WILLEMSTAD - Physicians from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, part of Memorial Healthcare System in South Florida, will participate as speakers in the 34th Caribbean Cardiology Conference, taking place at the Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino in Willemstad. Dr. Kak- Chen Chan, Chief of Pediatric Cardiovascular and Interventional Services and Dr. Steven Bibevski, Cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, as well as heart transplantation and artificial heart support, will be presenting cutting edge research at this year’s meeting.

Since 1988, the Caribbean Cardiac Society has been a non-profit organization proud to be one of the most important gatherings of cardiac specialists from around the world, who are committed to providing services to cardiac patients in the Caribbean region, by sharing their experiences and exchange knowledge.

Dr. Chan

This year, Dr. Chan will be sharing his knowledge and experience with infants born with PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus), whereby a naturally occurring blood vessel (the ductus arteriosus) remains patent or persistent in the premature infants causing significant clinical problems. Surgical ligation and medical therapy has been used to treat this condition traditionally however they each are associated with their respective inherent complications. Dr. Chan will highlight a new technique that trans-catheter closure of PDA even in extremely small preterm infants as small as 900 grams is possible, safe and effective.  Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of the few centers that can perform this procedure.  This may improve the overall outcome of these delicate premature infants.

Dr. Bibevski

On the other hand, Dr. Bibevski will be presenting his work on Reconstruction of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT), in patients without a functional pulmonary valve at birth. Dr. Bibevski and his team of specialists at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital have used bicuspid valve construction with decellularized extracellular matrix, and have had successful early clinical outcomes in these patients.

"I am very excited and honored to speak at this year’s CCS meeting. As physicians, our focus is on the health, well being, and healing in of all patients. We are very fortunate to have an experienced team of doctors who work together to provide innovative treatments while delivering compassionate care to our patients," stated Dr. Bibevski.