4th QISCPR Newsletter

A festive mood reigned over this 5th edition of the Québec International Symposium, as was demonstrated by the 600 guests who attended the outdoor dinner on Thursday evening. "It is, without a doubt, the most successful one to date," concluded Jean Jobin regarding the 2007 edition. He pointed out the impressive quality of the interventions, including those from students, and congratulated the team of volunteers for its remarkable work. (June 18)

Dr. Paul Poirier, cardiologist at Laval Hospital in Québec, had quite the surprise in store for the audience attending the contradictory debate on Friday afternoon. After fighting tooth and nail to defend his initial viewpoint, he renounced everything and joined sides with his colleague Martin Juneau of the Montreal Heart Institute. What a show! (June 18)

"Rehabilitation is the best way to treat COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients," confirmed Dr. Marc Decramer from the University of Louvain's hospital centre, in Belgium, during the Jean-Jacques Gauthier Memorial Lecture. But it requires patience and perseverance: the physiological effects of a more active lifestyle are only noticeable after at least 3 months. (June 18)

In 2005, the American Heart Association recommended that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) start exercising as soon as they are able. However, the benefits of this approach were not proven in any major study. Therefore, with this in mind, Sylvie Legault embarked on her post-doctoral research in cardiology, in the fall of 2005. (June 18)

Dr. Jean Jobin was presented with a merit award during last night's banquet. (June 14)

Coughing, breathlessness, expectoration . . . your patient may be suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Especially if he is a smoker or a former smoker. In fact, this respiratory tract disease is the sword of Damocles for cigarette lovers: in 80% to 90% of all cases, tobacco is the main cause. (June 14)

It was during yesterday afternoon's forum of experts on the link between obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), that pneumologist François Maltais raised this controversy. He asked the experts in attendance what they thought of the obesity paradox whereby, regarding COPD patients, as the body mass index (BMI) rises, so does the rate of survival. "It's hot, it's comfortable and without cholesterol, our brain would melt," said Dr. Maltais, jokingly, with reference to the likely advantages of a very high BMI level! But, in spite of the many reactions this produced, the paradox has not been resolved and Dr. Maltais concluded that "I am not ready to recommend that my normal COPD patients gain weight to live longer." (June 14)

Some 50 people are standing in a room, barefoot, slowly moving in silence. This is not what one would expect to find at a convention. Their guide, researcher and professor of psychology Jim Spira, was impressed with the agility in the participants' movements during yesterday's tai chi and meditation workshop. He is certain that, at least "they'll know that it isn't some strange Chinese martial art." (June 14)

Last year Patrice Dionne received a liver and a heart. In light of his remarkable rehabilitation, he was awarded the Jean-Pelletier Award for patient emeritus. "I am a miracle and I owe it to society," he said at the outdoor banquet that took place under a garden tent overlooking the Montmorency Falls. (June 14)

Our natural tendency towards laziness is at the root of cardiovascular diseases, states Dr. Salim Yusuf. "Our genes will not save us. They have not evolved since the time when our grand-parents lived. It's our lifestyle that has changed." Last night at the President's Reception, Dr. Yusuf gave a remarkable lecture during which he presented a very complete diagram of the situation of cardiovascular diseases throughout the world. (June 13, 2007)

Summer 2000. Sylvain Bouchard received a new heart. Three years later, he climbed Mont Blanc in the Chamonix valley, accompanied by his cardiologist, Michel White, from the Montreal Heart Institute! "Pumped" by this adventure, the two men do a repeat performance in 2004 and climbed Mount Sajama in Bolivia, along with other researchers and with Dave Smith, President of the Canadian Transplant Association. (June 13, 2007)

Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart problems are the basis for a new venture from the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale (ASSSCN): the Traité Santé/Health Treaty. This program promotes a change in lifestyle habits to improve the well-being of the population, reduce the rate of cardiovascular diseases and lessen the frequency of visits to the doctor. (June 13, 2007)

The organizing committee for the Quebec International Symposium on Cardiopulmonary Prevention/Rehabilitation is celebrating its ten-year anniversary! From a simple idea, the event has become a noted bi-annual event attended by speakers from Canada, France, the United States, Belgium and more. This year, we're welcoming a record number: 800 people. That's two reasons to celebrate! (June 12)

Dr. Salim Yusuf learned a long time ago that asking simple questions of a large number of people can save lives. To do this, he created a research method that casts a wide net and makes use of statistical calculations and meta-analysis. Applied to medicine and cardiology, this approach can measure treatment effectiveness in order to make improvements.(June 12)

Since 2004, the direction of cardiovascular prevention has been set by a major pan-European program, EuroAction. English cardiologist Susan Connolly is coming to Quebec to present the results of the program, whose mission is to improve standards in practice.(June 12)

You already know that meditation and tai-chi can improve a patient's health. But are you familiar with all the physical and psychological benefits they provide? And more importantly, have you ever tried them yourself? (June 12)

The Symposium website

This newsletter has been produced by Agence Science-Presse.