WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome Message from the President of ASCVTS 2026
Prof. Sertaç Çiçek, MD, FACS, FACC, FCCP
Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Esteemed Members of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Community,
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is both an honor and a personal privilege to invite you to the 34th Annual Meeting of the Asian Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (ASCVTS), to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from April 16 to 19, 2026.
In a world increasingly driven by velocity—of data, of decisions, of disruption—meetings such as ASCVTS are not mere traditions; they are necessary recalibrations. We do not gather simply to exchange slides or updates. We gather to pause, reflect, and realign—to ask the questions that do not fit into the margins of journal articles: What are we becoming? What must we preserve? And how do we ensure that progress remains tethered to principle?
ASCVTS 2026 is guided by the motto: Presence. Precision. Perspective.
Presence is more than being there—it is the commitment to truth in action.
Precision is not only technical—it is moral and intellectual clarity.
Perspective reminds us that to lead, we must see beyond ourselves—across borders, disciplines, and generations.
Surgery, at its best, is not just about innovation—it is about consequence. Every choice we make—whether technical, ethical, or philosophical—defines not just outcomes, but who we are as a profession. ASCVTS 2026 will make space for that dimension of dialogue: where clinical precision meets moral clarity.
Our scientific program will be rigorously structured to present the latest developments in adult cardiac, congenital, thoracic, aortic, and hybrid surgery. Each session will be designed with clarity, critical thinking, and clinical relevance in mind.
We are honored to continue our academic collaboration with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). These joint sessions will serve as vital platforms for international exchange, elevating the dialogue across continents and shaping the future of cardiothoracic surgery.
But beyond the science lies something equally vital—fellowship. ASCVTS 2026 will offer the rare opportunity to reconnect in person, to challenge and learn from one another, and to renew the personal and professional relationships that define our global community.
Hosting this meeting in Antalya is more than geographic convenience. It is symbolic. Antalya is a city that has stood at the edge of empires, where cultures converged not in conflict—but in continuity. It teaches us something about legacy—that what lasts is not what shouts the loudest, but what speaks the most truth. In such a city, we will talk not only about techniques, but about time—what we pass on, and what we dare to challenge.
We are not just organizing a meeting—we are shaping a conversation that will echo well beyond Antalya. Come with your science, your questions, your skepticism, and your stories. We promise a meeting that honors both the intellect and the spirit of cardiothoracic surgery. We look forward to welcoming you—fully, thoughtfully, and with gratitude.
With my warmest regards,
