The International Medical Center (IMC) hosted the 4th ECHO Conference, featuring a group of renowned cardiologists. The main objective of this conference was to explore recent developments, current practices and future diagnostic methods in the field of Echocardiography, bringing together number of rare cardiovascular disease cases as to discuss advanced researches and work papers in the field. Dr. Alaauldeen Khalil, Consultant of Echocardiography, IMC and Congress President, reported that Dr. Hani Mohammed, Associate Consultant of Cardiology, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center have shed the light on the Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation procedure (TAVI); which is considered the latest non-surgical aortic valve implantation as well as the role of Echo in this procedure. During this year's conference, Dr. Alaauldeen presented a diagnosis of a rare Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) case discoursed by a group of experienced cardiologist; thus opening new horizons for developing advanced diagnostic methods for cases that have been difficult to diagnose in the past. Dr. Haitham Al-Shorafaa, Consultant of Cardiology at Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Riyadh, spoke at the conference, presented two worksheets aimed to tackle the challenges of mitral valve regurgitation and its repair by mitral valve clip with catheterization. He also presented a worksheet for left atrial appendage occlusion (Watchman device) which prevents the forming of blood clots in the heart of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. These worksheets aimed to manifest the important role of Echo in terms of guiding cardiologist during operations using catheterization, and it counts as the latest means in preventing patients with atrial fibrillation from strokes without using anticoagulants. For the first time this year, the conference offered a space for a 3D echocardiography workshop led by a specialized team of German Cardiologists with the world's most advanced devices. More than 120 cardiologists from across the Kingdom attended and received training at this work shop. The 4th Echo conference is one of IMC's programs patronized by IMC Academy which was established for continuing medical education and raising the professional level of Saudi doctors.
