Conference Overview

The four‑day international conference ECHO ASIA/ECHO INDIA 2026 was held from 8 to 11 October 2026 at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel, Gurugram. The event brought together around 1,500 delegates representing 20 countries, including participants from the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia. It was organized jointly by the Asian‑Pacific Association of Echocardiography (AAE) and the Indian Academy of Echocardiography (IAE) under the theme “Shaping the New Era of Cardiac Imaging.”

Key Themes and Topics

Discussions covered a broad spectrum of cardiac imaging advancements and early‑detection strategies. Core topics included asymptomatic heart disease, Stage B heart failure, heart‑related risks associated with diabetes, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac imaging. The scientific programme featured sessions on 3D echocardiography, cardiac MRI, stress echocardiography, cardiac amyloidosis, and early detection of cardiomyopathy. Participants also exchanged views on a proposed IAE‑AAE multicentre study aimed at improving understanding of hidden heart diseases and their associated risks.

Statements from Organisers and Speakers

  • Dr. Hansa Gupta, President of the Indian Academy of Echocardiography, said the conference offered Indian and international experts, as well as young doctors, an opportunity to learn about new techniques in advanced cardiac imaging and to share experiences. She emphasized that “cardiac imaging can help identify certain early changes in the structure and functioning of the heart,” and that the knowledge gained could enable timely risk assessment and appropriate treatment planning.
  • Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Executive Organiser, highlighted that experts held detailed discussions on early diagnosis and practical application of advanced imaging techniques, aiming to familiarise doctors with the latest scientific developments and encourage their use to improve patient care. He added that the focus should be on identifying risks early rather than waiting for serious symptoms, and stressed the importance of a balanced diet, regular walking, physical activity and stress management for heart health.
  • Dr. Manish Bansal, Vice‑Chairman, Clinical & Preventive Cardiology, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, stated that heart‑health assessments should not be limited to symptomatic individuals. He advocated regular monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other risk factors, especially for people with diabetes, a smoking history or a family history of heart disease at a relatively young age. He also noted that advanced cardiac investigations are valuable when combined with preventive healthcare, citing diabetes, hypertension, obesity, poor diet, thyroid disorders, sleep apnoea, smoking, physical inactivity, long‑term stress, poor sleep and air‑pollution as contributors to cardiovascular risk.
  • Dr. Munesh Tomar, Pediatric Cardiologist, underscored the importance of early diagnosis of congenital heart defects in children, explaining that early identification and timely treatment lead to excellent outcomes. He urged parents and pediatricians to watch for changes in a child’s behavior, feeding patterns, growth and activity levels, as delayed diagnosis can cause complications.
  • Dr. Kapil Khanna, President of the Indian Association of Clinical Cardiologists, described echocardiography as a non‑invasive, radiation‑free diagnostic test that can be repeated as needed. He highlighted that AI can assist doctors in analysing echocardiographic images, taking measurements and flagging abnormalities, while final clinical decisions remain with the physician.

Conclusions

The conference concluded with a consensus that significant progress can be made toward early detection of heart diseases and improved patient care by promoting advanced cardiac imaging, AI‑based assistance, scientific research and continuous training for physicians.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)