6th Deep Brain Stimulation Course

The Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (Barcelona) held the 6th Deep Brain Stimulation Course (first course on Advanced Techniques in Deep Brain Stimulation), chaired by Dr Jordi M. Rimbau, Head of the Neurosurgery Department, and with the esteemed participation of Dr Antoni Dávalos, Clinical Director of Neuroscience and Head of the Neurology Service at the hospital.

The different subjects were taught by a group of neurosurgeons and neurophysiologists with extensive experience in using deep brain stimulation to treat patients with movement disorders: Doctors Ramiro Álvarez Ramo, Josep Maria Cladellas, Lourdes Ispierto, Jorge Muñoz and Manuel Tardáguila from the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Dr Joan Molet from the Teknon Medical Centre (Barcelona), and Dr Marta del Álamo from the Ramón y Cajal Hospital (Madrid).

The course was attended by ten neurosurgeons and neurologists from nine different health centres in seven Spanish autonomous communities and other countries (Argentina and Colombia).

Following the success of the five previous editions held between 2013 and 2017, with the aim to introduce young resident doctors and neurosurgeons interested in new forms of stereotaxic neurosurgery to this technique, this year, the scope of the course was extended to advanced neurostimulation techniques (including the approaches of neurosurgery and parametric planning) with the use of directional electrodes and the latest intraoperative micro-recording systems. As well as the theoretical sessions, the neurologists and neurosurgeons attending the course had the chance to observe surgery and then share their observations and doubts with the other participants and teaching staff. For the first time, the course was accredited by the Catalan Council of Continuous Training for Healthcare Professionals (CCFCPS) with 3.6 credits.

The course was sponsored by Cardiva and supported by the Catalan Neurosurgery Society.

As part of its commitment to collaboration with healthcare professionals through neurostimulation techniques, Cardiva will continue to promote scientific and training activities in order to improve patient care and generate greater independence and competitiveness among medical professionals.