The Indo- French Interventional Cardiology Foundation, a collaboration between Apollo Hospitals Group and renowned cardiologists from France, hosted on Internet a three- day workshop for treating patients with highly complicated peripheral vascular diseases.

Dr Michel Henry, a leading interventional cardiologist from France and the Vice-President of the foundation, and Dr P C Rath, Senior Interventional Cardiologist of Apollo Hospitals and President of the Foundation, treated over 50 patients suffering from carotid and renal vascular diseases through advanced minimally invasive Angioplasty techniques during the workshop. These patients would have otherwise required major open surgery.

Cardiologists from all over the world, for the first time, could view these advanced procedures online at www.medvarsity.com.

The Foundation concentrates exclusively on Carotid (carotid artery supplies blood to the brain) and Peripheral (peripheral artery supplies blood to the hands and legs) Angioplasty and is a unique institute of its kind in the world. The Foundation treats patients suffering from carotid and renal vascular diseases by using latest technology and procedures. It also trains Indian doctors in various aspects of the treatment of this disease.

The treatment involves placing a drug eluting stent (Sirolimus -Rapamycin coated stent) called CYPHER in the arteries. This stent, which was cleared by the Europen Union and released only recently in April this year, has demonstrated unprecedented results with 0% restnosis (reblockage), no deaths and no further angioplasty or bypass.

Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Group of Hospitals, released a CD compiled by Medvarsity, containing information on how to train and educate doctors on the usefulness of minimally invasive procedures and also launched online training programme on www.medvarsity.com.

Medvarsity - a deemed medical university from Apollo Group - is providing online access to advanced procedures and a large knowledge bank on various aspects of medicine. Besides, the Medvarsity platform also provides training and CME programmes for general practitioners and cardiologists.