Despite impressive progress has been accomplished in both diagnostic and therapeutic domains of cardiology in recent decades as a result of the advance of technology, heart disease remains the world's leading killer. Concerted efforts are required to tackle this major health problem. It is of paramount importance for cardiologists and other medical professionals to continue striving ahead for breakthroughs in heart diseases management in order to reduce mortality and morbidity, and to improve the quality of life of cardiac patients.

With its main theme on management of heart rhythm diseases, CardioRhythm 2007 features a comprehensive range of programmes on electrophysiology, cardiac pacing, devices, catheter ablation, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and sudden death, etc. It provides an invaluable opportunity to pool together world-renowned cardiologists from local and overseas to update professional knowledge, to exchange clinical experience and to share research findings in the cardiology field. Such information and experience sharing would definitely benefit both cardiac patients and their carers in the battle against heart diseases.

I would like to thank Hong Kong College of Cardiology and Chinese Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology for their sterling efforts in organizing this significant conference. I wish CardioRhythm 2007 every success and all participants a most rewarding experience at the conference. For our distinguished guests from overseas, I wish them an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong.

York Y N CHOW Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food