The development of a sophisticated cardiac pacing simulator: a training tool to enhance the management of post cardiac surgical patient care (Ms Ioana Cretu)
Cardiac temporary pacing (TP) is a medical technique that helps the heartbeat get back to normal after its rhythm has been disturbed as a result of, for example, heart surgery or a heart attack. An electrical current is delivered directly to the heart via wires from an external pacing box. The vast majority of people who have heart surgery require TP afterwards. Despite its prevalence and importance, formal training of doctors in TP is not available in the UK, and complications are commonly solved in an ad-hoc manner by non-specialists. Professor Ashraf Khir, a biomedical engineer at Brunel University London, will supervise a PhD student to develop interactive software to train relevant doctors and intensive care staff in the use of TP. The scientists will record heart rhythm and electrical activity (using electrocardiograms, ECGs) from a range of people with different heart conditions, with and without TP. They will use this data to develop training software that will simulate various pacing scenarios, with the outcomes determined by how the trainee programmes the temporary pacemaker. It is anticipated that this training tool will provide relevant hospital staff with a deeper understanding of TP and instil greater confidence in doctors when faced with complex pacing decisions. The simulator could one day be used in cardiac centres across the UK and worldwide, and may eventually lead to improved care and outcomes for many people requiring TP.
Project details
| Grant amount | £121,300 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | PhD Studentship |
| Start Date | 01 January 1900 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | FS/19/73/34690 |
| Status | In Progress |
