The Comprehensive Cardiology Unit continues to advance its commitment to training and medical innovation with the launch of the first experimental course on percutaneous TAVI in hemodynamics, developed at the simulation center of the Francisco de Vitoria University.
This initiative, framed within the Chair of Cardiovascular Innovation and thanks to the support of the Meril company, reinforces the objective of promoting applied research and high-level training in interventional cardiology, consolidating the collaboration between the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit and the Francisco de Vitoria University.
The course was led by Dr. Jorge Palazuelos , head of the Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology Unit , and included the participation of Dr. Daniele Gemma, a specialist in these types of procedures. Together with a multidisciplinary team, they guided this practical training focused on advanced techniques in an experimental setting.
In this context, Dr. Roberto Martín Reyes, as director of the Chair of Cardiovascular Innovation and head of the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit, has been a key figure in the creation of this training program, promoting a model that connects clinical practice with research and specialized teaching.
What is percutaneous TAVI?
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive technique that allows for the replacement of the aortic valve without the need for open-heart surgery. It is especially indicated for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk. You can find more information in our Valvular Heart Disease Unit.
During the procedure, the new valve is inserted through a catheter —usually through the femoral artery— and positioned in the heart, restoring proper blood flow.
Advanced training in a simulation environment
The course was conducted in an advanced simulation environment using an animal model (porcine), allowing professionals to train under conditions very similar to real clinical practice. This type of training is key to refining technical skills, improving decision-making, and ensuring patient safety.
The main benefits of this training approach include:
- Practical training in complex techniques
- Improved accuracy in interventional procedures
- Skills development in a controlled environment
- Boosting translational research in cardiology
A commitment to research and clinical excellence
The creation of these types of training programs reinforces the role of the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit as an engine of innovation, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the development of new generations of highly qualified specialists.
This first course marks the beginning of future joint initiatives that will continue to drive the advancement of interventional cardiology from an integrative perspective, where research, training and clinical practice advance hand in hand.