Despite impressive advances in our knowledge of its mechanisms and treatment, heart failure remains one of the most challenging diseases both for basic research and clinical practice. Improved treatment of most cardiovascular diseases and increased longevity are causing a steady increase in the number of persons affected by this syndrome. Heart failure remains associated with poor quality of life, frequent hospitalisations and, ultimately, a high mortality. To date, it is the most important cause of hospitalisations in patients over 65 in Western countries and it is associated with a higher mortality rate than most malignancies. Its high prevalence and poor prognosis make it a major cause of expense and use of health care resources.

The primary mission of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology is to “to improve quality of life and longevity, through better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, including the establishment of networks for its management, education and research”. The organisation of a large international meeting is an essential component of our activity. It gives us the possibility to gather all those interested in heart failure, including cardiologists, internists, practising general physicians, basic scientists, epidemiologists, cardiac nurses, industry affiliates and others, so that they can share new insights and improve their knowledge and clinical practice.

Since 2004, the Heart Failure Association has organised a large annual Congress in different European congress locations to provide an extensive update on all recent advances in basic and clinical science. The next Congress, Heart Failure 2008, will be held in the beautiful and lively city of Milan, an easily reachable city from any country throughout the world, an ideal link between the North and South of Europe.

We warmly invite you to come and participate in this Congress. We wish to share with you the delights and merits of an exciting and challenging scientific programme, as well as the beauty of Milan