World Heart Federation : Asian Pacific Congress in Taipei
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ASIAN PACIFIC HEART AND STROKE COMMUNITY MEETS IN TAIPEI

The Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology held its 16th Asian Pacific Congress of Cardiology 13-16 December 2007 in Taipei. The Congress featured the first convocation of Fellows of the College of the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology. One day before the Congress, the Asia Pacific Heart Network held its annual general meeting and workshop. The World Heart Federation was active at all three events.

“Meeting the Challenge of Cardiovascular Medicine”

More than 2,000 cardiologists and other health professionals attended the Asian Pacific Congress of Cardiology at the Taipei International Convention Centre. The theme was “Meeting the Challenge of Cardiovascular Medicine”.

Sharing the podium at a gala dinner were Vice President Annette Lu, World Heart Federation President Shahryar Sheikh and President of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology and Chairman of the Congress Organizing Committee Cheng-wen Chiang.

Ms Lu spoke about the important role that cardiologists play in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Dr Sheikh emphasized the importance of awareness building, advocacy and sharing science.

Dr Chiang described the Congress’s highlights and its goal of providing health professionals the opportunity to exchange ideas and share their experiences in research and clinical practice.

“Key Congress features are the live demonstrations featuring cardiac interventions from key area hospitals, plenary sessions, and joint sessions with the World Heart Federation, the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology,” Dr Chiang said.

President of the World Congress of Cardiology 2008 Horacio Faella also spoke. He encouraged delegates to attend the Congress, which will be held 18-21 May 2008 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology, World Heart Federation present jointly

The scores of sessions and live demonstrations covered such topics as diastolic heart failure, thoracic surgery, stem cell therapy, viral myocarditis, drug-eluting stents, cardiovascular pharmacology and imaging, congenital and valvular heart disease, aortic surgery, atrial fibrillation and metabolic risk factors.

The Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology and the World Heart Federation presented two joint sessions. One was about the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases; the other was about tobacco control.

The session about the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease was co-moderated by World Heart Federation Scientific Advisory Board Chairman Sidney Smith of the United States of America and Hirotsugu Ueshima of Japan. The panellists included:

  • Dr Smith, who spoke about secondary prevention strategies.
  • Dong Zhao of China, who spoke about the implementation of guidelines for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in China.
  • Mario Mananhao of Brazil, who spoke about the secondary prevention of heart failure.

The session about tobacco control was co-moderated by Dr Sheikh of Pakistan and Wen-Pin Lien of Taiwan. The panellists were:

  • World Heart Federation Foundations Advisory Board Chairman Srinath Reddy of India, who spoke about effective tobacco strategies in the Indian experience.
  • Past World Heart Federation Vice President Elinor Wilson of Canada, who spoke about the global implications of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
  • Mrigendra Raj Pandey of Nepal, who spoke about tobacco use among youths in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Chi-Pang Wen spoke about smoking cessation in Asia.

Learn more about the Asian Pacific Congress of Cardiology. 

College of Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology holds first convocation

The College of the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology had its first convocation of Fellows. Three new trustees were inducted and 80 fellowships were awarded. Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology President Michael Lim described it as “a historic event which will bring together leading cardiologists and institutions in the Asian Pacific region for the development of cardiovascular medicine”.

The College was established six years ago with the aim of encouraging young cardiovascular professionals to contribute to the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology.

Asia Pacific Heart Network workshop

The day before the Congress, the Asia Pacific Heart Network held its annual general meeting and workshop. The heart foundations of Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Taiwan were represented. Some of the representatives were able to attend thanks to travel grants.

The workshop focused on three areas: volunteer management, fundraising and the Go Red for Women campaign for women’s heart health.

Hsu Tsui-Lieh of the Taiwan Heart Foundation, W. Santharaj of the Sri Lanka Heart Foundation, Suman Adhikara of the Nepal Heart Foundation and Francisco Dizon of the Heart Foundation of the Philippines described their organizations’ experiences of recruiting, training and managing volunteers. Much of the ensuing discussion focused on “the four Rs” of volunteer management: recruitment, retention, reward and release.

Tony Duncan of the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand and Sita Satar of the Heart Foundation of Indonesia presented about fundraising. Ms Roberts of the National Heart Foundation of Australia and Ho Sun Yee of the Singapore Heart Foundation presented about the promotion of Go Red for Women.

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