KANNUR: The two-day state convention of Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala (ICCK) which concluded here on Sunday expressed concern over the increasing number of cardiovascular diseases which account for more than 32% of adult deaths in the nation. Inaugurating the conference, Dr Balakrishnan K.P., vice-president of ICCK, said the death and disability due to heart attack and stroke can be substantially brought down by sustained monitoring of the epidemic and ensuring equitable public health.
This includes collective action by the state’s health sector with public participation in identifying and addressing genetic vulnerability and behavioural risk factors like unhealthy changes in food habits and sedentary lifestyle of people, he said, adding that residents’ associations, public health volunteers and social organisations can aid to identify risk groups and causes. ‘With the advent of angioplasty, cardiologists are now able to treat most conditions without open heart surgery. The benefits of primary angioplasty and other complex catheter based treatments should reach everyone to guarantee equitable medical care,’ he said.
Dr Deepak Davidson, Dr.Sajeev C.G, Dr Ramakrishna C.D and Dr.Vinod Thomas spoke at the inaugural session. The two-day conference will showcase interventional procedures done by expert cardiologists in complex and most challenging cases. Scientific sessions on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for replacing damaged heart valve without opening the chest is one of the main highlights of the conference.
