'Heartmate II' to make footfall in Kolkata

Kolkata: Artificial heart 'Heartmate II', considered a boon for those suffering from heart ailments but available only in the US and some European countries, will arrive in southeast Asia shortly.

The expensive device, sought all over the world for its efficient functioning, will be demonstrated at the 58th annual meeting of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons beginning here from February eight.

Eminent heart surgeon Kunal Sarkar, the organising secretary of the Association, said that senior heart surgeons, including Magdi Yacoub of the UK, would represent the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic surgery to join a workshop during the five-day conference.

Nearly 1,500 cardiac surgeons from India and abroad would attend the conference which would be the largest of its kind in southeast Asia, being held in Kolkata after 12 years, he said.

Sarkar said there would be live demonstration of the artificial heart 'Heartmate II' at the conference to enable Indian surgeons to gain first hand knowledge of its implantation.

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