Glasgow doctors lead global debate on cardiology care during coronavirus pandemic

24 Apr 2020

UPDATE – You can now watch a recording of this online event on the regularly updated COVID-19 section of our website.

Heart specialists from Glasgow are leading an international video conference next week to discuss the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on cardiac services.

Organised by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow with representation from the American College of Cardiology, Scottish Cardiac Society and University of Glasgow, the event will bring together some of Scotland’s top medical leaders to discuss ‘Coping with Corona’s Cardiac Challenges’ at a special webinar on Monday 27 April.

Senior cardiologists Professor Hany Eteiba, Professor Colin Berry and Dr Mitchell Lindsay will discuss:

•            Experiences of treating cardiac conditions during the pandemic,

•            Concerns about patients not seeking medical help when they become seriously unwell,

•            Cardiac medications and its impact on COVID-19 presentation, and

•            Diagnosis and management of myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients.

Professor Hany Eteiba, Vice President (Medical) of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Associate Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist at NHS Golden Jubilee, President of the Scottish Cardiac Society will co-chair the event with College President Professor Jackie Taylor, Consultant Physician, Medicine for the Elderly.

Professor Colin Berry, internationally-leading in cardiology research with University of Glasgow, will lead a discussion on Novel Therapies for COVID-19 with review on Managing Acute Coronary Syndromes During COVID-19 being led by Dr Mitchell Lindsay.

Professor John McMurray, University of Glasgow, and Professor Richard Kovacs, Immediate Past President of American College of Cardiology, will share their experiences on an interactive panel discussion on cardiac challenges in Scotland and the USA.

Professor Eteiba said: “We hope this international effort led by Scotland and the US will help us all better understand the effects of COVID-19 on this group of patients.

“We will be discussing important issues for people with heart problems such as practical approaches to managing heart attack patients, insights from frontline staff, emerging therapeutic options and examining ongoing research and clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19.”

Current official advice is that patients should continue with treatments for all medical conditions and attend any hospital or GP appointments that are requested unless their doctor or a member of their care team tells them otherwise.

UK and Scottish Government guidance allows people to leave their homes in order to access medical care. If you become acutely unwell and believe that you are suffering from a serious or life-threatening condition, you should seek appropriate help through NHS111, 999 or accident and emergency.

Professor Eteiba added: “The NHS remains available and well equipped to provide care for these patients. It is extremely important that people seek medical help for acute heart and lung or cancer as early as possible. Failing to seek help when it is essential may place your health, and even your life, at risk.