workshops, open “fireside” discussions with faculty moderators, panel and case discussions, and industry-sponsored Product Theaters on topics related to cardiovascular surgery and extra-corporeal perfusion. CREF offers an impressive exhibit show that features the newest, hottest equipment and technology available on the market today.

CREF 2017 Perfusion Conference Highlights

Still wondering what sets CREF apart from other 2017 perfusion conferences? Here are a few important details:

Internationally renowned faculty, speaking on topics relevant to your current and future practice

High CME and CEU totals, all for one low registration fee

Fun and educational eat-and-learn Product Theaters hosted by leading industry sponsors

A three-day exhibit show, featuring the latest products from industry leaders

Dynamic, hands-on workshops to meet a wide range of educational needs

An wide array of social activities for everyone to enjoy

Over the years, the Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium has continually adapted to meet the changing needs of the profession, but one thing remains the same: unlike other 2017 perfusion conferences, the CREF meeting’s sole purpose is to offer you the best continuing education you can find anywhere, at a reasonable cost, with the maximum number of CEUs needed to recertify, in a beautiful location that offers plenty to do in your free time.

M. Filip De Somer PhD ECCP

Belgian Filip De Somer is a practicing perfusionist at the Heart Centre, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium, where he also is actively involved in research related to cardiac surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, and extracorporeal perfusion. 

CREF Speakers Del Nido

FEATURED SPEAKER

Pedro J. del Nido MD

Chilean-born Dr. Pedro del Nido is a pediatric cardiac surgeon who serves as Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Boston Children's Hospital. He received his MD from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years.

CREF Speakers Dickinson

SPEAKER

Timothy A. Dickinson MS CCP

Perfusionist Tim Dickinson is the Director of Perfusion Services at Mayo Clinic Rochester and the former Director of Clinical Performance Improvement at SpecialtyCare. His research interests include evidence-based medicine, clinical registries, and outcomes research.

CREF Speakers Grace

FEATURED SPEAKER

Kevin A. Grace BS CCP

Kevin Grace, senior staff perfusionist at Massachusetts General Hospital, knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of the scalpel. Listen to his inspiring heart-transplant story, which kicks off the CREF general session on Thursday afternoon.

CREF Speakers Gunaydin

SPEAKER & PC MEMBER

Serdar Gunaydin MD PhD

Turkish cardiac surgeon Dr. Serdar Gunaydin serves as Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, at the University of Kirikkale in Ankara, Turkey. He is also a member of the Steering Committee for MiECTiS.

CREF Speakers Kramer

SPEAKER & PC MEMBER

Robert S. Kramer MD FACS

Cardiac surgeon Dr. Bob Kramer is a CREF Program Committee member, helping select speakers for the scientific agenda. At Maine Medical Center, he actively participates in the Northern New England Cardiovascular Disease Study Group.

Your CREF registration includes conference materials, meals, 37th Annual Celebration and Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday evening, coffee breaks each day, and admission to each industry-sponsored eat-and-learn Product Theater, which will be held throughout the meeting. All registered regular attendees will receive CME or CEU credit, or both, equal to the number of hours they attend.

To obtain continuing-education credit, attendees must:

Show photo identification when they check in at the registration desk

Sign in once each day

To receive the latest news about the 2017 CREF meeting in beautiful downtown San Diego, California, including information about CREF conference registration, program, exhibits, or extracurricular meeting activities, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or sign up for our newsletter using the sidebar form on this page.

How to Register for CREF: 4 Easy Steps

Safely and conveniently register for CREF online:

Click the “Register Now” sidebar button or this registration link, which will redirect you to the CREF 2017 registration portal.

Once there, enter an email and password to begin the registration process, and then provide all necessary information.

To complete your registration, pay by American Express, MasterCard, Visa, or check. To pay by check, simply mark the “check” box on the payment page, and then complete your registration. You may mail your check afterward.

After completing your CREF registration, you will receive a confirmation by email. Later, if you need to print, modify, or check your registration for any reason, simply log in at any time using your email address and account password.

USD

Group registrations not allowed

Accompanying persons not allowed

We don’t accept Online Abstracts

Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is the official 2017 CREF hotel. Ideally located in the heart of downtown San Diego's historic, vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, the Westin Gaslamp offers an unparalleled San Diego experience, with every imaginable amenity, discounted CREF hotel room rates for all attendees, and proximity to the best of the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter: premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural activities.

The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter's striking bay and cityscape views provide a dramatic, awe-inspiring natural backdrop to your San Diego experience. The hotel's 450 guest rooms and suites, all recently remodeled to inspire a sense of serenity and balance, offer a sanctuary of soothing color palettes, natural wood and stone accents, and sophisticated, contemporary décor.

Enjoy the features the Westin has become known for worldwide: Heavenly Bed®, flat-screen TV, and spa-inspired bath amenities. Leave your CREF hotel feeling rested, energized, and renewed.

CREF Hotel Reservation Details

Cutoff Date and Room Rate

The cutoff date for the reduced CREF hotel group rate of $209 single or double is Wednesday, September 6, at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

Facility Charge

A daily facility Charge of $20.00 per room, per night (plus tax) includes the following amenities:

High Speed Internet Access (Up to 10mb/s) in guest room and the lobby

Local and domestic long distance phone calls

Daily $10 Food & Beverage voucher (excludes alcohol: any one of our Venues: Pinzimini, Ingredients & In Room Dining)

1-hour usage of Tangent office space and amenities, based upon availability

Check-In and Check-Out Times

Check-in time is 3:00 PM; checkout time is 12:00 PM. All guests arriving before 3:00 PM will be accommodated as rooms become available.

Submission Info

The CREF abstract guidelines and submission form are included below. The CREF 2017 Program Committee invites participants to submit abstracts for presentation. Accepted abstracts will be presented as either (1) oral with optional poster presentation or (2) poster presentation only.

The abstract deadline is August 1, 2017. 

Oral Presentations: Superior abstracts, chosen by the Program Committee, will be presented orally as bullet abstracts. Complete instructions (including presentation details, electronic poster details, set-up times, etc.) will be provided after acceptance notification.

Poster Presentations: All accepted abstracts will be displayed as posters throughout the meeting and presented during the Thursday-morning break. Complete instructions will be provided after acceptance notification.

Medtronic 18th Annual Utley Award

All abstracts submitted for the 2017 CREF meeting will be considered for the Medtronic 18th Annual Utley Award, named in honor of Joe R. Utley MD, Founder and Director of the Cardiothoracic Research and Education Foundation (CREF).

The Medtronic 18th Annual Utley Award recognizes excellence in scientific research and presentation and is awarded for the best oral abstract presented.

How to Submit Your Abstract

To submit an abstract for the 2017 CREF Meeting, carefully follow the guidelines below.

All abstracts must include the following information:

Name and degree(s) of all authors, with presenting author’s name listed in upper case.

Brief title of the abstract, including the nature of the study only (no abbreviations, please).

CREF 2016 Utley Award for best abstract presented at the 36th Annual Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium in Long Beach, California.

Medtronic 17th Utley Award Winner Sudharsan Madhavan and Denise Steinbring, Medtronic

In the abstract text, include the following information:

A concise statement of the investigation’s purpose

A brief explanation of the study’s materials and methods

A summary of the study’s results

Conclusions supported by the investigation’s results

If you have references or graphics, email them as separate attachments to the following address: info@crefmeeting.com. Your abstract should not exceed 500 words.

Abstract Deadline

The abstract deadline is August 1, 2017. Submit your abstract now for early consideration and an opportunity to present in the plenary session. All abstract submissions must follow the CREF abstract guidelines and include completed disclosure information at the bottom of this page.

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your abstract. If you do not, please email us or phone 1-805-541-3118. The Program Committee members will review your abstract, and you will be notified of their decision well in advance of the meeting. If accepted for presentation or display, your abstract will be printed in the course syllabus as submitted, so please edit and proofread carefully.

If you have any questions about the above CREF abstract guidelines, please contact CREF.

Abstract submission deadline 2017-08-01

Since 1980, active industry participation has proven vital to the overall CREF experience. Attendees view CREF exhibits to learn about state-of-the-art devices, services, and pharmaceutical advances that enable them to provide optimal patient care. Industry leaders enjoy opportunities for meaningful face-to-face interaction, sharing new products and meeting new clients, ensuring a high return on investment.

Exhibits

Each year, CREF exhibits attract attendees from across the globe at the Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium. For thirty-six years, CREF has been meeting the specific educational needs of perfusionists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac physician assistants, cardiac nurses, and other healthcare professionals interested in the science and techniques of perfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This annual CME and CEU symposium offers a perfect opportunity for industry to exhibit cardiovascular products featuring the latest technologies.

Product Theaters

CREF 2017 also offers companies numerous opportunities in addition to exhibiting: industry-sponsored Product Theaters (PTs) give vendors a unique opportunity to reach CREF attendees in new and creative ways by presenting specific information about their products or services. Companies interested in hosting Product Theaters are not required to exhibit at the CREF meeting in order to sponsor a Product Theater. However, exhibitors enjoy first preference on PT time slots. Contact CREF to receive the 2017 Exhibitor & Sponsorship Prospectus, which contains complete details about the opportunities described above.

CREF 2017 provides an environment for biomedical professionals, research and development specialists, and healthcare providers to share and focus their vision for the future of cardiac care. We encourage industry to send management and other high-level representatives; they are included in all educational and recreational activities.

The exhibit fee includes conference registration and invitations to social events for all exhibit reps.

Exhibitor & Sponsorship Prospectus

CREF Exhibits | Prospectus and Exhibit Contract  Industry Support OpportunitiesThe CREF 2017 Exhibitor & Sponsorship Prospectus includes details about booth/island dimensions and cost, exhibit installation dates and times, dedicated exhibit schedule, CREF attendee profile, exhibitor perks, and more. It also lists many additional support opportunities, including Product Theaters and sponsorship options.

A limited number of CREF exhibit booths is available, so email CREF Exhibits today to receive the CREF 2017 Exhibitor & Sponsorship Prospectus.

Contact Information

For information about CREF exhibits or about participating as a Product Theater sponsor, contact CREF today.

 CREF

Phone: 805-541-3118

Email: info@crefmeeting.com