"Innovation-driven is a national policy, and China can only be truly strong by replacing old growth drivers with new ones at a faster pace. As emphasized in the communiqué of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued this year, adhere to the central position of innovation in the overall situation of China's modernization, innovation-driven development strategy, improve the national innovation system, and accelerate the construction of a strong country in science and technology. To better demonstrate that innovation in Chinese medical profession has entered a new stage and that physicians have gradually played a key driving role in medical innovation, the highlight of this year's conference remains 'New Chinese Originality', which aims to focus on new theories, concepts, technologies and strategies that have been uniquely created by Chinese physicians in the past year. " This was the highlight of this year's conference as presented by the current chairman, Prof. Yan Yao of Fu Wai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, at the 5th Asia Cardiac Arrhythmia Summit and the 2nd China Cardiac Arrhythmia Summit (CCAS 2020) held in Chongqing on November 6, 2020.
The conference was organized by the Asia Heart Rhythm Association (ACAS) and hosted by the Beijing Ivy Medical Expert League. The conference was attended by Prof. Xuebin Li from People's Hospital of Peking University, Prof. Lianjun Gao from the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Prof. Jiangui He from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Prof. Hua Fu from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Prof. Ruxing Wang from Wuxi People's Hospital, Prof. Zhaoguang Liang from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Prof. Yifu Li from Fu Wai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Jinlin Zhang from Wuhan Asian Cardiac Hospital, Prof. Pingzhen Yang of Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Prof. Yanmin Yang of Fuwai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Xiaohan Fan of Fuwai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Min Tang of Fuwai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Prof. Jiafeng Lin of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Prof. Weibin Huang of Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, Prof. Hongde Hu of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Prof. Ling Ma of Lanzhou General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Region, Guizhou Province Prof. Ma Ling of Lanzhou General Hospital, Prof. Long Yang of Guizhou Cardiovascular Hospital, Prof. Cai Heng of General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Prof. Fan Jie of the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province and other domestic experts in the field of cardiac arrhythmia. The conference always advocates practicality, innovation, equality and communication, and is oriented to front-line operators. It closely integrates clinical problems, and builds a high-end platform for young and middle-aged physicians to showcase themselves and make a progress in the form of lectures and case discussions.
Looking back on the development of CCAS, Prof. Yao said, "At first we envisioned a special session with 'innovation' as the theme, and found it difficult to make it happen with only two or three topics. It is a welcome development that the theme of 'innovation' can be used throughout the conference, and that there are even branch venues, with multiple sessions being held simultaneously. In particular, we have invited these dedicated, progressive, young and mid-career clinicians to the podium to share their latest innovations in the field of cardiac arrhythmias."
Shining the light of Chinese innovation on the world stage
Regarding the origin of the content of the 'New Chinese Original' lecture topic, Prof. Yao said, "It is mainly derived from the original Chinese led literature published in the top international journals in the cardiovascular field, which publish original clinical results of Chinese people themselves. The aim is to let clinicians know that more and more original and even disruptive technologies are emerging in China! This is what the conference always advocates and encourages, and can truly be a window for everyone to understand the state of medical development in China and to be able to dialogue with the world, ultimately improving the level of scientific research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of physicians in China".
Touching the pain points and exploring win-win solutions for the "crux"
The special session on complications has always been the most unique and important card of the conference. According to Prof. Yao, CCAS is the first academic conference in China that pioneered the topic of "complications", although "complications" is indeed a pain point that no one is willing to touch, but I am glad that more and more people are able to look at this issue objectively and rationally, and frankly present each case for full communication and discussion. I believe that only by consistently conducting special sessions on complications, the quality of clinical work of the majority of medical practitioners will be improved in the future, and the recurrence of complications will be reduced, so that better services can be provided to patients.
Gathering the power of women physicians to be the brightest light
As the most beautiful scenery, Beauty in EP once again provided a stage for many excellent female electrophysiologists to communicate with each other and grow together. Prof. Xiaomei Li from the First Affiliated Hospital of Tsinghua University, Prof. Li Li from Changhai Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Naval Military Medical University, Prof. Lihua Shang from the First Affiliated Hospital of Tsinghua University and Prof. Anli Tang from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University attended this event.
In the opening ceremony of the special session, Prof. Yao emphasized that women play an important role in the field of cardiac electrophysiological intervention in China with their unique delicate, serious and persistent spirit, and hoped that we would grow together and move forward together to unite the strength of female electrophysiologists in China and become the most outstanding one.
At the meeting, Prof. Yumei Xue of Guangzhou Provincial People's Hospital and Prof. Lihui Zheng of Fu Wai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, as the main preparatory leaders, expressed their hope that medical colleagues would pay more attention to and support the growth of female electrophysiologists, provide them with more help and offer better development space, so as to better mobilize the enthusiasm of female physicians, smooth the relationship between family and career, and promote exchanges and cooperation at home and abroad. Today, this is the stage for female electrophysiologists, where we share the difficult and hot spots of the industry with each other, and progress together to climb the academic peak.
Combining theory and practice to enhance dual training
Nowadays, radiofrequency ablation of cardiac arrhythmias has undergone many years of development, and a certain procedural consensus has been formed in the management of typical and simple arrhythmia cases, but under the general trend of precision medicine, all operators do not stop exploring and researching the methods of disease treatment, especially when it comes to complex arrhythmias, different operators have different methods, and, moreover, there is no absolute right or wrong approach.
In particular, we explored the rules and techniques of solving problems through discussing more clinical cases, so that we can respond more calmly when we encounter similar problems in the future. At the same time, we also added a septal puncture simulator and a catheter operation practice session to ensure the learning and understanding of the classroom contents and the diversity of the training contents.
Finally, Prof. Yao said in the closing ceremony that "In this year, the conference inherits the excellent style and successful model of previous sessions, and I believe that through the organizing committee's requirement that all speakers must share their experiences and innovations and lessons learned, every participant will be able to gain something and return with a full load. This time, due to the epidemic of COVID-19, the Asia Cardiac Arrythmia Summit will be held online later."
The way was long, and wrapped in gloom did seem, as I urged on to seek my vanished dream. In the conference, through sharing and discussion, we learn from each other and grow together. Today, ACAS & CCAS are working together with Chongqing to forge ahead and chase our dreams, and we look forward to meeting again next year to share the academic feast!