Takeaways from Canada’s largest cardiovascular congress

November 2, 2022
Takeaways from Canada’s largest cardiovascular congress
Our highlights from this year’s CCC include a reflection from the president of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, national strategies for heart health and more.

Cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, researchers, nurses and other cardiovascular specialists from across the country and around the globe travelled to Ottawa last week to attend the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress (CCC), the flagship event of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) and the country’s largest gathering of cardiovascular and allied health professionals.

For those who made the trip, the CCC was an opportunity to connect with other cardiovascular experts, to discover how to incorporate the latest science into their practice and to attend cutting-edge, accredited education sessions.

Through scientific sessions, interactive workshops, late-breaking clinical trials, and lively debates, the CCC in 2022 showcased some of the best cardiovascular research available.

In this edition of The Beat, we’re sharing some highlights from this year’s event.

Dr. Marc Ruel reflects on his CCS presidency

Last month, Marc Ruel, MD, completed his term as president of the CCS. In an interview with The Beat, the outgoing president and current head of the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) reflected on his time in office, CCS achievements and what the opportunity has meant to him personally.

“It has been an honour to serve as president, and I humbly thank all CCS members who steadfastly and generously lend ideas, energy and commitment to our remarkable Society, 75 years strong,” writes Dr. Ruel in an October issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. “I look forward to navigating the uncharted waters that the future holds, with you.”

National strategies are needed to improve cardiovascular care

Thais Coutinho, MD, head of the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, and chair of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre at the UOHI, called for a national strategy in women’s heart health.

Earlier this year, The Beat published an article in which we called valvular heart disease the next cardiovascular epidemic in Canada. Following a workshop on the closing day of the congress, Dr. Messika-Zeitoun outlined for us the importance of early detection and screening of heart valve disease at the primary and cardiology care level and laid out the recommended components of a national strategy.

His comments are based on a white paper published by the Institute of Health Economics, which is available online.

Physicians and researchers from the Heart Institute receive national recognition

The CCS bestowed Recognition Awards upon Rob Beanlands, MD, who received an Achievement Award; and Dr. Thais Coutinho accepted the CCS’s Harold N. Segall Award of Merit on behalf of the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance.

In addition, Benjamin Chow, MD, was recognized with the Dr. Michael Freeman Annual Achievement Award from The Canadian Society of Cardiovascular Nuclear and CT Imaging.

Kyoung-Han Kim, PhD, won the Cardiometabolic Research Award, an annual accolade jointly created by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, the Heart & Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, and the BI-Lilly Alliance.

Our news release highlights the recipients from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute who received awards at this year's congress.

We hope you enjoyed this look back at this year’s Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.

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