In continuation of the previously held successful programme on ECG, the Pakistan Heart Association (PHA) in collaboration with Merck Pakistan organised a one-day scientific session on the topic “Update on Heart Failure” at a local hotel here on Tuesday.
The programme was divided into five sessions and was headed by different panel of experts. The major portion of the session comprised of interactive presentations and trials given by emerging cardiac fellows and case discussions held by renowned cardiologists as panel of experts.
PHA is the first organisation, which had been working for the promotion and training of doctors in the field of cardiology. Dr Syed Zahid Jamal, the moderator of the programme in his address to the participants said, “Heart failure is a devastating disease that causes debilitating symptoms and excess mortality, affecting millions of people in our country. It remains the most common discharge diagnosis for hospitalised adults and accounts for multiple visits annually.”
He further added, “Keeping in view our population age group, the number of patients afflicted with this disease will grow with time. It is essential that heart failure should be recognised promptly and proven therapies be applied for managing this chronic disease.”
He also said that nurse practitioners, physician assistants and primary care providers played a pivotal role in the care of such patients. The theme of the session was based on the idea to provide awareness to medical students and update their knowledge regarding heart failure. Important points highlighted during discussions are as follows: Recognise the clinical syndrome of heart failure and who is at risk, articulate typical diagnostic testing essential for diagnosis and management of heart failure, incorporate appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies for patients across the spectrum of heart failure, describe when referral for advanced heart failure therapies is indicated and describe treatment strategies to manage symptoms when conventional therapies were exhausted.
The organising committee expressed its satisfaction at the turnout in the meeting. The discussions were termed by participants as educationally stimulating.
