The Interventional Cardiology Foundation of India (ICFI) is a charitable organization founded in 2010 by the internationally renowned cardiologists Dr. Ashwin B Mehta, Dr. Ashok Seth, Dr. Upendra Kaul, Dr. V.K. Bahl, and Late Dr. Mathew Samuel K, dedicated to advancing the field of cardiology in general and interventional cardiology in particular. Its objectives include promoting education, knowledge, and skill enhancement for interventional cardiologists in the Asia-Pacific region through scientific meetings, and also encouraging science and research in India for the prevention and treatment of heart disease through research grants, patient and public education, philanthropic activities for treatment of unaffording patients and dissemination of science through it’s official scientific journal ‘ AsiaIntervention’.
As the cornerstone of its objectives, in 2010, the trustees of ICFI Dr. Ashwin B. Mehta, Dr. Ashok Seth, Dr. Upendra Kaul, Dr. V.K. Bahl, and Late Dr. Mathew Samuel K got together as Course Directors to create INDIALIVE, an in-person annual scientific meeting for interventional cardiology to help share the latest in science, expand expertise and skills, teach advanced techniques and technology, exchange and learn across boundaries, and elevate Indian and Asian interventional cardiology to a ‘world-class level.’ The prime focus was on delivering the best outcomes to our patients in the Indian subcontinent.
Since its inception in 2010, this ‘annual scientific session of ICFI’ – INDIALIVE – has become the largest and most acclaimed scientific platform in Southeast Asia, attended by more than 3,000 delegates across the region who arrive to learn, teach, and share science across boundaries. As science and technology continue to advance every year, INDIALIVE strives to ensure that interventional cardiologists in our region can access updated knowledge and expertise to deliver the best care to our patients. ‘INDIALIVE’ annual scientific session is held in March every year.
To further its mission of advancing research and scientific knowledge, Asia Intervention Journal serves as the official journal of ICFI, dedicated to interventional cardiovascular science and research emanating from and devoted to Asia Pacific region.
During 2023-2024, four Course Co-Directors Dr. Ajith Mullasari S, Dr. Ajit G Desai, Dr. Rony Mathew and Dr. Vishal Rastogi were appointed to augment and expand
INDIALIVE.
To be the foremost organization in transforming cardiovascular care and improving outcomes for our heart patients in India by empowering healthcare providers and patients with updated knowledge, science, expertise, indigenous research, and innovations.
Commitment to promoting the highest standards in education, research, and procedural delivery through ethics and competence.
Building partnerships with international institutions of repute, clinical professionals, and organizations to achieve shared goals.
Encouraging indigenous research, development, exploration and application of novel technologies and treatments in interventional cardiology with a focus on accessibility and affordability.
Ensuring that all our efforts directly contribute to improving outcomes and quality of life of our heart patients in India at an affordable cost.
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He had a brilliant academic career and stood first class first with distinction in both MBBS & MD examinations & he was awarded 19 gold medals, awards or prizes.
He has been President of World Congress Cardiology twice in 1981, 1986 and he was the professor of Cardiology at the University of Mumbai for more than 25 years & he has presented more than 1000 presentations /publications in various journals and meetings.
He held the position of President of Cardiology Society of India & Association of Physicians India.
To his credit he has treated 4 Prime Ministers of India and 7 Bharat Ratna’s, including Lata Mangeshkar, JRD Tata, Jaiprakash Narayan, Vinoba Bhave, Rajeev Gandhi, Shri Morarjibhai Desai.
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Pioneering Work in Coronary Imaging & Physiology:
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Academic Career:
He is Past President of Cardiological Society of India (2008-2009). He is recipient of several awards including “Amrut Mody Unichem Prize” by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), ‘Searl Award” and “DP Basu Award” by Cardiological Society of India, “Legends of Cardiology” Award by Times Group in 2017, "Pioneer of Intervention Cardiology" by Delhi Intervention Council-2017 and “Life Time Achievement Award” by CSI, Delhi Branch. He has delivered several prestigious Orations including “SB Roy Oration”, ‘VV Shah Oration’, ‘NN Gupta Oration’, ‘AK Thakur’ Oration, ‘Gruntzig Oration’, ‘PL Wahi Oration’ and ‘Uma Bansal Oration’.
He has to his credit more than 200 publications. He has served as the Honorary Editor of Indian Heart Journal (2001-2005). He is Invited Faculty at many International Meetings including ACC, TCT, WCC and ESC. He is Course Director of INDIALIVE - National Course on Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions. He has introduced several cutting edge newer interventional cardiology technologies in the department at AIIMS and in the country.
He sits on several National Regulatory Bodies and is National Co-Ordinator and Principal Investigator of several drug and device based multinational trials.
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Prof. Upendra Kaul is currently Chairman, Batra Heart Centre and Dean Academics and Clinical Research, Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre, New Delhi.
He is a highly recognized name both nationally and internationally for his work in cardiovascular sciences. He is known as a passionate teacher who is credited with starting the coronary angioplasty program in India. He was also on the faculty of G B Pant Hospital, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS where he was a professor of cardiology. He is the Founder Director of Gauri Kaul Foundation, a nonprofit NGO with a mission of “No Heart Attacks”, conducting camps in J and K, tribal areas of Manipur. Through this NGO have established Tele Cardiology units in remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir and “Cardiac Clinics on wheels for remote areas of Kashmir.
He established cardiology units at several hospitals in Govt and private sector. These include C T Center AIIMS, Batra Hospital, Fortis Hospitals Noida, Vasant Kunj and SSIHMS at Puttaparthy, AP. Prof. Kaul has trained more than 400 cardiologists and has authored more than 400 papers and written many books. He is a visiting professor to several overseas universities.
He is a fellow of several prestigious societies in cardiology both nationally and internationally and has delivered many named orations. He has held the posts of President of “Cardiological Society of India “and SAARC Cardiac Society. He is also a founder member of the Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology and INDIALIVE.
He is also Editor in Chief of the Journal ASIA Interventions and a joint editor of EUROINTERVENTION.
Prof. Kaul has been the principal investigator of several national and international clinical research trials. He is the first Indian Cardiologist to initiate Investigator initiated multi centric trials which have been presented at international meetings as late breaking trials and prestigious journals like the NEJM.
For his contributions Prof. Kaul has been awarded the Padma Shri and Dr. B C Roy Awards by the President of India.
Academic Career:
Senior Interventional Cardiologist with more than 40 yrs of experience in Acute Unstable Cardiac situations and Acute Heart attacks, Complex Coronary Angioplasties (including Rotablation technique, Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), OCT and TAVR (Transcathetar Aortic Valve replacement) in elderly patients.
Conducted several coronary interventional training programs and has several international and national publications in cardiology. Examiner and teacher to several DM candidates. Authored books: 2D & Color Doppler Echocardiography & Clinical Cardiology.
Successfully organized international conferences like INDIALIVE 2019/2024, AOC 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
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Academic Career:
Completed MD in Medicine from KEM hospital with Gold medal from Bombay University and subsequently completed DM in Cardiology from Sion Hospital, Bombay. He also completed DNB in Medicine and DrNB in Cardiology from the National Board.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
His interests are in Interventional Cardiology and has been a pioneer in Coronary Imaging and was the principal investigator of the iOPTICO trial. He has numerous papers and research articles in various journals and is an invited faculty and proctor. He is a teacher and examiner for the National Board and a course director of the CAD Interventions and Imaging and Physiology council of India.
Academic Career:
He heads Medical Advanced Heart failure Program
Completed MD in Medicine from IMS, Banaras Hindu University and DM in Cardiology from G B Pant Hospital, New Delhi
Got trained at Texas Heart Institute, Houston and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
Is a pioneer in the field of Interventional Heart Failure. Is coordinator of ECPR program and Heart recovery program with Impella
Is a national proctor for CHIP procedures, Rotablation, Orbital atherectomy, IVUS, OCT and Impella.
Is actively involved in research and is principal investigator of many interventional and heart failure trial.
Has written many articles and chapters in peer reviewed journals and books
