On October 24, 2017, the Opening Ceremony of the Russian National Congress of Cardiology 2017 took place in ExpoForum — the largest Convention and Exhibition Centre in Saint-Petersburg. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Health Veronika Skvortsova, Governor of St. Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Vyacheslav Makarov and President of the Russian Society of Cardiology Prof. Evgeny Shlyakhto.
During her welcome address, Minister Veronika Skvortsova put special emphasis on the fact that the number of cardiovascular diseases in Russia in the latest five years has decreased from 58% to 48% thanks to 593 vascular centers and departments established in the country. In many cases, the approaches to medical care, including the cases of acute coronary syndrome, has completely changed as well. Thrombolysis methods are now used in 55% of patients with ACS, whereas five years ago it was only 19%, the number of percutaneous interventions — stenting and angioplasty- increased at 2.5 times.
Prof. Evgeny Shlyakhto sincerely thanked the Minister for the support and kind attitude and presented her with the gold medal of the Russian Society of Cardiology for the contribution to the CVD prevention in the Russian Federation.
According to Prof. Evgeny Shlyakhto, the future of Cardiology is associated with the new technologies, such as wireless pacemakers and genetic interventions, as well as telemedicine and team approach to the cardiovascular patients’ treatment. Thanks to successful integration of the Russian Society of Cardiology into the international medical community, the delegates of the Congress had an opportunity not only to meet with the most distinguished Russian experts but also learn from and exchange experience with their foreign colleagues.
This year, more than 5,000 doctors and researchers took part in the key national event in the field of Cardiology. The scientific programme included lectures, plenary sessions, scientific symposia, oral sessions, poster presentations, contest of young scientists and training schools for practicing doctors. During the Congress, an exhibition of medical equipment and drugs was organized where the participants could undergo screening procedures to determine CVD risk factors (blood glucose and cholesterol levels, anthropometry and blood pressure measurement).
In addition, during the Congress a special zone of master classes and practical seminars with simulation equipment and devices was organized and raised particular interest of the delegates.