This 3 ½ day conference includes lectures, discussions, and oral/poster presentations focusing on the latest advances in Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease is the major cause of acquired childhood heart disease in developed countries. Children who develop significant coronary artery aneurysms as a result of Kawasaki disease have a lifetime increased risk of myocardial ischemia, infarction, and sudden death. The study of Kawasaki disease and its treatment are likely to yield important answers to general questions in cardiovascular health and disease that apply equally to pediatric and adult populations.

 

The Eleventh International Kawasaki Disease Symposium seeks to address the influence of genetics on disease susceptibility and outcomes, the mechanisms of coronary artery damage following severe acute inflammation, the role of immune modulation and other novel therapies in preventing artery damage, the potential use of serum biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, the use of newer imaging techniques to assess abnormalities of the coronary arteries and myocardium, and new therapies regarding anticoagulation and vascular health. Current data regarding the worldwide epidemiology will be highlighted, as well as psychosocial issues, guidelines and nursing practice. .

 

Since the historic first International Kawasaki Disease Symposium in 1984, the international symposium has been held every 3 years in Japan, the United States, or Taiwan, drawing attendees from all continents.

 

The audience will consist of pediatric and adult cardiologists, pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists in immunology, infectious disease, and rheumatology;  cardiovascular surgeons; pathologists; basic scientists in genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, and cardiovascular pathophysiology; public health officials from county and state agencies and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention; epidemiologists; and nurses working in pediatric cardiology and public health who have an interest in Kawasaki disease.

 

Photo courtesy of: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Joe Solem	Photo courtesy of: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Chuck Painter	Photo courtesy of: Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ)