DGAF annual conference - since 2019 as part of VMAC

Since 2019 our annual conference has been taking place as part of the Vascular Medicine and Atherosclerosis Congress - VMAC.

The idea of the presidents of DGAF and D • A • CH society for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases e. V. joined the German Society for Combating Lipid Metabolism Disorders and their secondary diseases DGFF (Lipid League) e. V on. In cooperation with SAW Tagungsmanagement, the joint congress of the three leading societies in Germany that deal with atherosclerosis and its secondary diseases was created: DACH, DGAF and DGFF.

Meanwhile, the Working group atherosclerosis in the clinic (AG 41) the DGK used the VMAC as a platform for a status symposium.

All further information can be found under www.VMAC-2026.de  .

Report:

Vascular Medicine and Atherosclerosis Congress (VMAC) 2026

This year, Cologne was the venue for the Vascular Medicine and Atherosclerosis Congress (VMAC). The annual meeting of the three specialist societies Society for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases (DACH), German Society for Lipidology-Lipid League (DGFL) and our German Society for Arteriosclerosis Research (DGAF) was held for the 7th time after its premiere in 2019. Again, with a joint session in the field of basic science together with AG41 of the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) and for the first time this year also with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS). A successful format, further joint sessions are planned.

The congress was held from Thu, 05.02. - Sat, 07.02. at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, approx. 15 minutes by tram from the city center. The hotel is located on the edge of Cologne's city forest with a view of a small lake. Lectures and posters took place directly in the hotel, a congress of short distances.

The congress began with the Career Workshop (led by Prof. Dr Claudia Göttsch, Prof. Dr Holger Winkels and Prof. Dr Norbert Gerdes) on Thursday morning, before the congress was officially opened by the presidents of the three specialist societies. The programme committee had put together a varied programme for the next two days, consisting of both basic science and clinical topics. As always, the topics were diverse: extracellular vesicles, risk factors, prevention, new therapy concepts, personalized medicine and, and, and. A highlight of the congress was once again the Young Investigator Award Session, with excellent presentations by 6 young scientists. Afterwards, Prof. Dr Ralf Kinscherf from Marburg was awarded the DGAF Schönheimer Medal for summarizing his research findings on the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis over the last 30 years in an overview. This was followed by the Hauss Prize, which this year was awarded to three young scientists from Aachen. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Prof Dr Winfried März, who personally supports this prize financially.

Another highlight in the evening was the poster session with ‘Wine & Cheese’, which flowed smoothly into the cosy part of the evening. This was followed on Fri. by the keynote lecture by Prof. Dr Jan Boren on ‘Metabolism of lipoproteins and their role in atherogenesis’ and in the evening the conference dinner in Peters Brauhaus in a rustic atmosphere and with a bit of a carnival feel. After another busy programme on Saturday morning and the eagerly awaited awards ceremony for the Young Investigator Award and the poster prizes (see below), the presidents of the societies gave their closing remarks.

We can look back on a successful congress with almost 200 participants and 49 abstract submissions - a record! As always, it was excellently organised by Ms Walther and Mr Karsch from SAW Conference Management, many thanks at this point. The conference venue was very well received, so that the VMAC 2027 will take place again in Cologne at the Leonardo Hotel. So please continue to promote our congress so that we can achieve the 200 registrations next year.

The development of our society's membership figures was positive last year. The DGAF general assembly was also held again during VMAC, where the most important changes were presented and discussed, including VMAC 2027, and elections were held. We are delighted to welcome two new faces to the Advisory Board: Heidi Noels and Emiel Van der Vorst.

VMAC 2027 is expected to take place again in Cologne in February. SAVE THE DATE! The final announcement will be published on our  website and on LinkedIn. FOLLOW US!

Numerous honors were awarded at the VMAC. All 2026 award winners are listed below: