The 10^th Viet Nam Interventional Cardiology Conference (VICC) was held in Da Nang on October 11, 2024 by the Viet Nam Interventional Cardiology Society (VICS).

Many new techniques in cardiovascular intervention are shared by domestic and international experts, helping to improve the practical capacity of doctors and medical staff in the field of cardiovascular intervention. IN PHOTO: Doctors at the Da Nang Hospital performing cardiovascular intervention. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Themed “Interventional Cardiology in the New Era: Connectivity - sharing - success”, the conference provided the opportunity for experts in interventional cardiology and related specialties to update the latest advances in interventional cardiovascular.

It also was a chance for doctors, nurses and technicians in interventional cardiology to meet, connect, exchange and share experiences, thereby enhancing the quality of cardiovascular disease treatment in Viet Nam.

According to Prof. Dr. Pham Manh Hung, Chairman of the Viet Nam Interventional Cardiology Society, interventional cardiology not only intervenes in coronary artery diseases, contributing to saving the lives of many patients, but also extends to many other cardiovascular diseases such as vascular disease, and arrhythmias (valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, myocardium, etc.).

In Viet Nam, there are now more than 140 cardiovascular intervention centres with nearly 500 doctors. Most provinces and cities have cardiovascular intervention centres and patients have the opportunity to be saved, especially patients with acute myocardial infarction who have received timely, on-site intervention.

According to a report from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, over the past two years, the number of cases requiring cardiovascular intervention in Viet Nam has increased by nearly 20% compared to previous years, especially cases of acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease.

Currently, it is estimated that more than 1.3 million Vietnamese people are living with coronary artery disease, and each year, nearly 100,000 patients undergo cardiovascular intervention procedures, including 40,000 - 50,000 cases of coronary stent placement to save patients' lives.

Moreover, the number of patients receiving intervention for other cardiovascular diseases has also increased rapidly, such as rhythm intervention, intervention for structural heart disease, and intervention for large blood vessels and peripheral blood vessels.

“Currently, there are 6 centres in Viet Nam that have been internationally certified as independent centres for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, of which 2 centres have become training ones for this technique. This also demonstrates the strong integration and development of the interventional cardiology specialty in our country,” Prof. Dr. Hung emphasised.

The conference was attended by more than 15 delegates who are leading experts in the region and the world, 140 domestic reporters and 800 guests.

Participating doctors and experts updated and shared new techniques through live broadcasts of complex intervention cases from major cardiovascular centres across the country. At the same time, new trends, techniques and experiences, and the latest research, will be presented and discussed, opening up more creative and effective approaches to intervention, as well as sharing experiences in managing complications to minimise risks for patients.

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Viet, Permanent Vice President of the Viet Nam Interventional Cardiology Society, in addition to the presentations, discussions, and separate topics, the scientific programme featured 5 interesting and complex intervention cases broadcast live from 3 major interventional cardiovascular centres under the Viet Nam National Heart Institute, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, and the Da Nang Hospital. These helped doctors and leading experts analyse, dissect, and share highly practical experiences, knowledge, and lessons.

The scientific topics were diverse, covering all areas of cardiovascular intervention, from intervention of calcified coronary arteries, common trunk, chronic occlusion, coronary imaging and physiology, drug-coated balloons to structural heart interventions including intervention of aortic, mitral, tricuspid valves, peripheral vascular intervention, and congenital heart disease.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi highlighted the significance of the large-scale medical event in offering the good opportunity for the city's medical staff to learn, gain experience, and share knowledge and skills in this field.

In recent times, the city has invested a lot of resources to build and develop the health system, meeting the healthcare needs of people in the city in particular and the region in general. Currently, it can be said that all cardiovascular diseases can be diagnosed and treated domestically quickly and effectively. This has given patients the opportunity to access modern scientific achievements right in Viet Nam without having to go abroad.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG - Translating by M.DUNG, T.TUNG