2 Feb : The 2nd World Heart Failure Congress 2010 is being organized in PGIMER, Chandigarh. The guest faculty including eminent cardiologists from various countries (UK, NLD, USA, Canada, Argentina etc.) and India will deliberate on various aspects of heart failure such as prevention, management, global and regional scenarios, cardiomyopathies, rheumatic heart disease etc. 300 delelgates are expected to attend the congress.
Heart failure is a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Treatment of heart failure is expensive and consumes a substantial amount of the healthcare budget. Results of heart failure treatment are still sub-optimal. Several recent advances in heart failure management have improved outcomes. However, these treatments are expensive and even developed countries have difficulty in allocating adequate resources for these patients. It is important that these newer treatment modalities be used judiciously to maximize patient benefit at acceptable costs. The congress will attempt to deliberate on this issue and come up with some recommendations for both developed and developing countries.
Several recent advances in heart failure diagnosis, medical management, devices and surgery have benefitted patients. Role of these treatment modalities will be placed in perspective. Measures to prevent and treat heart failure in the community will be discussed.
Causes of heart failure in India differ from that in the West. Focused sessions will be held on conditions like rheumatic heart disease that are more common in India. Another session will focus on the regional scenario of heart failure in different parts of the world.
Dr WJ Remme, President of the World Heart Failure Society will finally sum up the deliberations and highlight important issues and messages in his presidential address.