On 22-26 June 29th Annual Scientific Session of the American Society of Echocardiography took place in Nashville (Tennesy, USA). There was only one participant from Russia – Dr. Anna Soldatova, Scientific Researcher from Tyumen Cardiology Research Center who presented 2 poster presentations at the meeting.
“The work of our scientific group is devoted to the search of parameters that can predict the response of patients with congestive heart failure to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT),” explained the scientist. “Using different kinds of data and examination results we try to predict if the procedure is going to be effective and helpful for a certain patient. It is a topical issue: in the USA, the CRT method is quite popular and used almost in all clinics.”
The second presentation concerned evaluation methods of mechanical dyssynchrony which could also help to optimize the process of patients’ selection for CRT.
“It is important to note that treatment of congestive heart failure is very expensive and characterized by a high mortality rate,” says Anna. “We need to find specific selection criteria to help patients deal with the disease and go back to normal heart function.”
More than 300 poster presentations were showen during the Congress, and Anna’s work was among 25 ones marked with the “Rising Star Investigator” badge as done by a promising young scientist.
This year the congress was held under the motto of comprehensive young specialists support. Within the meeting, there were many interactive trainings on simulators, master classes, overview lectures. “I’m delighted how they gave us all the material: interesting and accessible,” shares Anna her impressions. “There were a lot of jokes about me arriving alone from Russia because all the rest stayed to watch football. The atmosphere was very friendly. I would like to mark out the study about the differences between standards according to patients’ ethnic and racial features. We are aware that one should take into account both pathology and standards. Recommendations should not be applied equally to any population because standards can differ. Moreover, there were many presentations on the conduct of ultrasound examination done by primary care physicians, for example in out-patient department. During the very first examination a doctor can do a primary screening (echocardiography or abdominal ultrasound) just using a portable ultrasound transducer that connects with a smartphone or a computer.”
The scientist marks that taking part in such congresses helps not only to improve professional skills but also to make sure that the work in Tyumen Cardiology Research Center meets world standards.
