India Medtronic Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of US based Medtronic Inc, is expanding its business operation in India. The company has presented pilot study result of the Panarrhythmia and heart failure registry (Panarm HF Registry) in India. This registry data is supported by the Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS) and Indian Society of Electrocardiographers (ISE).

Two key points were highlighted in the pilot phase of the registry: Implanters found approximately 20 per cent of patients with symptoms of arrhythmia or heart failure need life-saving implantable device therapy. And almost 56 per cent of patients who need implantable device therapy were not identified by referral physicians.

The human heart can suffer from problems associated with its electrical system -arrhythmias. Each year millions of people experience some form of arrhythmias. Arrhythmiasare is extremely dangerous and require immediate treatment and management. In the United States more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for a cardiac arrhythmia each year.

In the recent report of The Lancet, by 2010, 60 per cent of the world's heart patients will be in India, Moreover, approximately 60 per cent of all cardiac deaths occur due to arrhythmias leading to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The objective of Medtronic's Panarm HF registry is to drive referral physician to diagnose patients with arrhythmias and heart failure while also capturing detailed data pertaining to the demographic, cardiovascular and disease profiles of such patients.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Milind Shah, managing director, India Medtronic Pvt Ltd, said, "We firmly believe in building a strong and evolving a base of clinical evidence to inform medical practice and benefit patients in India. Medtronic believes the findings of the Panarm HF pilot study will lead to a better understanding with physicians so that more patients may benefit from implantable medical therapies".

Medtronic is the leading player for providing lifelong solutions. It has deep roots in the treatment of heart diseases. The company offers products, therapies and services for cardiovascular, heart and vascular surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, urology and diabetes across globe.

"Our commitment is to scientific and medical advancement is another way in which we provide greater access to life-saving and life-improving therapies. We are optimistic that the findings of the Panarm HF registry will aid decision makers, i.e. caregivers, policymakers, reimbursement organizations and others, in their approach to such patients. The registry findings will also aid in increasing awareness about arrhythmias amongst the medical as well as the patient community'', he added.

The national registry will be conducted over a three year period and plans to enrol approximately 250 referring physicians across India nominated by 50 key implanters of arrhythmia and heart failure management devices. Enrolled physicians will be trained by their nominating implanters on the implementation of a detailed diagnostic protocol to identify arrhythmia and heart failure patients.

The company has its presence in more than 120 countries across globe it employees approximately 36,000 people worldwide. Out of that in India 150 people are currently engaged with Medtronic and company is planning to go up 200 people by the end of current financial year end.