Experts
conclude at the 7th APHRS Scientific Session one of the
largest International conferences on Heart Rhythm disorders in the World
Atrial Fibrillation, one of the most
common Heart Rhythm disorders was concluded to be a growing epidemic in India
affecting over 12.7 million Indians in 2013 as compared to 12.3 million in
2012. This was the main topic of discussion at the 7th APHRS
Scientific Session, one of the largest gatherings of Cardiac
Electrophysiologists in the world. In it’s in its 7th edition,
the APHRS Scientific Session was jointly organized in India for the first time
ever by the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the Indian Heart
Rhythm Society (IHRS). The topics of discussion included ECGs,
Sudden Cardiac Death, Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure and
Arrhythmia. The four-day conference was held between October 29 – Nov 1
simultaneously at Hotel Taj Palace and ITC Maurya in New Delhi.
A special focus was also given to
technological development in the field of heart rhythm disorders through
revolutionary technologies such as Leadless Pacemakers and Subcutaneous
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator’s (ICD). According to the data presented
in the APHRS 2014 white book, which was released on the closing ceremony of the
conference, in 2013 over 23 lakh Indians suffered from heart failure and
6,27,000 died due to sudden cardiac death. The total number of pacemakers
implanted in the year 2013 was 36,322 and ICD’s 1950. This showed the need for
global platforms such as these to discuss the growing incidence of heart rhythm
disorders and its treatment.
The highlight of the conference were the
200 scientific sessions conducted by 250 core leading National and
International faculty including Dr Richard Fogel (President Heart Rhythm
Society USA), Dr Young Hoon Kim (President APHRS), Dr Johnathan Kalman, Dr
Kalyalam Shivkumar and Dr Mohan Nair (Organizing Committee Chairman APHRS
Scientific Session 2014).
Speaking on the occasion Dr
Mohan Nair, Chairman Organizing Committee, 7th Asia APHRS Scientific
Session and Chairman Cardiology, Saket City Hospital said, “It is
indeed a proud moment to have an International conference of such stature and
scale being organized in India. With the increasing incidence of heart rhythm
disorders in the country, it is extremely important that we make full use of
the advancements in technology in the fields of arrhythmia and electro
cardiology and educate the community about new and innovative treatment
options available globally. I am happy to say that India today is at par with
global and more and more innovations are being done in India in the field in
line with our Prime Minister’s Make in India initiative”.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Young-Hoon
Kim, President APHRS said, “Started in 2008, APHRS takes place every year
in different countries of the Asia Pacific Region. The goal behind scheduling
these conferences in different countries is to provide an exchange of
information related to not only arrhythmia and electro cardiology but also
to put forward an apt platform for the exposure to the local culture which is
rewardingly educational and deeply enriching. I had a great time in India and
look forward to coming back in the future. I am happy to announce that the next
APHRS Scientific Session will take place in Melbourne, Australia in 2015”.
Giving a global perspective, Dr
Jonathan Kalman, Professor at The Royal Melbourne Hospital in
Melbourne, said, “Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common
sustained heart rhythm disturbance and a major cause of stroke and death. Over
recent decades, the incidence of AF has increased dramatically, positioning AF
as one of the epidemics of the new millennium. Conferences like the APHRS
Scientific Session like are extremely important platforms to discuss
advancements in the field and provide adequate training to heart rhythm
physicians to address this modern epidemic”.
Adding to this, Dr Richard
Fogel, President, Heart Rhythm Society, USA said, “The treatment of arrhythmic
disorders differs not just within different North American countries but also
globally, making a platform such as this extremely beneficial and important.
Technological advancement has now revolutionized treatment of heart rhythm
disorders. For instance putting a three lead pacemaker is now an
established non-drug therapy for end stage heart failure.”
Key
Highlights of the conference included
1. Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of stroke (paralysis)
in the elderly
2. Patient with atrial fibrillation need long-term blood thinners.
Now safer blood thinners are available which do not require blood monitoring
3. Sudden cardiac death is preventable. The general public should
learn hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
4. Patients who have low pumping action of the heart require a
machine, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), an internal electric
shock device, which delivers an electric shock when the heart stops functioning
due to the disturbed very high rhythm and thus restores normal rhythm
5. Today it is possible to electrically burn (ablate) the
electrical pathways of the heart that cause abnormal rhythm
6. It is possible now to put a pacemaker without a lead
7. It is now possible to put an internal electric shock device
(ICD) subcutaneously below the skin bypassing the muscle
8. All children going for competitive sports in school should be
screened for chances of sudden cardiac death during sports
9. All patients with low pumping action of the heart may require
not only an internal electric shock device (ICD), but also a 3 lead pacemaker
to improve pumping action of heart
10. All patients with irregular rhythm, atrial tachycardia, should
go for electric burning of accessory pathway of the heart (ablation), which is
now practically a nonsurgical procedure
11. All high risk patients should be screened for risk of sudden cardiac
death so that necessary measures can be taken to prevent sudden cardiac death.
12. There is a need for a
nationwide sudden cardiac death prevention program
No comments:
Post a Comment