Cardiology extravaganza

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

“Cardiology conferences in Peshawar have been a trend setter – the fourth was even better - intellectually stimulating, academically satisfying and socially pleasing. This conference will serve as a landmark and a standard for others to compare with. In the current scenario, the need to stand together and support each other is ever more in demand. We have to prove, by actions, that we uphold the tenets of equality, freedom of speech and respect of human being besides our deep rooted faith in excellence of academics and research,” said this scribe as convenor of the 20th Biennial Cardiology Conference. Barrister Syed Masood Kausar was the chief guest and the Minister health Syed Zahir Ali Shah was the guest of honour on the inaugural ceremony. President of Pakistan Cardiac Society welcomed the guests and explained the vision of the society. The Secretary of the society highlighted the role of Pakistan Cardiac Society. Dr Arshad Rehan of APCNA appreciated the joint efforts of APCNA and Pakistan Cardiac Society.

Pakistan Cardiac Society, founded in 1961, is the oldest premier organization of leading cardiologists of the country. It organizes regular meetings and conferences in different cities of Pakistan, attended by local faculty and foreign delegates. The society endeavors to promote awareness about heart ailments, encourage preventive measures and inculcate culture of research in the field of cardiology. The ultimate object is to prevent cardiac ailments and render treatment of cardiac diseases more effective, accessible and affordable.

The aim of the conference was to disseminate new knowledge, encourage research and more importantly open new avenues of imagination and creativity for the trainees and faculty. The conference offered a unique national platform to share the experiences of clinical and basic research by the leading departments and institutions. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter had the privilege to host the 20th Biennial Cardiology Conference in the historical city of Peshawar. More than five hundred delegates –doctors, nurses, paramedics and medical students from all over Pakistan participated in the deliberations of the conference. Association of Pakistan descendent Cardiologists of North America (APCNA) was the co host. More than fifteen scholars from USA, three from UK, two from Iran and three from Mid East honoured the conference with their presence.

The conference had three parallel sessions: offering online transmission of interventional procedures performed by internationally renowned cardiologists in Lady Reading Hospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories. Coronary interventional cases performed by the leading cardiologists of NICVD, PIC, PIMS and AFIC performed challenging procedures. For the first time use of ICE and noncontact mapping was demonstrated online in Pakistan. Challenging paediatric cases were performed on Friday and Saturday by international and national experts. Pakistan television made special arrangement for high quality live telecast which was appreciated by all. Trainees and young faculty members were encouraged to present original research and the senior faculty presented state of art lectures for dissemination of the latest research by international leaders in their fields. In total 157 presentations and thirty three poster presentations were made. For the first time ever there was a joint session of American College of Cardiology and Pakistan Cardiac Society on the emerging field of Cardiac Imaging. APCNA fellows of American College Of Cardiology represented the College and made state of the art presentations.

Our earnest effort had been to encourage local research and provide Cardiologists with an opportunity to present their indigenous research at a national forum. Besides offering an occasion to interact and learn from each other this conference provides a unique occasion to formulate research agenda for Pakistan. Proactive efforts are required to inculcate the culture of research at all levels. A review of abstracts will reveal that where as we come a long way since inception of the Pakistan Cardiac Society, we still have a long journey ahead of us.

The theme of the conference was “Prevention – an enticing challenge”. Preventive cardiology remains a neglected field in Pakistan and this conference devoted a whole session and three workshops to it in which the participants had in depth exposure to preventive aspects of Cardiology. The aim was to highlight the importance of developing properly structured and functional departments of Preventive Cardiology in every institute and major departments. International authorities have been invited in the field to help us achieve the desirable aims.

As super-specialties continue to grow we tried to develop scientific program along with their collaboration and encouraged their role under the umbrella of Pakistan Cardiac Society. For the first time there was emphasis on hands-on training and for the record twenty seven special interactive workshops were planned to enhance knowledge and improve skills of young cardiologists. Peshawar chapter was proud to introduce two parallel workshops and for the first time we had workshops of ninety minutes hosted by internationally recognized experts. We offered many innovations in this international meeting: 23rd December hosted eleven practical - hands on workshops in Echocardiography –adult and paediatrics, Nuclear cardiology, Electrophysiology –updates on devices and interventions and interventional Cardiology adult and paediatrics. Especially designed ‘How to do’ workshops hosted by international experts offered ample opportunities for our budding cardiologists to interact and learn practical tips.

Three parallel sessions – state of art lectures, research presentations and live telecast from Catheterisation laboratories will offer the latest in the world of Cardiology to quench the thirst of all - the novice and the expert.

A special treat awaited all as on Friday evening – a theme dinner was arranged with a cultural show local band played instrument which everyone enjoyed. New band ‘Raga boys’ enetertained the crowd totheir hearts content with their expertise in classical and newer songs. An extravagant gala dinner on Saturday along with most entertaining performance of a special artist Fakhir rendered the evening memorable. This, indeed, was a unique experience for all the participants. The families enjoyed the nice weather, Pathan hospitality and Bara’s bargains!

This conference enjoyed full support from APCNA and we had more than a dozen experts from USA as speakers and moderators. Second Pacemaker bank is being launched by APCNA in this conference to help the under privileged patients. “Our members were on panels of invasive, noninvasive and preventive sessions and were among the main speakers; many performed live coronary and peripheral cases. The meeting was at par with meetings in USA and the young trainees were very keen to learn. We also installed our 2nd pacemaker bank for the non affording patient which was reported in major papers. We were able to deliver 6 full boxes of stents /pacers/wires and materials for needy patients. Without Prof Hafizullah and his great team we would not have been welcomed as we were - we were literally treated as royalty. Socially our APCNA friends besides the formal function enjoyed tikka kabab and rabab, swati nashta, a trip to inner city masjid Mohabat Khan, a trip to village Hujra Pathan style tikka, kabab and sugar canes (gannas) along with fresh gurr near Pabbi. All cardiologists went on double dose statins!!!” reported Dr Naeem Khan, active member of APCNA from Chicago.