University holds 40th International Congress on Electrocardiology
Issued: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:42:00 BST
17th SEPTEMBER 2013
The 40th International Congress on Electrocardiology was held in the University from 7th-10th of August with the Local Organising Committee containing a number of individuals from the Institute itself. The meeting was attended by approximately 220 delegates and accompanying persons, which was a high attendee turnout for this particular conference.
On Wednesday 7th August, there was a one day workshop on the ECG pattern of early repolarization that was attended by some of the leading researchers in this area. The aim of the workshop was to review current understanding and confusing definitions of early repolarisation in order to produce, in due course, a consensus paper which will clearly define early repolarization so that future research work will be based on agreed ECG measurements.
This ECG abnormality has recently become associated with life threatening idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, as highlighted by Professor Michel Haissaguerre from Bordeaux. Dr Charles Antzelevitch, one of the leading cardiac cellular electrophysiologists in this field who predicted that the ECG pattern could be arrhythmogenic, also participated in the workshop. Other notable contributors included Professor Heikki Huikuri from Finland, Dr Raphael Rosso from Israel and Professor Gan-Xin Yan from the USA.
Following the conclusion of the workshop there was a Civic Reception hosted by the City of Glasgow in the Wolfson Medical School which was attended by all delegates to the Congress.
The Congress was formally opened on Thursday by the Director of ICAMS, Professor Rhian Touyz, who was then followed by Dr Hein Wellens, one of the father figures of electrocardiography. Dr Wellens presented a plenary lecture underlining the value of 12 lead electrocardiography. To compliment this, a second plenary lecture was given by Professor Michel Haissaguerre, who talked about the mapping of atrial fibrillation using a technique developed by the third plenary speaker, Professor Yoram Rudy from St Louis, USA.
The remainder of the conference included many excellent sessions on cellular modelling, particularly of atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrhythmias and more general topics in electrocardiography. There were also sessions on sudden cardiac death and risk prediction.
In the annual Young Investigator’s Competition it was Dr Allan Kelly, a Glasgow PhD graduate from ICAMS currently working in Norway, who was triumphant amid a very competitive shortlist.
The Congress was treated to a first class social programme this year which included a visit to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a Distillery (actually two to spread the load!) and Stirling Castle, with a couple of dinners thrown in for good measure! Guests participated in a mini ceilidh at the Gala Dinner, which was a first for many attendees from overseas.
Following the meeting, many congratulatory messages were received suggesting that participants greatly enjoyed the meeting from both an academic and social point of view – with some even saying it was the best conference they had ever attended!
This year’s Congress was deemed a great success by all attendees and many congratulatory messages were received stating that it was enjoyed from both an academic and social point of view – with numerous guests even saying it was the best conference they had ever attended!
Local Organising Committee:
Colin Berry, Derek Connelly, Peter Macfarlane, Rachel Myles, Andrew Rankin, Godfrey Smith, Tony Workman.
For further information contact Prof Peter Macfarlane, Honarary Senior Research Fellow (Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences): Peter.Macfarlane@glasgow.ac.uk