An ordinary meeting of the Society took place at the Royal Southampton Yacht Cub on 1st March 2017. The President, Dr Keightley, was in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. After a minutes silence was held in memory of Dr G H Foott the President introduced Dr Iain Simpson, Consultant Cardiologist at the Wessex Regional Cardiac Unit Southampton, who was to deliver the Foott Memorial Lecture. He spoke to the title “40 Years of Cardiology”. He introduced his talk by saying that Dr Foott had a Scottish connection, as well as the speaker himself, as he had practised for a time in Helensborough after leaving the navy before coming to Southampton. Dr Simpson then reminded us of the important events of 1977, including that of a 3rd year medical student at The Royal Infirmary in Glasgow who became inspired by cardiology. Angina was then treated with nitrates, and surgery and coronary care units were only just being introduced. Dr Simpson said that the most important investigative tool at that time was the stethoscope - the art of listening to the heart was paramount. ECHO and simple imaging were just beginning. He became interested in imaging and started research into aortic stenosis so he arranged to go to San Diego to study under Dr David Sahn, a pioneer of cardiac imaging. Colour fluoroscopy was then being introduced in San Diego to assess the severity of valve disease and whilst he was there transoesophogeal ECHO also. On his return to the UK Dr Simpson was appointed in Southampton. He said that we were ‘incredibly blessed’ by the quality of the heart surgeons in Southampton and this had laid the foundation for the preeminence of our unit. He then discussed the progress of treatments over the last 40 years and how drugs came and went and came again. The change, in particular, in the management of MI from being given diamorphine and put to bed in the then new CCU with ECG monitoring, to the present treatment of primary angioplasty within 47 minutes of your entry into the hospital was remarkable. Ninety-five percent of patients in Southampton will be treated thus and now severe angina as well. In the last forty years the mortality from MI has fallen dramatically. He said he had now become especially interested in prevention. The smoking ban had resulted in a 10% reduction in CVD. Lifestyle, and diet in particular, with 150 minutes of exercise a week in 2 or 3 bouts were crucial. He also considered the case for primary prevention with statins was overwhelming. He also suggested everyone should check out their heart age on the internet at www.jbs3risk.com
The President thanked the speaker for his excellent lecture and there followed a session of questions. The meeting was then closed at 10.10pm