Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in association with Arrhythmia Research and Training (ART) society conducted a pacemaker symposium for practicing cardiologists on July 7 and 8.
 

The symposium was attended by 200 cardiologists form different parts of the country. It was conducted with an aim of updating their knowledge with changes in the field of technology and science of Cardiac pacemakers. Eminent Electrophysiology Experts, Dr B. Hygriv Rao, Chief Division of Pacing, President of ART society and Dr Mauro Biffi, a Professor in University of Bologna were the course directors of this symposium.

Both the doctors are leading authorities in area of pacing with numerous important papers in indexed academic journals. Dr.Hygriv Rao has been instrumental in conducting numerous teaching programs in Heart Rhythm disorders to physicians and Cardiologists in different parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Dr Biffii an accomplished scientist and teacher in this area.

Also, 65 national faculty from different parts of the country participated in the teaching program. The symposium also had experts teaching how to program the pacemakers after implantation so they can optimally benefit the patient.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hygriv Rao, said, “Our country needs more expert ectrophysiologists. There are lakhs of patients with pacemakers and need doctors who can mange their pacemakers. So, we made sure that this scientific program had topics like patient management.

Also, pacemaker experts taught as well as discussed and interacted with cardiologists to fill the gaps in their knowledge, which will eventually help them in treating a large number of patients effectively with the latest technology. Also, there was a separate session of basics for Cardiology fellows who were under training.” “Newer technologies allow pacemakers to be monitored at home without patient going to the hospital.

This technology of remote monitoring helps patients who are elderly, who are living in remote areas, and those who are travelling. Earlier in those patients with pacemakers MRI would not be safe whereas the newer pacemakers make MRI safe. Pacemakers have been developed which help in improving symptoms of some patients with heart failure and increase their life span. In such patients they can be alternative to heart transplantation,” Dr.Biffi said.