UK India Genomics Medical Alliance and Frontier Life Hospital, a Cardiac Specialty Hospital which provides world-class Cardiac Care to Adult and Paediatric patients in India and 21 countries organised the1st International Seminar on ‘Advances in inherited Diseases’atGreen Park Hotel, Vadapalani, Chennai, today. The conference took place in collaboration with Cardiomyopathy UK and Netherlands.

The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest DR. Dr.S.Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor (The TamilnaduDr.M.G.R. Medical University) and Special Guest Her Excellency Catherine Suard, Consul General of France.

The conference commenced with the discussion on the recent updates on the management of inherited heart diseases, with specific focus onHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, from the initial diagnosis, to when to refer to tertiary care treatment and genetic testing/family screening and counselling.

This conference marked the presence of outstanding international experts in the field of inherited heart diseases like Prof Perry Elliot, President of Cardiomyopathy UK, Prof Dhavendra Kumar, Dr Tessa Homfray, DrHelen Stewart, Dr Charu Deshpandefrom United Kingdom and Prof Arthur M Wilde from Netherlands. World leading experts described their views on the recent updates in the field of inherited heart disease and their experience in running a successful Cardiomyopathy service. 

On attending the event, Dr. SGeethalakshmiVice-Chancellor (The TamilnaduDr.M.G.R. Medical University) said, I am honoured to be a part of this event and be amongst such eminent personalities. The conference presents an opportunity for the experts to come together and discuss advanced treatment methods, ways to cooperate to build a hub for scientific learning and foster transfer of knowledge so that we can holistically address the challenges we face in this field and further improve patient outcome”.

On organizing the workshop along withUK India Genomics Medical Alliance, Dr. K M Cherian, Chairman and CEO, Frontier Lifeline Hospital said, “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a forgotten condition in India and hence I am delighted to be one of the organizers of the conference. Through this conference we can jointly increase awareness among clinicians and public, for treating this condition better. I hope this conference would benefit all the faculty members and scientific committee members”.

Dr Rajaram Anantharaman, Organising Secretaryof the Conferenceand the head for C. R. Y. Cardiomyopathy clinic / Senior Consultant Cardiologistat Frontier Lifeline Hospital said, the awareness about HCM and associated risk of sudden cardiac death is lacking among physicians and public in India and access to a dedicated Cardiomyopathy services are limited, hence during this conference we are launching a ‘Cardiomyopathy India’C.R.Y. app in association with iMMi life &Kardioscreen. Through this app primary care physician, patients and family members can upload ECG/Echo and get an opinion within 24 hours on diagnosis and treatment advice. 

Prof Dr Dhavendrakumar, Consultant in Clinical Genetics at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff University, United Kingdom, said we are delighted to collaborate and conduct this conference through which the experts in the field of inherited heart disease are able to share their knowledge and experience in running a successful service for the better treatment of these patients in India. 

The conference was also attended by ProfDr. V. Chockalingamand Prof Dr. C. Narasimhanas patrons. Dr Priya Chockalingam Cardiac Wellness Institute, Chennai and Prof.Dhavendra Kumar, Cardiff, UK are the other convenors for the International seminar.