Patna: AIIMS Patna is set to host the inaugural edition of MASTR KAIZEN (Masterclass in Advanced Stent Techniques and Reconstruction) on July 8 and 9, marking a significant step towards strengthening advanced cardiovascular care and competency-based medical education in India.
Organised by the Department of Cardiology at AIIMS Patna with support from the Terumo India Skill Lab (TISL), the two-day national training programme has been designed to equip young cardiologists and super-specialty trainees with advanced skills in complex coronary interventions through live workshops, expert lectures and simulation-based learning.
Focus On Complex Coronary Interventions
The programme will focus on Advanced Bifurcation Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), one of the most technically demanding procedures in interventional cardiology. Participants will receive hands-on training in advanced stent techniques, intravascular imaging, procedural planning and complication management through interactive workshops, case-based discussions and simulator-assisted learning.
Simulation At The Core Of Training
A key feature of the programme is its emphasis on simulation-based medical education. High-fidelity simulators will allow participants to practise complex coronary intervention procedures repeatedly before performing them on patients. Organisers said the approach is intended to improve procedural skills, strengthen clinical decision-making and enhance patient safety by enabling trainees to manage challenging coronary anatomies and potential complications in a risk-free environment.
The programme will also provide participants with international academic exposure through direct interaction with globally recognised experts, offering insights into contemporary techniques and internationally accepted best practices in complex coronary interventions.
Indo-Japanese Academic Collaboration
The inaugural event will be held under the chief patronage of Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal, Executive Director of AIIMS Patna. Dr. Bhanu Duggal, Professor of Cardiology and Vice Chancellor of HNB Uttarakhand Medical University, will attend as the chief guest.
Academic sessions will be jointly led by Dr. Kenichiro Shimoji, an interventional cardiologist from Japan, and Dr. Anupam Bhambhani, Head of the Department of Cardiology at AIIMS Patna. The organisers described the collaboration as an Indo-Japanese academic partnership aimed at bringing global expertise in advanced coronary intervention to early-career cardiologists.
Leaders Highlight Patient Safety
Ahead of the programme, Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal said simulation-based education was transforming medical training by enabling young cardiologists to master complex procedures before entering the catheterisation laboratory, thereby improving both clinical competence and patient safety.
Shishir Agarwal, President and Managing Director of Terumo India, said the collaboration aimed to equip the next generation of cardiologists with globally benchmarked procedural skills while supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred cardiovascular care in India.
Dr. Anupam Bhambhani, Organising Chairman of the programme, said the curriculum had been designed to integrate live workshops, lectures based on real clinical cases and simulator-based technical training. He said the approach would help participants understand the scientific principles behind complex coronary interventions before repeatedly practising the procedures in a controlled environment.
According to Dr. Bhambhani, simulation-based training enables young cardiologists to refine technical skills, improve procedural decision-making and learn to recognise and manage complications without exposing patients to risk. He said the model is expected to build confidence before trainees enter the catheterisation laboratory and contribute to better clinical outcomes.
Building Long-Term Cardiac Care Capacity
With the launch of MASTR KAIZEN, AIIMS Patna aims to further strengthen its role as a centre for cardiovascular sciences, advanced medical education and clinical innovation. The institute said the initiative is intended to create a long-term platform for skill development, international collaboration and capacity building in interventional cardiology, supporting safer and more precise cardiac care across India.
