TRAINING COURSE

The OPCAB Technique with Octopus® and Starfish®

Medisch Spectrum Twente

Thoraxcentrum

Peer-to-peer training on OPCAB techniques with the Octopus® and Starfish® technology

During a typical two-day training session, you will:

·	Learn the best indications for Off-Pump CABG

·	Witness the ideal positioning of Medtronic’s Octopus® Tissue Stabilizer and Starfish® Heart Positioner

·	Become familiar with tips and tricks for OPCAB

·	Understand interaction requirements with cardiac anaesthesia in Off-Pump CABG

·	Experience transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) visualization during a clinical case

·	Observe the use of the Cardioblate® Ablation System (‘mini’ Maze combined with OPCAB)

·	Participate in presentation of clinical results.

(Visiting surgeons will be invited to scrub in)

Medisch Spectrum Twente

Thoraxcentrum

Dr. Grandjean and Dr. Mariani began performing OPCAB in 1995, at the University Hospital in Groningen, The Netherlands. Since 2000, they have both performed 100% of their coronary cases off-pump, which translates to a cumulative experience of more than 3000 OPCAB cases. At present, OPCAB represents about 60% of all cases for coronary surgery at the Thoraxcentrum Twente, and the hospital has the highest percentage of OPCAB and arterial grafting in The Netherlands (BHN database).

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the Thoraxcentrum Twente. For two days you will be our guests, and you will have the opportunity to gain maximum exposure to OPCAB techniques. Should you wish to, you will be very welcome to scrub in at the surgical table. We strongly advise the “hands-on” approach in order to maximize the usefulness of your time with us. We encourage you to ask questions, as we intend for our course to be truly interactive and OPCAB is only possible with a good relationship between colleagues.

We wish you a pleasant stay in Enschede and in our center.

Sincerely,

Jan Grandjean, Massimo Mariani, André Gille, and Jan Diephuis