SWAAC ELSO Conference 2023 Begins In Abu Dhabi With Global Experts Discussing ECMO Innovations

The 11th Annual South West Asia and Africa Chapter of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (SWAAC ELSO) Conference began in Abu Dhabi. Over 1,000 international experts in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) attended. The event started with a keynote by Dr. Duane Caneva, who outlined the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi's (DoH) vision for integrating ECMO into the health system.

Dr. Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi and Dr. Salama Bin Rafeea were present at the opening ceremony, alongside leaders from CCAD and SKMC. Drs Salman Abdulaziz and Vivek Kakar emphasized Abu Dhabi's role in coordinating complex care like ECMO with regional partners. "These workshops are specifically designed to instruct participants in catheterisation techniques and address common complications associated with the extracorporeal life support (ECLS) programme," he added.

The first day featured sessions on 2024 research findings, global ECMO updates, and its role in severe heart failure cases. Experts from various countries shared insights on monitoring tools for these patients. Speakers hailed from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Netherlands, Canada, India, Australia, United States, Italy, and France.

Two workshops ran alongside the conference: one on pediatric ECMO and another on cannulation techniques. Both received positive feedback from over 50 attendees. These workshops aimed to enhance practical skills among participants.

On the sidelines of the conference, a variety of devices related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and mechanical circulatory support were showcased. This exhibition provided attendees with insights into the latest technological advancements in the field.

The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi endorsed the conference along with the Department of Culture and Tourism. The DoH accredited it for continuing medical education with 22.55 hours allocated for this purpose and 44 hours for workshops.

The conference highlighted Abu Dhabi's commitment to advancing healthcare through collaboration and innovation in ECLS technologies. By bringing together global experts, it fostered knowledge exchange crucial for future developments in patient care within this specialised field.

With inputs from WAM