Dear Industry Partners,
We are thrilled to announce that Padova and the University of Padova will proudly host the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC). It is a great honor to welcome our colleagues, collaborators, and friends to a city that seamlessly blends ancient history, scientific heritage, and modern innovation.
Padova is no ordinary city. With roots reaching back to 1185 BC, it is a vibrant living museum—home to monuments, piazzas, and timeless architecture that narrate centuries of history. Its elegant porticoed streets, lively cafés like the iconic Caffè Pedrocchi , and its recent recognition as “Urbs Picta” on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its breathtaking 14th-century frescoes, offer every visitor a unique cultural immersion.
At the heart of the city stands the University of Padova, founded in 1222 among the oldest in the world. A cradle of scientific revolution, it witnessed the teachings of Copernicus, the anatomical discoveries of Vesalius, and the celestial observations of Galileo Galilei. Padova gave the world its first university's botanical garden, its first permanent anatomical theatre, and even the first woman ever awarded a university degree, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia in 1678.
In our own time, Padova University Hospital’s Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center stands as a national and international leader. Serving a population of over eight million, our multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive care to patients with congenital heart disease from the prenatal stage to adulthood and beyond.
We anticipate that the 2026 AEPC meeting will gather over 1,300 delegates from across the globe, drawn by Padova’s intellectual legacy, cultural charm, and warm hospitality. Affordable accommodation, a dynamic scientific program, and a welcoming local atmosphere promise to make this an unforgettable event.
The main topic this year will be on Advanced imaging modalities in congenital heart disease and new therapies for heart failure.
However, the success of this meeting depends, as ever, on the invaluable support of our industry partners. Together, we share a common goal: to advance pediatric and congenital cardiology through research, innovation, and the global dissemination of scientific knowledge.
We warmly invite you to be part of this exceptional opportunity not only to showcase your support for innovation in our field but also to engage with a passionate community in a setting that celebrates the past while shaping the future.
Let’s make the 2026 AEPC meeting in Padova a landmark event together.
With warm regards,
The Organizing Committee