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TechBuzz
Medtronic Launches Its First Therapy and Procedure Training Centre in India
Medtronic announced the opening of its first Therapy and Procedure
Training Centre (TPTC) in South Asia, in Chennai, India. The centre will provide
hands-on training to cardiologists on implanting devices for the management
of life-threatening cardiac problems such as arrhythmias, heart failure and
coronary artery disease using a simulator-based virtual catheterisation lab
(VCL). Additionally, the centre's state-of-the-art classroom and programmer
lab will provide training to cardiologists on the programming and follow-up
management of these devices. The centre aims to provide cardiologists with:
- Tailored, peer-to-peer training courses on implantable
cardiac device therapies that cover the most recent advances in patient diagnosis,
device functioning, implantation technique and follow-up management of patients
with device implants.
- Practical hands-on experience on device implantation
techniques in a fully equipped virtual cardiac catheterisation lab.
- Hands-on experience in the programming, follow-up
and troubleshooting of implantable devices using a simulation set-up comprising
virtual patients, live devices and a device programming system.
Joon Hurh, Medtronic's Regional Vice President says, "Medtronic has always
encouraged training and education as part of its activities to enhance therapy
access to patients who can benefit. The TPTC is an example of effective training
and education used by the company worldwide."
"As more people around the world are in need of implanted medical devices
like pacemakers, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD's) and Cardiac
Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) devices, so is the need growing for well-trained
clinicians to care for these patients," said Milind Shah, Managing Director,
Medtronic India.
India has a small number of electrophysiologists (around 50) that implants high
end implantable devices like CRT's & ICD's to manage Heart Failure and reduce
mortality due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
The use of simulators is quickly becoming a standard approach to Medtronic training
programs.
Medtronic's simulators allow clinicians to practice device implant procedures
using a system that emulates the look and feel of actual patient cases. The
simulators enable clinicians to attempt realistic implantation procedures using
virtual fluoroscopic images and guidewire and catheter deployment. Multiple
computer-generated case studies that were developed with consultation from physicians
reproduce the physiology of actual patients and, with various levels of difficulty,
take users through life-like patient implant scenarios. The simulators are designed
to provide a safe environment in which to learn new techniques while avoiding
complications and minimising costs.
EH News Bureau
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