World Heart Federation
Scientific and Standardization Committee
International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Council on Thrombosis
Minutes of the Meeting of the Council, Paris, 10 July 2001
Present: Mannucci (Chairman), Booth
(Secretary), Bachmann, Badimon, Conard, Francis, Lassila, White
Apologies: Gulba, Ikeda, Kyrle, Lüscher, Ostojic,
Verheugt
1. Welcome
The chair was taken initially by Booth and later by Mannucci. Igor
Bokarew, President of the Russian Haemostasis Society, who was attending
in order to gather information relevant to running a postgraduate training
course, was welcomed.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting in Washington , August 1999, were approved.
3. Report of Chairman
The current position of the council was summarised, most points being covered
by up-coming items on the agenda, in particular the election of new members
(item 3a), the activities of the training centres (item 4) and the planning
of postgraduate courses (item 6). Booth explained the background
to item 5 (Restructuring of WHF Councils), which was on the agenda because
of its deferral from the last meeting. Papers to provide information
on the proposals to the Council had been circulated with the agenda.
In fact, the idea of restructuring WHF Councils had apparently been shelved,
and there was no need for further discussion. Bachmann confirmed that
the current funding was 20,000 Swiss francs per council per year, which was
essential for our training work (see item 4).
3a. Election of new members
Badimon, a retiring member of Council, was thanked for her excellent contribution
to the work of the council, and the other retiring members, not present,
were also commended. It was proposed that the election of new members,
delayed from 2000, should take place as soon as possible. Nominations
were requested and further nominations would be solicited by White, as chair
of the nominating committee, after which Booth would circulate all members
and gather their votes. The new members would be considered as the
class of 2001.
4. TVTC programme
Fedor Bachmann reported on the TVTC scheme, tabling a detailed report and
details of current finances (attached to the minutes). He emphasised
that our remit was not to compete with American Heart and other national
programs. Rather, our aims are in line with those of the WHF, to give
assistance to developing countries where lack of money was a major constraint,
and to focus on low-cost inititiatives, for instance courses on rehabilitation
after MI.
The TVTC program is providing grants for 3 months direct training in recognised
centres. This has been very successful, participants often returning
to set up laboratories and other facilities in their country of origin.
It was noted that there was a pressing need for equipment and anyone with
aggregometers, centrifuges etc should let Bachmann know.
Finances continue to be limiting, and our current monies stand at $43226.07.
Bachmann made a strong case for annual support from ISTH, as one of our sponsoring
bodies, of $15,000. He appealed for this case to be made to ISTH by
all relevant members of council. Mannucci offered to write to Seligsohn
and to Chapel Hill to try to get increased funding from ISTH; the stipend
for trainees has not been increased for several years.
The second part of the training program concerns postgraduate courses in
Haemostasis and Thrombosis for cardiologists and scientists carrying out
cardiovascular research. These courses should be delivered by leading
figures in the underlying science and in drug treatment. Thus a mixture
of haemastasis and cardiological aspects should be covered.
5. Restructuring of WHF Councils
This is no longer planned; see item 3 above.
6. Postgraduate Courses
Mannucci reported that the meeting in Naples in May 2001 had been a success
and thanks to Dr Giovanni Di Minno were recorded. The financial success
meant that there were funds available for the use of the TVTC program.
There are constraints on transfer of this money from Italy, but tickets can
be purchased with it for support of travel (perhaps not exclusively to/from
Italy) or to pay for travel of TVCT trainers in Italian Centers.
The possible content of further courses was discussed and it was agreed that
there should be a good balance of haemostasis of relevance to clinical practice
of cardiology, cardiac surgery and neurology. Bokarew expressed enthusiasm
for organising the next course, in Moscow, St Petersburg or another venue,
with perhaps 50 participants. Suggestions included having a geographical
balance of speakers and having a format of lectures morning and evening,
with free afternoons to allow good social interaction between faculty and
students. Money for external speakers would be needed (the Naples surplus
might be used towards this) and companies should be approached. Conard
offered to help with the program.
7. Other business
Bachmann highlighted the fact that we should report to SSC, as in article
III of our statutes. Francis welcomed this and it was agreed that Booth/Mannucci
should arrange for this for the SSC meeting in Boston in July 2002.
8. Date and place of next meeting
This will be at the SSC Meeting in Boston, in July 2002.
Note added to minutes on 10 May 2002: There will not now be a meeting
of the Council in Boston.
Nuala Booth, Secretary