ESC and Chinese Society join forces on CVD death epidemic

International collaboration is a key stated objective of the ESC’s Global Scientific Activities (GSA) committee, which oversaw the Society’s attendance.  A senior faculty from the ESC presented a series of practical case discussions jointly chaired with the Chinese Society of Cardiology.

The ESC’s educational programme² presented at the congress provided an overview of its recent meetings and an insight into new and updated ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines.  The programme summarised the role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors as the cornerstone of CVD management and consideredtreatment strategies for a range of conditions.  These included atrial fibrillation (AF), valvular heart disease, and non- ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

The ESC also highlighted relevant risk factor statistics³ for the adult population in China, showing the scale of the challenge:

• CVD mortality rates are more than double the typical European value
• Obesity levels have increased from 21% in 2002 to 36% in 2010
• Over 30% of the population have high blood pressure and cholesterol
• Around 50% of males are regular smokers

The ESC was represented by its President, Professor Michel Komajda, along with members of the ESC Board, and a number of eminent cardiologists that include authors of its most recent ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines.  “We are very proud to be part of this joint initiative that will further strengthen the links between China and the ESC,” says Professor Komajda. “We hope that the interactive programme…will lead to in-depth discussions around the important medical issues that we meet in daily practice.”

“It’s not just about the ESC sharing its knowledge; there is a lot we can learn from our Chinese colleagues too,” said Professor Fausto Pinto, the ESC Vice-President responsible for National Societies and Affiliated Societies, and a member of the GSA Committee.  “This visit represents a great opportunity to build long-term relationships that span all aspects of cardiology research, diagnosis, treatment, and – of course – prevention”.

References

1 World Health Organization (Department of Measurement and Health Information, 2010)

2 The full ESC scientific programme to be presented at the Great Wall International Congress of Cardiology can be found here (http://media.ne.cision.com/l/gaqrqjug/escardio.org/congresses/global-activities/china/GWICC/Pages/welcome.aspx)

3 China statistics.  World Health Organization.  NCD Country Profiles, 2011. (Available from: http://www.who.int/nmh/countries/chn_en.pdf)