Experts join forces in world first Asia Pacific Cardio Renal Forum
The Asia Pacific Cardio Renal Forum was held in Sydney on the 8th and 9th of May, and was a chance for cardio-renal professionals and experts in the Asia-Pacific region to address management methods and the association between, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Professor Vlado Perkovic, Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health Australia, gave the commencement address at the world first forum, using the opportunity to discuss rising numbers of mortality in low income countries.
The forum included local and international speakers including The George Institute for Global Health’s Professor Vlado Perkovic and Associate Professor Clara Chow.
Professor Perkovic said that awareness of the relationship between kidney diseases and cardiovascular disease has become more apparent over recent years, and that awareness of this link is essential to management of these chronic diseases.
“Cardio-metabolic causes lead to 60% of global deaths annually and 80% these deaths occur in low income countries – a large number in the Asia-Pacific region.
“In low income countries cardiovascular deaths are expected to rise up to 2020, while remaining stable in high income countries due to improved prevention strategies.
“The risk factors for renal and cardiovascular diseases are shared and the effects of cardiovascular treatments may be impaired by the presence of CKD.”
International speakers at the forum included Professor Per-Henrik Groop, Professor of Nephrology at the University of Helsinki, who presented potential new treatment options for diabetic kidney disease, Professor Xueqing Yu, Chairperson of the China CKD Alliance and the President-elect of the Chinese Society of Nephrology, who discussed how cardio-vascular disease has become a major public health issue in China and Dr Orson Moe, Professor of Internal Medicine and Physiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who addressed mechanisms of vascular calcification.
