RYE, N.Y., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME) announces a groundbreaking symposium, "Current Practice of Cardiovascular Imaging: Disease Based Approaches to CT, MR, Echo and Nuclear Imaging", to be held September 19 - 22, 2005 in Las Vegas, NV. The symposium will highlight the collective use of the newest imaging technologies and how it can be harnessed for improved patient care.

Integrated imaging -- the convergence of computed tomography (CT scanning), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiography and nuclear imaging -- is a rapidly emerging field within cardiology. Relatively few practicing cardiologists are currently expert in the wide-ranging technologies of integrated imaging or how they can be used in combination to open up new possibilities in cost-effective patient care.

"With the advance of non-invasive cardiac imaging from echo to nuclear and now CT and MR, it is imperative that the general cardiologist have a firm understanding of the basic techniques of these modalities," said Howard C. Lewin, M.D., F.A.C.C., Medical Director, Cardiac Imaging Associates, Los Angeles, CA, and Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine. "In addition, as these imaging modalities mature they will become an integral part of everyday practice."

Current Practice of Cardiovascular Imaging will feature the nation's leading authorities on integrated imaging and will be co-chaired by Dr. Lewin, Dr. David A. Bluemke of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Edward T. Martin, Oklahoma Heart Institute and Dr. Mani Vannan of the University of California at Irvine. To make the information more useful to the audience, the symposium is structured along the lines of disease states most commonly seen in everyday cardiology practice. Physicians attending the conference will receive up to 24 hours of AMA Category 1 continuing education credits from IAME.

An Exhibit Hall will afford participants the opportunity to preview the latest cardiology and integrated imaging products. For more information on the symposium and sponsorship opportunities visit http://www.iame.com .

About IAME

The Institute for Advanced Medical Education was established in 1992 and provides continuing medical education to physicians, nurses and allied health professionals in the form of live events, multimedia and print programs. IAME is the nation's leading provider of CME in diagnostic imaging in addition offering innovative programs in neurology, gastroenterology, women's health and cardiovascular medicine. IAME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

Media contact: Lisa McDonnell, IAME, 914-921-5700, info@iame.com

Exhibitor contact: Kerry Christensen, IAME, 914-921-5700