Four-Day ECHO ASIA/ECHO INDIA 2026 Conference Concludes, with 1,500 Experts from 20 Countries Deliberating on the Early Detection of Heart Diseases

Gurugram, October 12, 2026: Rather than waiting for serious symptoms of heart disease to appear, it is important to identify early changes. With this message, the four-day international conference ECHO ASIA/ECHO INDIA 2026 concluded on Sunday at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel in Gurugram. Held from October 8 to 11, the conference was attended by 1,500 delegates from around 20 countries. These included cardiologists, doctors and researchers from various countries, including the UK, the US, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia.

Organised 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', the conference saw experts share their experiences with new diagnostic techniques, scientific research and their practical applications. Asymptomatic heart disease, Stage B heart failure, heart-related risks associated with diabetes, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac imaging were among the key topics of discussion.

Early Detection Can Improve Treatment

Dr. Hansa Gupta, President of the Indian Academy of Echocardiography, said the conference provided experts from India and abroad, as well as young doctors, with an opportunity to understand new techniques in advanced cardiac imaging and share their experiences.

She said, “Cardiac imaging can help identify certain early changes in the structure and functioning of the heart. The scientific knowledge gained at the conference and the effective use of new technologies in clinical practice can help assess patients’ risks in a timely manner and plan appropriate treatment.''

Key Takeaways from Four Days of Deliberations

Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Executive Organiser of the conference, said experts held detailed discussions over the four-day event on early diagnosis and the practical application of advanced imaging techniques. The objective was to familiarise doctors with the latest scientific developments and encourage them to improve patient care at their respective medical centres.

He said, “In matters of heart disease, the focus should be on identifying risks in a timely manner rather than waiting for serious symptoms to appear. A balanced diet, regular walking, physical activity and stress management are also important for heart health.”

Discussions on Stage B Heart Failure and Diabetes

Experts explained that changes in the structure and functioning of the heart can begin in some patients before noticeable symptoms appear. Patients with Stage B heart failure may not have obvious symptoms, but abnormalities in the heart may already be present. Techniques such as echocardiography and strain imaging can help assess these changes.

During discussions on heart-related risks associated with diabetes, experts explained that persistently high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period can affect the structure and functioning of the heart muscle. Patients at risk should undergo investigations and regular monitoring as advised by their doctors.

AI and Advanced Imaging Offer the Potential for Better Diagnosis

The use of AI was also discussed at the conference. AI can assist doctors in analysing echocardiographic images, taking important measurements and identifying potential abnormalities. However, doctors make the final clinical decisions after considering the patient's overall condition.

Dr. Kapil Khanna, President of the Indian Association of Clinical Cardiologists, said that echocardiography is a non-invasive diagnostic test that does not use radiation and can be repeated when required. The effective use of advanced imaging and AI can help doctors understand the structure and functioning of the heart and support patient management.

The scientific programme included discussions on 3D echocardiography, cardiac MRI, stress echocardiography, cardiac amyloidosis, and the early detection of cardiomyopathy. Experts also exchanged views on the proposed IAE-AAE multicentre study aimed at improving the understanding of hidden heart diseases and their associated risks.

The conference concluded with the message that significant steps can be taken towards the early detection of heart diseases and better patient care by promoting advanced cardiac imaging, AI-based assistance, scientific research and continuous training for doctors.