EAPCI Focus on the EAPCI Fellows Course June 2016

EAPCI Focus on the EAPCI Fellows Course June 2016

An interview with Gabor G. Toth, Chairman of EAPCI New Initiatives For Young Interventionalists Committee

What makes the EAPCI Fellows meeting important?

This year, following the request of participants, there were “hands-on” facilities where participants experienced, through simulators several interventional techniques, such as FFR, rotational atherectomy, left atrial appendage closure or TAVI.

Could you describe the structure of the Course?

This years’ Course was three days long in which we actually covered almost the entire spectrum of interventional cardiology – from how to puncture an artery, to how to perform complex procedures such as rotablation, bifurcations, CTOs, etc.; from how to treat stable coronary artery disease, to how to manage cardiogenic shock. We also approached the proper use and interpretation of interventional diagnostic tools such as IVUS, OCT, FFR. During the last day, participants attended sessions where they could have also a “taste” of structural interventions.

How are the lectures organised?

The emphasis was placed on a practical approach therefore case presentations had a key role. Most of the lectures were linked directly to these case presentations, coming from the faculties’ own practices. Additionally, certain cases types will be more frequently presented in future courses.

What were the characteristics of the attendees?

Approximately 20% of the participants were non-Europeans, coming from as far away as Bangladesh, Myanmar or Australia. With regard to age, the vast majority of participants were between 30 and 40 years, well representing the community of interventionists in training. Still we were pleased to welcome some more experienced colleagues, as well. As interactivity was a key feature of the course, it was inspiring to see the lively discussions between participants with different levels of experience.

Are there plans for professional certification for the attendees’ participation?

Participants have clearly expressed the need for certification and therefore this is definitely something we would like to achieve in the future.

Any final comments?

Initial feedback from one of the participants really made us proud.“The EAPCI Fellows Fellows Course gave me a more complete idea of what I want to do in the next years; it has been an incomparable opportunity to realise the state of art of interventional cardiology in Europe. Not only it is important to be a good cardiologist in every day life, but also to think for tomorrow for continuous development of our branch. And the best way to get it is by sharing ideas and experiences with colleagues from other countries.”

Gabor G. Toth, [email protected]