James F. Benenati, M.D., Gary J. Becker, M.D., Barry T. Katzen, M.D.,
Gerald Zemel, M.D., Ramon Quesada, M.D. & Alex Powell, M.D.

Dear Colleague,

When ISET began in 1987, it was based on a foundation of pioneering live case demonstrations developed in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1977, following Andreas Gruntzig's earliest use of this educational method in Zurich in 1976. With primitive technology, limited space, and enthusiastic faculty and registrants as a beginning, ISET continued to grow each year and is now the premier meeting in endovascular medicine.

Although ISET began on a small scale, the goals were clear and have remained so throughout our history: to provide timely, practical information to our colleagues making optimal use of evolving technology to enhance the educational experience. Although we cannot fit the over 1,000 ISET physician participants in the procedural and operating rooms, we do our best to provide the same type of intimacy we offered in our first small meetings.

By using the latest communications technology, we allow you to become an active participant in the live cases. Interactive computer polling during decision-making, highly skilled and experienced operator-educators, and sophisticated video technology provide the best alternative to a tableside experience. This year, to enhance our tradition of audience participation, registrants will have an opportunity to join our faculty panel as guest questioners and moderators during selected live cases.

As we celebrate fifteen years of innovation in education, we have planned some very special events, large and small, to recognize our anniversary. The past, however, is not our focus. We will continue to maintain our mission to provide you with the latest, most practical information that will affect your practice in the next twelve months.

On behalf of the entire program committee and staff of Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, we look forward to seeing you at ISET 2003!