8^th International Conference on
Cardiology

Interventional cardiology is a specialized branch of cardiology that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases using minimally invasive procedures. These procedures are typically performed using catheters (thin, flexible tubes) inserted into blood vessels through small incisions in the skin, rather than through open surgery.

Interventional cardiology offers several advantages over traditional open-heart surgery, including shorter recovery times, reduced risk of complications, and minimal scarring.

• Track 2-1  Cardiac Catheterization
• Track 2-2  Thrombectomy
• Track 2-3  Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions
• Track 2-4  Coronary Stenting
• Track 2-5  Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)

Electrophysiology is a branch of physiology that deals with the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. It focuses on the study of the electrical activity generated by living organisms, particularly in the nervous system and the heart.

In cardiology, electrophysiology refers to the study of the electrical activity of the heart, including the generation and propagation of cardiac action potentials. This can involve techniques such as electrocardiography (ECG) to measure the heart's electrical activity from the body surface, as well as invasive procedures like electrophysiological mapping and catheter ablation to diagnose and treat arrhythmias.

• Track 3-1  Computational Electrophysiology
• Track 3-2  Bioelectricity and Biophysics
• Track 3-3  Clinical Applications
• Track 3-4  Muscle Electrophysiology
• Track 3-5  Cardiac Electrophysiology

Cardiac imaging refers to the use of various imaging techniques to visualize the structure and function of the heart. These techniques are employed to diagnose and assess various cardiac conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart defects, and other abnormalities.

Each imaging modality has its advantages and limitations, and the choice of technique depends on the specific clinical question, patient characteristics, and availability of resources. Integration of multiple imaging modalities often provides a comprehensive assessment of cardiac structure and function, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

• Track 4-1  Intravascular Imaging
• Track 4-2  Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Track 4-3  Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG)
• Track 4-4  Echocardiography
• Track 4-5  Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT)

Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs. This can happen due to various reasons such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart valve disorders, or other conditions that weaken the heart muscle. As a result, the body may not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, and difficulty exercising.

Transplant cardiology is a subspecialty of cardiology focused on the evaluation and management of patients who may need heart transplantation. Transplant cardiologists are experts in assessing patients for heart transplantation candidacy, managing patients before and after transplantation, and overseeing the complex medical care involved in the transplant process.

• Track 5-1  Palliative Care in Heart Failure
• Track 5-2  Research and Innovations
• Track 5-3  Mechanical Circulatory Support
• Track 5-4  Heart Transplantation
• Track 5-5  Advanced Heart Failure

Pediatric cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing and treating heart problems in infants, children, and adolescents. It focuses on the diagnosis and management of congenital heart defects (heart problems present at birth), as well as acquired heart diseases that may develop during childhood.

Pediatric cardiology aims to provide comprehensive care for children with heart conditions, ensuring their optimal health and well-being from infancy through adolescence.

• Track 6-1  Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)
• Track 6-2  Fetal Cardiology
• Track 6-3  Long-term Follow-up Care
• Track 6-4  Research in Pediatric Cardiology
• Track 6-5  Cardiac Surgery

Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) refers to a range of heart defects that a person is born with and persists into adulthood. These defects can involve the heart walls, heart valves, and blood vessels.

Adults with congenital heart disease require specialized care from cardiologists with expertise in ACHD. This care often involves regular follow-up visits, diagnostic testing, medications, and, in some cases, surgical interventions or other procedures to manage complications or improve heart function.

• Track 7-1  Complications and Long-Term Outcomes
• Track 7-2  Genetics and Inheritance Patterns
• Track 7-3  Psychosocial and Quality of Life Issues
• Track 7-4  Management and Treatment
• Track 7-5  Anatomy and Physiology

Cardiothoracic imaging is a specialized field within radiology focused on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the chest, including the heart, lungs, mediastinum (the space between the lungs), thoracic wall, and great vessels. This imaging modality utilizes various techniques such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine imaging to visualize and assess abnormalities in the cardiothoracic region.

Cardiothoracic imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring of patients with a wide range of cardiothoracic disorders, helping clinicians make informed decisions about patient care.

• Track 8-1  Thoracic Imaging
• Track 8-2  Interventional Cardiothoracic Imaging
• Track 8-3  Vascular Imaging
• Track 8-4  Imaging in Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Track 8-5  Congenital Heart Disease Imaging

Cardiac regenerative medicine is a field of medical research and therapy focused on repairing or replacing damaged or malfunctioning cardiac tissue, primarily following events such as heart attacks or heart failure. The ultimate goal is to restore the heart's function and structure to a healthy state.

Researchers in this field aim to develop innovative therapies that can improve outcomes for patients with various forms of heart disease, reduce the need for heart transplants, and ultimately enhance quality of life.

• Track 9-1  Stem Cell Therapy
• Track 9-2  Cellular Reprogramming
• Track 9-3  Exosome Therapy
• Track 9-4  Gene Therapy
• Track 9-5  Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

Cardiovascular nutrition refers to the dietary strategies and choices aimed at promoting heart health and preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which include conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. This branch of nutrition focuses on consuming foods that support optimal heart function, blood circulation, and overall cardiovascular well-being.

By adopting a well-rounded approach to cardiovascular nutrition and incorporating these principles into daily eating habits, individuals can support heart health and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

• Track 10-1  Balanced Diet
• Track 10-2  Limiting Saturated and Trans Fats
• Track 10-3  Moderating Sugar Intake
• Track 10-4  Lifestyle Factors
• Track 10-5  Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Heart rhythm disorders, also known as arrhythmias, refer to abnormal heartbeats. Normally, the heart beats in a regular, coordinated rhythm, but in cases of arrhythmia, the heart may beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly. These disorders can occur due to various factors.

Treatment options for arrhythmias include medications, lifestyle changes, medical devices (such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators), or procedures like catheter ablation. It's important for individuals with symptoms suggestive of arrhythmias to seek medical evaluation for proper diagnosis and management.

• Track 11-1  Electrical system abnormalities
• Track 11-2  Electrolyte imbalances
• Track 11-3  Medications or substances
• Track 11-4  Heart conditions
• Track 11-5  High blood pressure

Cardiovascular psychology, also known as behavioral cardiology or cardiac psychology, is a specialized field within psychology that focuses on the relationship between psychological factors and cardiovascular health. It examines how emotions, behaviors, personality traits, stress, and social relationships impact the development, progression, and management of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.

Its ultimate goal is to improve cardiovascular health and well-being through a better understanding of the complex interplay between psychological factors and cardiovascular disease processes.

• Track 12-1  Stress and Coping
• Track 12-2  Behavioral Risk Factors
• Track 12-3  Psychosocial Factors
• Track 12-4  Quality of Life and Adjustment
• Track 12-5  Health Behavior Change

Cardiovascular surgery, also known as cardiac surgery, is a medical specialty focused on surgical procedures involving the heart and blood vessels. It primarily deals with the treatment of diseases affecting the cardiovascular system, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, congenital heart defects, aneurysms, and peripheral vascular diseases.

Cardiovascular surgery often involves complex procedures requiring advanced surgical techniques and technologies, such as minimally invasive approaches and robotic-assisted surgery. The goal of cardiovascular surgery is to improve the function of the heart and blood vessels, alleviate symptoms, and enhance the patient's overall quality of life.

• Track 13-1  Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
• Track 13-2  Heart valve repair or replacement
• Track 13-3  Aneurysm repair
• Track 13-4  Congenital heart defect repair
• Track 13-5  Heart transplant

Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is a comprehensive program designed to improve the cardiovascular health and overall well-being of individuals who have experienced heart-related issues. It typically involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes exercise training, education, counseling, and support for lifestyle changes.

It is recommended for individuals who have experienced heart-related events such as heart attack, heart surgery (such as coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery), heart failure, or other forms of cardiovascular disease.

• Track 14-1  Exercise training
• Track 14-2  Education
• Track 14-3  Counseling and support
• Track 14-4  Risk factor modification
• Track 14-5  Long-term maintenance

Cardiovascular genetics is a field of study that focuses on understanding the genetic basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which affect the heart and blood vessels. These diseases include conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, and others.

In cardiovascular genetics, researchers investigate how genetic variations contribute to the risk, development, and progression of cardiovascular diseases. This involves studying the inheritance patterns of these diseases within families, identifying specific genes or genetic mutations associated with increased susceptibility to CVDs, and understanding the molecular mechanisms by which these genetic factors influence cardiovascular health.

• Track 15-1  Genetic Testing and Counseling
• Track 15-2  Epigenetics
• Track 15-3  Gene Therapy and Gene Editing
• Track 15-4  Gene-Environment Interactions
• Track 15-5  Genetic Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Preventive cardiology is a branch of medicine that focuses on preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. It involves assessing an individual's risk factors for developing heart disease and implementing strategies to reduce those risks.

Overall, the goal of preventive cardiology is to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, improve overall heart health, and enhance the quality and longevity of life for individuals at risk of heart disease.

• Track 16-1  Lifestyle Modifications
• Track 16-2  Education and Counseling
• Track 16-3  Medical Interventions
• Track 16-4  Screening Tests
• Track 16-5  Follow-up and Monitoring

Nuclear cardiology is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, called radiotracers or radiopharmaceuticals, along with specialized cameras and computer techniques to diagnose and assess various heart conditions. It combines the principles of nuclear medicine with those of cardiology.

In nuclear cardiology procedures, patients are typically administered a radiotracer, which is usually injected into the bloodstream. The radiotracer emits gamma rays, which can be detected by a gamma camera or a PET scanner. These cameras capture images of the heart, allowing physicians to assess its structure, function, blood flow, and metabolism.

• Track 17-1  Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI)
• Track 17-2  Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
• Track 17-3  Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
• Track 17-4  Cardiac Viability Studies
• Track 17-5  Clinical Applications

Cardio-Oncology is a relatively new field in medicine that focuses on the cardiovascular health of patients undergoing cancer treatment. As cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and certain targeted therapies, have improved over time, more people are surviving cancer.

Cardio-Oncologists are specialized healthcare professionals who collaborate with oncologists and other members of the healthcare team to prevent, monitor, and manage cardiovascular complications in cancer patients. They assess the patient's cardiovascular risk factors before starting cancer treatment, monitor their heart health during treatment, and provide interventions or treatments as needed to minimize the risk of cardiovascular complications.

• Track 18-1  Treatment and management
• Track 18-2  Screening and surveillance
• Track 18-3  Cardiotoxicity
• Track 18-4  Research and innovation
• Track 18-5  Multidisciplinary collaboration

Sports cardiology is a specialized branch of cardiology that focuses on the cardiovascular health of athletes and individuals who engage in regular physical activity, particularly at higher levels of intensity and performance. It combines the knowledge of cardiology with an understanding of the physiological demands of sports and exercise.

Sports cardiology aims to promote the cardiovascular health and safety of athletes and active individuals, enabling them to participate in sports and exercise while minimizing the risk of heart-related complications.

• Track 19-1  Assessment of cardiovascular health
• Track 19-2  Nutrition and Supplements
• Track 19-3  Cardiac Screening
• Track 19-4  Monitoring and Wearable Technology
• Track 19-5  Gender and Age Considerations

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition where the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is typically recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats). Normal blood pressure is typically considered to be around 120/80 mm Hg.

Treatment for hypertension typically involves lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight loss if overweight or obese, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and managing stress.

• Track 20-1  Patient Education and Support
• Track 20-2  Treatment and Management
• Track 20-3  Diagnosis and Screening
• Track 20-4  Causes and Risk Factors
• Track 20-5  Complications of Hypertension

Cardiac anesthesiology is a specialized field within anesthesiology that focuses on the care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery or procedures involving the heart. Anesthesiologists in this field are highly trained to provide anesthesia and perioperative care for patients undergoing various cardiac procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair or replacement, heart transplantation, and other complex cardiac surgeries.

Anesthesiologists in this field are highly trained to provide anesthesia and perioperative care for patients undergoing various cardiac procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair or replacement, heart transplantation, and other complex cardiac surgeries.

• Track 21-1  Anesthetic Management of Cardiac Surgery
• Track 21-2  Special Considerations in Cardiac Anesthesia
• Track 21-3  Postoperative Care and Recovery
• Track 21-4  Hemodynamic Management
• Track 21-5  Advanced Monitoring Techniques

Echocardiography is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce images of the heart. It is a non-invasive procedure that allows healthcare providers to assess the structure and function of the heart in real-time.

During an echocardiogram, a transducer (a device that emits and receives sound waves) is placed on the chest, and sound waves are directed toward the heart. These waves bounce off the heart structures and are then converted into images by a computer. Echocardiography can provide detailed information about the size of the heart chambers, the thickness of the heart walls, the movement of the heart valves, and the blood flow through the heart and its major vessels.

• Track 22-1  Pediatric Echocardiography
• Track 22-2  Advanced Techniques and Modalities
• Track 22-3  Echocardiographic Views and Imaging Techniques
• Track 22-4  Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
• Track 22-5  Clinical Applications and Interpretation

Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy refers to the use of medications to treat various conditions affecting the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels. This branch of pharmacology encompasses a wide range of drugs used to manage conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), and thrombotic disorders.

Treatment decisions are based on individual patient characteristics, the specific cardiovascular condition being treated, and considerations such as potential side effects and drug interactions. It's essential for healthcare professionals to carefully assess each patient's medical history and tailor treatment plans accordingly.

• Track 23-1  Vasodilators
• Track 23-2  Lipid-lowering agents
• Track 23-3  Anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents
• Track 23-4  Antiarrhythmics
• Track 23-5  Antihypertensives

Structural heart disease refers to a variety of congenital or acquired abnormalities in the structure of the heart. These abnormalities can affect the heart valves, chambers, walls, or major blood vessels. Structural heart disease can develop due to various factors such as genetic predisposition, aging, infection, inflammation, or injury.

Treatment may involve medications, lifestyle modifications, surgical procedures, or minimally invasive interventions such as transcatheter valve repair or replacement. Early detection and appropriate management are crucial for improving outcomes and reducing complications associated with structural heart disease.

• Track 24-1  Valvular Heart Disease
• Track 24-2  Congenital Heart Defects
• Track 24-3  Cardiomyopathies
• Track 24-4  Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections
• Track 24-5  Other Structural Abnormalities

Cardiovascular epidemiology is a branch of epidemiology that focuses on the study of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) within populations. Epidemiology itself is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.

In the context of cardiovascular epidemiology, researchers investigate the prevalence, incidence, distribution, and determinants of various cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral vascular diseases.

• Track 25-1  Risk Factors Identification
• Track 25-2  Disease Surveillance
• Track 25-3  Prevention Strategies
• Track 25-4  Health Disparities
• Track 25-5  Clinical Research

Cardiometabolic medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect both the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) and the metabolic system (including conditions like diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome).

This field integrates knowledge and practices from cardiology, endocrinology, nephrology, and other related disciplines to address the complex interplay between metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

• Track 26-1  Dyslipidemia
• Track 26-2  Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Track 26-3  Metabolic syndrome
• Track 26-4  Peripheral vascular disease
• Track 26-5  Obesity and overweight

Geriatric cardiology is a specialized branch of cardiology that focuses on the cardiovascular health of older adults, typically those aged 65 and older. It addresses the unique challenges and complexities that arise in diagnosing, treating, and managing heart conditions in this population.

They tailor their approach to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to meet the specific needs and circumstances of older patients, considering factors such as frailty, cognitive impairment, and functional status.

• Track 27-1  Multidisciplinary Care and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
• Track 27-2  Nutrition and Lifestyle Modification
• Track 27-3  Exercise and Rehabilitation
• Track 27-4  Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly
• Track 27-5  Geriatric Syndromes

Cardiovascular pathology refers to the study of diseases and disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. This field encompasses a wide range of conditions, including congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, valvular heart diseases, and vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular pathology involves understanding the underlying causes, mechanisms, manifestations, and outcomes of these diseases. It encompasses both the structural abnormalities of the heart and blood vessels as well as the functional consequences of these abnormalities on the cardiovascular system as a whole.

• Track 28-1  Genetic and inherited cardiovascular disorders
• Track 28-2  Cardiac tumors
• Track 28-3  Cardiomyopathies
• Track 28-4  Coronary artery disease
• Track 28-5  Congenital heart defects