Indian Doctors Club (IDC) Qatar held its continuous professional development (CPD) programme in Doha yesterday.
The event was held as an early celebration of World Heart Day, which falls on September 29.
Dr Shahul Hameed, senior consultant cardiologist at the Heart Hospital, chaired the session.
Distinguished cardiologists Dr Joji Mathews, Dr Sabir Abdul Karim and Dr Ravindran P addressed the gathering.
Dr Mathews, specialist cardiologist at Al Ahli Hospital, spoke on cardiac fitness for non-cardiac surgeries.”Risk profiling, focused investigations and formulating a proper perioperative management strategy is the core of preoperative cardiac fitness,” he said, stressing that “anticipating challenges and being prepared to handle them will be rewarded with a favourable outcome”. 
Dr Karim, consultant cardiologist at the Heart Hospital, spoke about the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with heart failure.
He explained how CMR imaging, which is a novel mode of investigation, has been used in diagnosis, prognosis and guiding treatment.
Dr Raveendran P, cardiologist at Aster Medical Centre, spoke on the management of coronary artery disease in primary care.
He emphasised how keen attention to history, a thorough physical examination and risk profile assessment are essential.
Regarding acute presentation with chest pain, he elaborated the role of serial ECGs, Troponins and risk scores to predict acute coronary syndrome and in triaging patients to appropriate treatments. He said early detection will help salvage cardiac muscle and save lives.
Dr Saibu George, general secretary of the Indian Doctors Club, proposed the vote of thanks and concluded the meeting.
In its mission statement this year, the World Heart Federation says: “By making just a few small changes to our lives, we can reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as improving our quality of life and setting a good example for the next generation. It’s about saying to yourself, the people you care about and individuals all around the world: ‘What can I do right now to look after my heart … and your heart?’ Because we believe every heartbeat matters.”
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