Sophia Antipolis, 27 April, 2011: In the context of rising levels of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Asia Pacific region, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) announces that –for the first time- the Society will send an official delegation to participate in the Asia Pacific Congress of Cardiology (APCC). The 18th edition of the APCC meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 5 to 8 May 2011. The ESC deputation will present an educational programme called ESC@APSC on 4 and 5 May that includes an introduction to its latest Clinical Guidelines, observations from relevant ESC case studies and highlights from the ESC Congress 2010.
Representing the ESC will be the President, Professor Michel Komajda, along with members of the ESC Board, and a number of renowned cardiologists including the authors of some of its most recent Guidelines. “It is clear that CVD risk factors are not confined to the western world”, says Professor Komajda. “The situation today in Asia Pacific follows a familiar pattern of lifestyle issues that will see sharp increases in CVD similar to those we experienced in Europe. The main causes in both regions are poor diet, lack of exercise, and high consumption of alcohol and tobacco.”
The Global Scientific Activities Committee (GSA) of the ESC is making a concerted effort to extend the ESC’s scientific activities beyond Europe. Professor Thierry Gillebert from France, a member of the GSA Committee, has helped shape the ESC programme at the APCC. “There is a huge demand for us to share our training, guidelines and knowledge, and one of the most effective ways we can achieve this is through a proactive contribution to meetings such as the APCC,” said Prof Gillebert.
The ESC educational programme at APCC comprises a dedicated one and a half day event that provides a detailed overview of its principle activities including the ESC Congress, gives an insight into work on the latest Clinical Guidelines, and uses case studies to illustrate clinically relevant experience. ESC experts will also host a special ‘How-to’ session that addresses dyssynchrony from the perspective of several cardiology sub-disciplines.
The bi-annual APCC has become the most important cardiology gathering in the region and attracted over 2,500 delegates to the 2009 meeting in Kyoto. The ESC was invited by the Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology, organisers of the APCC which, this year, is hosted by the National Heart Association of Malaysia.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Asia Pacific region accounts for around half of the global burden of CVD¹. This proportion is set to grow in the coming years in line with rising levels of obesity and the prevalence of high cholesterol and diabetes amongst the population. Recent research carried out in China², for example, suggests that the risk factor levels of a cardiovascular event in that country will increase by 50% or more by 2030.
The ESC’s GSA Committee was established to meet demand for ESC science and knowledge outside of Europe, to build closer ties with international cardiology organizations, and to extend the ESC mission beyond its traditional borders. “We are very happy to have been invited to the APCC meeting in Kuala Lumpur,” notes Professor Komajda. “We hope for the same positive response to our education programme that was achieved during similar visits to China and Saudi Arabia, both of which emphasised the value of friendly scientific cooperation as well as the specific benefits of detailed collaboration.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About the European Society of Cardiology
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) represents more than 68,000 cardiology professionals across Europe and the Mediterranean. Its mission is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe.
About the ESC Global Scientific Activities Committee
The ESC Global Scientific Activities (GSA) is a programme of international ESC educational courses, built around a global network of international partnerships
References
¹WHO website 2002; http://apps.who.int/infobase/mortality.aspx
²Moran A, Gu D, Zhao D, et al. Future cardiovascular disease in China: markov model and risk factor scenario projections from the coronary heart disease policy model-china. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2010; 3: 243-52.
3 See the full ESC scientific programme to be presented at APCC on: http://www.escardio.org/congresses/global-activities/18th-asia-pacific/Pages/scientific-programme.aspx
Authors:
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