Doha, Qatar, 11 September 2019: Sidra Medicine has transmitted via broadband WiFi, live interventional cardiac procedures from its cardiac catheterization laboratories in Qatar to a delegation of over 800 healthcare professionals at the 22nd Annual Pediatric and Adult Interventional Cardiac Symposium (PICS-AICS) in San Diego in the United States of America.
PICS-AICS is one of the largest cardiac symposiums dedicated to the latest breakthroughs in the treatment of patients with congenital and structural heart diseases. PICS-AICS was founded by Professor Ziyad M. Hijazi in 1997 and attracts hundreds of delegates from all over the world. Prof. Hijazi is the Chairman of PICS-AICS and also Executive Chair of Medicine and the Medical Director of the world-class Heart Center at Sidra Medicine.
This year’s PICS-AICS symposium, which took place from 4th to 7th September 2019 in San Diego, focused on Quality and Outcomes. In addition to presentations and abstracts, the symposium aired taped and live cases evaluating congenital and structural heart diseases as well as interventions such as minimally invasive hybrid ventricular septal defect closure, lymphatic interventions and ductal stenting.
Prof. Ziyad M. Hijazi, Executive Chair of Medicine and Director of the Sidra Medicine Heart Center said: “The goal of establishing PICS-AICS is to educate doctors and nurses about the latest scientific and technological advances in the field of congenital and structural cardiac defects. It gives me great pride that for the second year running, our team at Sidra Medicine transmitted two live cases from Qatar, to the delegates in the USA. We were among only 11 centers chosen worldwide to feature live case demonstrations. It was a fantastic opportunity to highlight our cutting-edge techniques and highly skilled teams. For a main hospital that has only been operational for a year and a half, it also showcases our advances in the field of interventional cardiology.”
Prof. Hijazi who welcomed the delegates at PICS-AICS also moderated the live cases throughout the four-day symposium and closed the event.
“PICS-AICS also continues to extend its philosophy of developing congenital and structural catheterization throughout the world. It works very closely with the United States Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies in Europe and Asia to help bring novel technologies for children and adults with congenital heart disease,” concluded Prof. Hijazi.
A team led by Dr. Younes Boudjemline, Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at Sidra Medicine’s Heart Center, conducted the live interventional cardiac procedures in Qatar. The two patients a child and an adult, were born with congenital heart defects.
Both patients, had a narrow aorta (coarctation) leading to high blood pressure. Dr. Boudjemline’s and his team used a minimally invasive technique on the patients, to successfully address the narrowing with the use of balloon angioplasty and stent technique.
Dr. Boudjemline said: “Sidra Medicine is committed to staying on top of the leading technologies that will transform the treatment and care of our patients and establish our Heart Center as a center of excellence. As a hospital that is also dedicated to medical education, PICS-AICS is a great platform to showcase our expertise on the global stage. Both the live cases were successful and the patients have been discharged. The cases also put the spotlight on Qatar’s investment in the teams and technologies that are transforming healthcare for the people of Qatar as well as our international patients.”
The Sidra Medicine Heart Center provides preventative, medical, and surgical care for patients with congenital heart disease (including adults) or acquired heart conditions in children and young people. The Center boasts a world-renowned team, cutting edge facilities and a best-in-class model that delivers comprehensive “one-stop” care for patients and their families.
To read the Arabic press release, please click here.
For more information about Sidra Medicine and its Heart Center, visit www.sidra.org.
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