DOHA: The Paediatric Cardiology Section at Hamad General Hospital (HGH) recently hosted its second workshop to highlight the latest developments in the management of paediatric patients with pacemakers.
The participants were also given an opportunity to learn about effective ways of monitoring patients with pacemakers within the comfort of their homes using new technology.
A pacemaker is a small electronic device placed in a patient’s chest or abdomen to help control irregular heart rhythms which cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. As a result of this condition, the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body causing symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath or fainting, all of which can be relieved by a pacemaker.
The two-day workshop was attended by highly-specialised healthcare professionals from HMC, including paediatric cardiovascular surgeons, anaesthesiologists, cardiologists and nurses who manage paediatric patients with an unusual heart rhythm.
Attendees were provided with training on the appropriate use of the equipment by Mohamad Ibrahim, Manager of Training and Education in the Middle East and North Africa for Biotronik, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cardio and endovascular medical devices which is represented by Solutions for Service and Healthcare in Qatar.
Dr Aiman Khella, Paediatric Cardiology Consultant at HGH and Course Director for the workshop, said: “The main aim of the workshop was to develop the skills and update the knowledge of healthcare professionals involved in the follow-up, analysis and management of paediatric patients who use pacemakers. Participants were able to gain an in-depth understanding of the device and the appropriate actions to take in case of any problems.”
“The workshop also underlined effective ways of monitoring patients with pacemakers within the comfort of their homes using new technology. This home-monitoring process will enhance the quality of life of our patients as they will not be required to visit the pacemaker clinic as frequently as before,” Dr Khella added.
Additionally, management procedures for children born with complete heart block (when the electrical signal can’t pass normally from the atria, the heart’s upper chambers, to the ventricles, or lower chambers) and those who develop heart block due to complications after heart surgery were also discussed.
“This training is part of our commitment to providing the best possible care to our pediatric patients and to ensure that they are offered dedicated support to stimulate optimal health outcomes,” Dr Khella said.
This is the second in a series of annual workshops by the Paediatric Cardiology Section to equip staff with a thorough understanding of more effective procedures for the management of paediatric patients with pacemakers.
The Peninsula
