Cardiocore 2024: Advance Workshop in Cardiac Surgery

A jewel of surgical learning sits atop Bukit Lanjan and its name is Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (DSH2), which also happens to be the venue of CardioCore2024, our exclusive cardiac surgery workshop. For 8 productive hours on the 25th of August, 32 driven members of MSSS learned from the master surgeons of DSH2 and UMMC. In the morning, our surgical skills workshop took a traditional approach of lectures (though brief and high yield) followed by hands-on rotations, but utilized the latest innovations in surgical simulation supplied by our sponsors. The essential knowledge gained was later consolidated by anatomical teaching blended seamlessly with practical experience, in the form of transthoracic echocardiography guided by the most competent in-house technicians at DSH2.

Perhaps there is no finer way to start a Sunday morning than free breakfast at  with like-minded individuals in a stately seminar hall, which was exactly what our participants experienced while waiting for the arrivals and registrations. Simultaneously, our organizing committee, in a strategically situated board room, received our guests of honor in great style and dignity. The day was then set into motion by several succinct speeches in succession by key student organizers, surgeons and sponsors.

Quality lectures on cardiac revascularization and valvular heart surgery were delivered eloquently by Dr Ashvin and Dr Ibrahim respectively, corresponding to the main workshop activities of the day. The interlude lecture between these covered the CICU interventions and cardiac monitoring, brought to us by Dr Zuraini. After some light refreshments, participants engaged as groups in 2 one-and-a-half-hour rotations on vascular anastomosis and minimally invasive valve surgery simulations using equipment by JnJ Ethicon and BBraun. The rotations were led by event advisor Prof Dr Shahrul together with Dr Zhafri and our 2 lecturer-surgeons from earlier, and assisted by the many trained MSSS peer facilitators stationed all around the hall.

A lunch break held on-site proved to be a valuable networking opportunity for everyone, along with being a stellar exemplification of Malaysian medical camaraderie. However, participants were not kept away from the action for long as we resumed with an original approach to teaching transthoracic echocardiography, led by Ms Ching Fong Wee and Mr Muhammad Ezaidi of DSH2. Taking turns to direct the ultrasonic probe onto our MSSS volunteers, participants received individualized feedback from our trainers on handling technique and identifying key anatomical structures.

CardioCore 2024 concluded in the late afternoon after 8 hours of learning. Tokens of appreciation were presented to all our esteemed guests, and many photos were taken of a room full of smiles and a sense of accomplishment. Certainly, we hope that CardioCore 2024 serves as a memorable and comprehensive first exposure to the field!