Jammu, Oct 10 (KNS): Advances in cardiac treatment, including retrievable leadless pacemakers and minimally invasive procedures for complex heart conditions, were discussed at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme in Jammu on Saturday, with medical experts highlighting how emerging technologies are expanding treatment options for patients.

The programme, titled "What Is New in Cardiology 2026", was organised by PARAS Health Gurugram in association with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Jammu Chapter.

Dr Amit Bhushan Sharma, Senior Director and Unit Head of Interventional Cardiology at PARAS Health Gurugram, addressed the gathering and discussed developments in cardiac rhythm management, structural heart interventions and the treatment of complex cardiovascular conditions.

A major focus of the programme was the development of advanced leadless pacemakers, particularly a miniature retrievable device designed to provide long-term cardiac pacing support while allowing removal when clinically required.

Unlike conventional pacemakers, which generally use electrical leads connecting the device to the heart, leadless pacemakers are implanted directly inside the heart.

The technology eliminates the need for conventional pacing leads and a surgical pocket, potentially reducing certain complications associated with traditional pacemaker systems.

Dr Sharma discussed how improvements in device longevity and retrievability were influencing the management of cardiac rhythm disorders and creating additional treatment options for suitable patients.

The programme also examined the growing use of minimally invasive procedures for treating structural heart diseases.

These included transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), MitraClip procedures and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), which offer alternatives to conventional open-heart surgery in selected patients.

TAVR involves replacing a diseased aortic valve through a catheter-based procedure, while MitraClip is used to treat certain forms of mitral valve regurgitation without conventional open-heart surgery.

TMVR, another catheter-based intervention, is being developed and used in selected clinical settings to address complex mitral valve conditions.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Dr Sharma highlighted the importance of appropriate patient selection, advanced imaging and procedural expertise in determining the suitability and outcomes of such interventions.

Drawing upon his clinical experience, he also discussed challenging cardiac cases to illustrate how technological advances and specialised treatment approaches are influencing cardiovascular care.

The session provided participating doctors with an opportunity to examine emerging clinical practices, discuss treatment challenges and exchange knowledge on developments in interventional cardiology.

According to the organisers, Dr Sharma has headed the Department of Cardiology at PARAS Health Gurugram since 2017 and specialises in complex coronary interventions and structural heart procedures.

He is also credited by the organisers with performing North India's first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker implantation.

Dr Sharma completed his DM in Cardiology at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, before undertaking advanced training in complex coronary angioplasty at Mount Sinai, New York, and structural heart interventions at Michigan State University, Lansing.

The programme also marked a return to Jammu for the cardiologist, whose family has longstanding associations with the region's medical institutions.

His father, Dr D B Sharma, served as Head of the Department of Paediatrics at Government Medical College Jammu and later worked at Batra Hospital.

His mother, Dr Kumkum Sharma, is a specialist in pathology and transfusion medicine who headed the Blood Bank and Department of Transfusion Medicine.

The organisers said the CME was intended to familiarise medical professionals in Jammu with recent developments in cardiac devices, catheter-based procedures and complex cardiovascular treatment.

The discussions emphasised the importance of continued medical education and collaboration among healthcare professionals as new technologies become available for managing cardiac conditions.

The programme concluded with a focus on translating advances in cardiac technology into appropriate clinical practice through specialised training, careful patient assessment and evidence-based treatment decisions. (KNS)