PSPC Goes to Singapore for 1st Asia-Pacific Echo Course on Congenital Heart Disease

Twenty-eight members of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology (PSPC) led by their President Dr. Ninfa J. Villanueva attended the 1st Asia Pacific Echocardiography Course on Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) held at the National University Hospital System (NUHS) Tower Block, Singapore last March 8 to 10, 2019.

The organizing committee of the 3-day course headed by Dr. Ching Kit Chen offered a “comprehensive basic-to-advanced echocardiographic imaging overview of CHD with the primary objectives to advance the knowledge and practical skillset of physicians, trainees and sonographers in the performance and interpretation of congenital heart disease with echocardiography”.

The outline of the course consisted of an overview of image acquisition and optimization of congenital echocardiography, introduction to cardiac morphology and imaging-pathologic correlation with congenital echocardiography, update in basic and advanced techniques to assessing ventricular function in children and overview of complementary diagnostic imaging modalities such as 3D printed models.

Day 1 included session I. Introduction to Echocardiography for CHD, session II. Echocardiographic-morphologic correlation (ECM) of situs and abnormalities and interatrial communication, sessions III to IV: ECM of VSD, AVSD and left –sided obstruction lesions and coarctation of the aorta and session V: live scanning of pediatric echocardiography, ASD, VSD and AVSD.

Day 2 included sessions VI: Echo-morphologic correlation of TGA and congenitally-corrected TGA, session VII: Abnormal origins of coronary arteries, sessions VIII: ECM of Tetralogy of Fallot and Double-outlet right ventricle, session IX: EMC of functional single ventricle circulation and session X. Live-scanning of CHD.

Day 3 included session XI: Assessment of Ventricular Function, session XII: Advanced techniques in CHD Imaging and session XIII: Live scanning of ventricular function.

The excellent faculty included: Cheng Kit Chen, Tina Almeida (Tonto, Canada), Leo Lopez (Palo Alto, USA), Mark Friedberg (Toronto, Canada), Andrew Cook (London, UK), Jan Marek (London, UK), Bryn Jones (Melbourne, Australia), Folkert Meijboom (Ultrecht, Netherlands), Deanne Yim (Perth, Australia), Tom Gentles (Auckland, NZ), Yiu-Fai Cheng (HK) and Luc Mertens (Toronto, Canada).

The PSPC members who attended the course were: Dr. Rachelle Angeli R. Ninalga, Dr. Emely G. Anupol, Dr. Ma. Ina de la Paz Bunyi, Dr. Paul Anthony G. Tan, Dr. Regente I. Lapak, Dr. Ma. Rhodora G. de Leon, Dr. Desiree R. Gubantes, Dr. Ma. Consuelo Dolores L. Tumaneng, Dr. Eleanor Florencia M. Portigo, Dr. Magdalena J. Lagamayo, Dr. Aurora S. Gampona, Dr. Rosemarie P. Castronuevo, Dr. Sheldon P. Paragas, Dr. Zenny A. Peli, Dr. Kim Martin G. Tolentino, Dr. Mabel A. Targa, Dr. Josephine M. de la Cerna, Dr. Jade Marie M. Torralba- Visayas, Dr. Maria Estrellita A. Alarcon, Dr. Maria Concepcion C. Sison, Dr. Mary Jane S. Villanueva, Dr. Lottie A. Uy, Dr. Rea L. Franco, Dr. Maria Shela Salaya-Ruffert, Dr. Sheila Eleanor R. Yap, Dr. Jonally P. Redona. Dr. Emily U. Curameng and Dr. Ninfa J. Villanueva.

Aside from a chance to visit some of the wonderful places in Singapore, it was indeed a fruitful learning experience!

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