DALLAS, Thursday, September 16, 2021 – The American Heart Association will present this year’s Scientific Sessions 2021 as a fully virtual experience Saturday, November 13 through Monday, November 15, 2021. The Resuscitation Science Symposium and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Session, being held in conjunction with Scientific Sessions, have also moved to fully virtual formats. The decision to shift to an all-digital experience - from the previously planned blend of in-person and virtual experiences - is a consequence of the continuing surge of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.

The Association has offered Scientific Sessions, a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science, to health care professionals and researchers worldwide, since 1925. The meeting typically draws thousands of scientists and medical professionals from around the world, and this year will mark the second time in nearly 100 years that Scientific Sessions will be fully virtual. This approach helps ensure the health and safety of Scientific Sessions attendees by reducing travel and multi-day, large public gatherings. Many health care professionals have been forced to suspend travel in order to attend to urgent patient and clinical needs in their home communities.

The Association’s leadership and its volunteer-led Committee on Scientific Sessions Programming is committed to creating a meaningful virtual event, based on the success of last year’s Scientific Sessions, as well as its other digital-first meetings. Scientific Sessions 2021 will once again provide a robust and meaningful scientific exchange in an all-virtual format while ensuring this important content remains easily accessible to health care professionals and researchers worldwide. The Association believes the virtual format may increase access and the reach of the event to international attendees who are not able to travel and attend in person.

“Together with my colleagues on the sessions program committee, we remain dedicated to providing rich, cutting-edge and valuable scientific content in a fully virtual experience. More than 500 sessions are planned for three full days of the latest cardiovascular, resuscitation and quality of care research. The digital experience will be interactive and compelling. We look forward to engaging online in November for the 2021 Scientific Sessions: One World - Together for Science!” said Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, volunteer chair of the Association’s Committee on Scientific Sessions Programming, and a professor of medicine, the Richard Sean Stack, M.D. Distinguished Professor, chief of the division of cardiology and chief of the division of clinical pharmacology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.

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The Association receives funding primarily from individuals. Foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations and health insurance providers are available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/aha-financial-information.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

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For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Michelle Kirkwood: 703-457-7838; michelle.kirkwood@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

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