A pre-conference workshop of the First International Heart Failure Conference 2026 was held yesterday (30 March) at the Super Specialized Hospital of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), focusing on the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), cardiac MRI and advanced diagnostic techniques in heart failure management.
The workshop, part of the upcoming international conference in Dhaka, highlighted recent advancements in AI-based medical management, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Cardiac MRI) and endomyocardial biopsy.
For the first time in Bangladesh, participants received hands-on training on AI-driven diagnostics and modern cardiac imaging technologies.
Experts said AI is transforming cardiovascular care by enabling early detection, accurate diagnosis and better risk assessment of heart failure patients. They also described cardiac MRI as the gold standard for evaluating heart structure and function due to its high accuracy and non-invasive nature.
The event brought together local and international cardiologists, who stressed the need to adopt advanced technologies in Bangladesh’s healthcare system. They noted that combining AI with cardiac imaging could significantly improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
The inaugural session was addressed by BMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Shahinul Alam, while Prof Dr Mohammad Safiuddin delivered the welcome speech. Malaysian digital health expert Dr Sultan Kaveri presented on AI-based medical management. Prof Dr Md Atahar Ali also spoke at the session.
A second session on cardiac MRI was chaired by Prof Dr Monjur Mahmood, with Associate Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal Jamali as vice-chair. Panelists included Prof Dr Robert Manka from Switzerland, along with Bangladeshi experts Dr Dine Mujahid Md Faruk Osmani and Dr Mohammad Shahidul Haque.
The interactive workshop featured live demonstrations, practical training on cardiac MRI analysis, AI-assisted imaging interpretation and case-based discussions on heart failure management. Experts noted that AI can rapidly analyse large datasets and support clinical decision-making, though further validation is needed before widespread use.
Speakers also emphasised the need for infrastructure development, skilled workforce, data security and regulatory frameworks to implement these technologies effectively.
The workshop marked a significant step toward technology-driven cardiology in Bangladesh, with experts hopeful that AI and advanced imaging will improve patient care and outcomes in the near future.
