From the Chairperson
Welcome
It is great honor to organize this 26th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Heart Research Japanese Section in Sapporo, Hokkaido. This is the second times to hold the Annual Meeting of ISHR Japanese section in Hokkaido. In 1997 July, professor Abiko organized the 14th Annual Meeting of ISHR Japanese section in Asahikawa. From the 1970s, professor Yasuda, Hokkaido University, professor Iimura, Sapporo Medical University, professor Onodera, Asahikawa Medical College had promoted the cardiovascular science in Hokkaido. Their works were prominent. Now we must promote their works further.
The purpose of this conference is to bring together the most exciting advances from the basic to the clinical area of heart disease including ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure. This program is also unique in that the fundamental understanding and clinical application are arranged in a coordinated fashion. This serves to emphasize the smooth understanding from basic investigation to clinical practice. This annual meeting are attended by professionals involved in delivering cardiovascular care, including physicians, scientists, and assistants. In addition to this core audience, medical students and trainees, technicians, dietitians, administrators and other health care professionals will also benefit from various sessions and interaction with their cardiovascular colleagues. All registrants will be enriched through the comprehensive programming, and stimulating discussions. Finally, we show the objectives to fully understand 26th Annual Meeting of ISHR Japanese Section. We would like to promote the scientific basis for the practice of cardiology, to foster the exchange of information among cardiovascular scientists and to increase public awareness with respect to cardiovascular health and disease.

Hideaki Kawaguchi
The chairperson, 26th Annual Meeting of ISHR Japanese section
Department of Laboratory medicine,
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine