Coming together for cardiac care

The Irish Cardiac Society (ICS) Annual Scientific Meeting and AGM 2024 brought together cardiology specialists from across the island of Ireland, continuing the spirit of cross-border collaboration that has been carefully fostered over the decades. This year was the Society’s 75th annual meeting, and as always, the line-up of speakers and guests showed the depth of expertise that has become the hallmark of these meetings.

As it does each year, the event – which was held in Belfast on 17-19 October – also featured the meetings of the Irish Atherosclerosis Society, the Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association, and the Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Physiology. As well as presenting the latest research on all subspecialties of cardiology, the annual meetings offer a unique opportunity for networking with colleagues and industry.

The meeting was opened by ICS President Prof Pascal McKeown and attendees heard an opening address from Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA, Minister of Health for Northern Ireland.

Prof McKeown began by paying tribute to former ICS Presidents and council members for helping to develop the scientific programme and noted the significance of the 75th anniversary.

“The Society was formed on an all-island basis,” Prof McKeown told the packed auditorium. “Since its inception, ICS members have made very significant contributions to patient-centered care, have driven innovation and delivered all-island networks, as well as rapid expansion of subspecialty training across a whole range of disciplines, including cardiac imaging, coronary intervention, electrophysiology, heart failure, inherited cardiac conditions, and structural heart disease.”

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is also celebrating its 75th anniversary. In attendance were Ms Cathleen Biga, ACC President, as well as ACC past-President Prof John Harold. Other distinguished guests included Prof André Ng, President of the British Cardiovascular Society; Prof Sir Mark Caulfield, Vice Principal for Health at Queen Mary University of London, UK, who delivered the prestigious Stokes Lecture; and Prof Susanna Price, Prof Nathan Wong, and Prof Chiara Bucciarelli Ducci.

Prof McKeown acknowledged the continuing support of industry in helping to facilitate the Society’s educational needs. He said the meeting would not have been possible without the expert co-ordination of Ms Barbra Dalton, Executive Director of the ICS and the Irish Board for Training in Cardiovascular Medicine.