BRUNEI-MUARA

THE Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Centre is set to host its Fifth International Cardiology Conference this weekend, bringing together eminent experts in the field to Brunei.

Dr Thirunavukkarasu Ganesan, director of non-invasive cardiology at the centre, told reporters yesterday the biennial event is steadily gaining popularity among the medical community with the highest number of registrations recorded for this year at 267.

Themed ‘Recent Advances in Cardiology’, the conference aims to enlighten the audience on new developments in the rapidly advancing fields of cardiology.

“The distinguished panel of speakers at this event will include well-known specialists in the field of cardiology and electrophysiology, interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery,” said Dr Ganesan, noting participation from the United States, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

On Saturday, the conference will open with a lecture on the Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Centre by its chief of clinical services and cardiac surgery, Professor Eugene Sim. The ceremony will also feature a guest lecture on the Brugada Syndrome by Dr Koonlawee Nademanee, world-renowned cardiac electrophysiologist and director of the Pacific Rim Electrophysiology Research Institute in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, a panel of speakers will deliver talks on Sunday relating to topics such as the current status of ischemic heart disease and its management.

The talks will also cover interventional cardiology including transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the world’s first percutaneous mitral valve repair therapy known as MitraClip and the new treatment of implanting left ventricular assist devices for severe heart failure patients.

As the fields of cardiology are rapidly advancing, Dr Ganesan said the conference enabled the medical community to learn more about the new developments that have been made.

“The developments are so rapid and so fast. People may not have the opportunity to be aware of the new things happening in cardiology.

“So, the main purpose is to create that awareness and bring to light what new developments are available outside Brunei,” he explained.

He said the event will also serve as a platform in bridging the gap between cardiology services available in Brunei and the best cardiac centres worldwide.

The Brunei Times