Philips and Medtronic Collaborate to Enhance Structural Heart Imaging Expertise in India
Philips, a leader in health technology, and Medtronic, a prominent medical technology company, have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in India to provide advanced imaging training for cardiologists and radiologists specializing in structural heart diseases. The collaboration aims to train over 300 clinicians in multi-modality imaging methods, including echocardiography (echo) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The training will pay special attention to the needs of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients.
The training program will be a combination of didactic sessions and hands-on experience utilizing Philips’ advanced ultrasound and MRI systems. It will be led by both international and Indian experts in the field. Fifteen key medical institutions, known for their expertise in structural heart procedures, have been selected to host these educational workshops.
“At Philips, our core mission is to improve patient care, and this partnership with Medtronic is a key step towards achieving that goal,” stated Bharath Sesha, Managing Director, Philips Indian Subcontinent. “By investing in innovation and education in structural heart imaging across India, we aim to address the rapid advancements in multi-modality imaging through continuous learning. Our goal is to equip clinicians with advanced techniques like echocardiography and MRI, leading to more accurate diagnoses and improved healthcare outcomes – particularly for ESRD patients.”
Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director and Vice President of Medtronic India, also commented on the collaboration. “We are pleased to be partnering with Philips to create this innovative training program. This collaboration represents a significant stride in our continuous commitment to improving patient outcomes, especially for individuals experiencing chronic kidney disease and ESRD. By providing specialized training and advanced imaging solutions, we want to give medical professionals the tools needed to improve the precision of TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) procedures and, ultimately, improve patient care.”
With the increasing prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in India, which sees approximately 220,000 new ESRD cases annually, and global studies indicating that 9.5% of ESRD patients with Aortic Stenosis can benefit from advanced imaging technologies during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), there is a considerable need for diagnostic solutions and specialized training for clinicians.
Medtronic’s transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades since the first-in-human procedure took place in 2004. This milestone underlines Medtronic’s dedication to continuous innovation and commercialization in the field of cardiovascular care. Over the past twenty years, Medtronic has launched a number of groundbreaking TAVR systems in India, continuously advancing minimally invasive heart valve replacement and enhancing patient outcomes.
Philips created AI-driven software able to analyze aortic anatomy utilizing data from 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) and MRI. It eliminates the need for radiopaque contrast agents, which is particularly beneficial for preserving kidney health. Contrast agents have the potential to be nephrotoxic and could worsen kidney function in ESRD patients. This partnership will enhance both the duration and quality of life for these patients.
