Date of Publication: August 5, 2009
The Caribbean Cardiac Society (CCS) hosted its 24th Annual Caribbean Cardiology Conference in Barbados July 28 – 31, 2009 under the theme “Meeting the Emerging Challenges to Cardiovascular Care in the Caribbean”. The Conference welcomed some 180 participants from all across the Caribbean representing the region’s Dutch, English, French and Spanish speaking territories.
Dr. Raymond Massay of Barbados, Conference Chairman, expressed his pride in having had Barbados host this important meeting. The Clinical Programme of the Conference was opened with the Annual Cardiology Lecture delivered by Prof. Roberto Ferrari, President of the European Society of Cardiology and Prof. Marshall Jacobs of the Cleveland Clinic delivered the Annual Surgical Lecture.
Dr. Martin Didier, President of the Society, in highlighting the use of technology to meet the emerging challenges in Cardiovascular Care said “The programme provided the Caribbean practitioner with information on cutting edge technology such as Genetic Testing, Cardiac MRI, Three-Dimensional Echocardiogram and new techniques in Revascularization Therapy.”
The Conference Planning Committee is particularly pleased that the Conference’s clinical programme emphasized a holistic approach to the treatment of Heart Disease including presentations on the importance of exercise in diabetes control and cardiac rehabilitation. Dr. Massay in discussing the programme said “It is vital that we address the interaction between Cardiology risk factors and other areas of study including Renal medicine, Diabetes and Sickle Cell. This programme aims to do just that by including presentations from a wide variety of specialties including Nephrologists and Neurologists.”
The risk factor approach to the management of Cardiovascular Disease was also discussed from two unique perspectives with presentations from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control (COSEHC).
The Conference was officially declared closed on July 31 at the Hilton by Dr. Didier who invited all participants to next year’s Cardiology Conference at the Ritz Carlton in Rose Hall, Jamaica.
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