CME on genomics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually caused by abnormal genes. The condition results in abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. 

Professor Dhavendra Kumar, an expert in clinical genetics from the University of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom, spoke on the ‘Genomics of ‘Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy’ (HCM). 

General physicians and cardiologists who attended the talk said it was very informative as it threw light on HCM genomics and enhanced their knowledge and understanding so that it can be applied in clinical practice for treating patients and provide screening for family members.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr KM Cherian, Founder and CEO of Frontier Lifeline Hospital pointed out the need for CRY Clinic in India, adding that while the concept was well developed in the Western countries, it was non-existent in India. He said, “Cardiac Risk in Young Clinic is one such programme which is well established in Western Countries, to help affected individuals to receive treatment early by providing genetic screening / family counselling. The awareness is less in India and no dedicated set up is available to guide the patients and family members. Also, witnessing sudden death amongst the young people (less than 35 years) i.e. 1 in 4 due to cardiac pathologies, Frontier Lifeline Hospital had launched India’s first CRY clinic in March 2015 and took this initiative.” 

At the start of the programme, organised by Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Dr K M Cherian Heart Foundation, public and nursing college students were shown pathology specimens of the normal heart and heart with different type of cardiomyopathy at the Medivelle Science park. A ‘Heart lung machine’ which is used in surgical treatment of HCM was also displayed. This helped increase awareness about cardiomyopathy (especially Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), during the programme.