Colombia hosts international conference to address heart failure challenges in Latin America

• Heart failure and cardiogenic shock represent a serious global public health issue, with high morbidity and mortality rates and significant economic impacts on healthcare systems. In Latin America, barriers to early diagnosis and treatment, along with a lack of specialized training in the region, exacerbate this situation.
• The Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia (FCV) and its Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) are organizing the First International Heart Failure Congress: "Rise of the Machines, a Window to the Future," a free event where all stakeholders involved in the diagnosis and management of heart failure can access advanced training and innovations tailored to the specific needs of Latin American patients.
• As a reference center in heart failure and mechanical circulatory assistance, the FCV aims to promote education and innovation in high-complexity cardiovascular treatments through this event. The goal is to improve patient quality of life and foster international collaboration in healthcare, positioning Colombia as a strategic ally in the fight against these diseases.
• It is worth noting that the Hospital Internacional de Colombia is part of the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia’s medical complex, an institution with over 35 years of experience in cardiovascular health and medical excellence.

Bucaramanga, Colombia, November 2024. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), heart failure and cardiogenic shock account for approximately 31% of all deaths in Latin America, surpassing even cancer and respiratory diseases. Advanced heart failure, in particular, places a significant burden on both patients' quality of life and healthcare costs. This situation is worsened by the late diagnosis of the disease, a lack of medical and technological resources, high treatment costs, and a shortage of specialized professionals in the region, which limits timely access to care. The absence of early diagnostic strategies and educational programs further aggravates this condition.

In response to these challenges, the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia (FCV) and the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) are organizing the First International Heart Failure Congress: "Rise of the Machines, a Window to the Future," on November 7th and 8th. This event will provide a platform to present the latest innovations in the management of these pathologies and encourage international collaboration, with the goal of improving treatment perspectives in the region.

"This is a meeting for specialists in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, cardiovascular intensive care, and cardiovascular anesthesia," explains Dr. Leonardo Salazar Rojas, director of the ECMO and Artificial Heart Program at HIC Instituto Cardiovascular, highlighting the congress's comprehensive approach. "It is an event for the multidisciplinary team, where we will conduct and learn through conferences and workshops on managing patients with advanced heart failure. It also includes approaches to options like heart transplantation, ventricular assistance, and the artificial heart."

Dr. Salazar emphasizes the increasingly relevant role of mechanical circulatory support devices, designed to temporarily or permanently replace heart function.

A local approach to a global issue

Dr. Lorena Montes Villalobos, cardiovascular surgeon and medical leader at the Center of Excellence in Myocardial Revascularization at HIC Instituto Cardiovascular, explains that significant barriers to specialized training in advanced heart failure remain in Latin America. "Unlike in Europe and the United States, educational opportunities in our region are very limited, and physicians interested in this field often face language barriers and high costs to access international programs." Dr. Montes adds that unique characteristics of Latin American patients, such as the prevalence of Chagas disease, mean that required treatments differ from those applied in other contexts.

A high-level congress tailored to the Latin American reality

This free congress provides healthcare professionals with access to advanced knowledge and innovative techniques for treating heart failure and cardiogenic shock. "The lack of specialized training in these diseases represents a risk for patients and healthcare systems. That’s why we designed this event to meet our region’s specific needs," explains Dr. Lorena Montes.

The surgeon also emphasizes that the congress considers the specific conditions of Latin America, offering practices and solutions adapted to this context. Furthermore, as a reference center, the FCV hopes this initiative will allow it to share its experience and open opportunities for collaboration with other institutions, whether through strategic alliances or patient referrals.

Innovation and expertise: Key themes of the congress

The congress program is organized into four thematic blocks that comprehensively address the management and treatment of heart failure. The first block focuses on the fundamentals of heart failure management, covering key aspects such as creating specialized programs and Centers of Excellence. This block explores how to develop effective and sustainable programs, define expected outcomes, implement basic management strategies, and apply advanced therapies to improve patient quality of life.

The second block, titled "Navigating the storm," focuses on strategies for managing refractory heart failure and cardiogenic shock. During this session, experts will share their experience in treating complex cases, offering an updated perspective on managing refractory patients and presenting guidelines on using circulatory support devices in critical situations.

In the third block, called "The World of LVAD," the challenges and solutions in managing long-term ventricular assist devices will be thoroughly addressed. Next-generation devices such as HeartMate 3 and Corheart 6 will be presented, with discussions on topics like indications, types, and implantation techniques, postoperative management, and outpatient care. This session will also include direct interaction with patients, allowing participants to observe firsthand the effects of these devices on users' daily lives.

Finally, the fourth block is a hands-on workshop on advanced heart failure, designed to engage all attendees in simulations of complex clinical cases. Through practical stations, participants will work in teams to analyze patients' physiological conditions, identify appropriate interventions, and refine their skills in the comprehensive management of advanced heart failure.

The organization of this event in Colombia reaffirms the institution’s commitment to education and heart failure treatment in Latin America. “We anticipate that this congress will offer a platform for exchange and learning among healthcare professionals, positioning Colombia as a key ally in innovation and education in complex cardiovascular treatments,” comments Dr. Montes Villalobos.

With a solid track record in research and medical training, the FCV stands out as a center of excellence in comprehensive cardiovascular care and mechanical circulatory support, promoting continuous improvements in patient health across the region.

"Our center has the most experience in Latin America with these technologies, so it is an opportunity to share our strategies and knowledge with colleagues from the region," states Dr. Leonardo Salazar.

Registration and participation

This free and globally accessible congress offers a unique opportunity to stay updated on the latest techniques and devices for treating heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Interested professionals can register through the event website for more details: click here