Impella School in Prague: A Two-Day Educational Course for Cardiologists, Intensivists and Cardiac Surgeons

On September 19–20, the Interventional Radiology and Cardiology division, in cooperation with Prof. MUDr. Jan Bělohlávek, PhD., Head of the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine – Cardiology and Angiology Clinic at the General University Hospital in Prague, and Assoc. Prof. MUDr. Viktor Kočka, PhD., Deputy Head of the University Hospital Královské Vinohrady, who both served as scientific guarantors of the event, organized the Impella School educational course at the Hermitage Hotel in Prague.

The course was designed for cardiac centers where the Impella heart pump program has recently started or is about to be launched. Promedica is the exclusive distributor of Impella in the Czech and Slovak markets. The event brought together 25 invited cardiologists, intensivists, and cardiac surgeons from leading hospitals across the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Structured as a two-day program, the course introduced participants to the fundamentals of Impella heart pumps, their use for short-term circulatory support during cardiac interventions, and extended applications in severe cardiogenic shock, lasting weeks if needed.

Participants learned not only how to implant Impella devices but also how to manage patients on long-term mechanical support. A highlight of the training was the discussion on combining Impella with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cases of cardiac arrest.

The faculty included leading Czech interventional cardiologists: Prof. Bělohlávek, Assoc. Prof. Kočka, Prof. Kovárník (General University Hospital, Prague), Prof. Kala (University Hospital Brno), and MUDr. Novotný (Pardubice). Intensivists were represented by MUDr. Rob and MUDr. Pudil (General University Hospital, Prague), Chief Physician Šramko (IKEM), and MUDr. Ondruš (Brno). From the field of cardiac surgery, Prof. Netuka, Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at IKEM, shared his expertise. The international perspective was provided by Prof. Jerzy Sacha, Head of Interventional Cardiology at the University Hospital in Opole, Poland, who presented alternative techniques and rescue procedures. Echocardiographic insights were contributed by MUDr. Večeřová (General University Hospital, Prague).

Hands-on workshops formed a key part of the program, allowing physicians to simulate device setup and implantation, troubleshoot alarm situations, explore various hemodynamic scenarios, and practice vascular closure techniques for large-bore access sites required for Impella insertion.

The event was organized in collaboration with the device manufacturer J&J MedTech, with the support of Galén Symposion, and above all, thanks to the dedication of our Marketing Department, to whom we extend our sincere gratitude.

Feedback from both faculty and participants of Impella School was overwhelmingly positive, and we have received strong encouragement to repeat the course in this format in the future.

Interventional Radiology and Cardiology Division

 

Watch the event video

Promedica Becomes the Exclusive Distributor of the CareSens Air System: Officially Introduced at the EASD Congress in Vienna

We are pleased to announce that Promedica has been appointed the exclusive distributor of the CareSens Air system by i-SENS, Inc. for the Czech Republic. This innovative continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system was recently unveiled at the international EASD Congress in Vienna, where the manufacturer presented its key benefits, features, and upcoming availability for both physicians and patients.

About i-SENS, Inc.

i-SENS, Inc. is a global company headquartered in South Korea, specializing in diagnostic technologies for diabetes care, particularly blood glucose monitoring systems and now CGM devices. Their CareSens Air system offers:

  • A 15-day sensor for continuous monitoring of glucose levels in interstitial fluid, transmitting data every 5 minutes.

  • An ultra-thin and lightweight sensor (approx. 35.2 × 19.2 × 5.0 mm, weighing only 4.5 g), designed for comfortable everyday wear.

  • Water resistance (IP48), allowing use while showering, bathing, and during daily activities.

  • The CareSens Air app and Sens365 platform, enabling trend tracking, alerts, data sharing, and advanced reporting for both patients and healthcare professionals.

 

Our Presence at the EASD Congress in Vienna

  • We had the opportunity to personally meet and greet many Czech physicians, sharing detailed information about CareSens Air.

  • We introduced the professional community to the upcoming launch of CGM in the Czech Republic, its technical features, and its advantages over current solutions.

  • We gathered valuable feedback from physicians—particularly highlighting accuracy, patient comfort, ease of use, and data-sharing capabilities as highly appreciated benefits.

 

What This Means for Patients and the Czech Healthcare System

For patients, CareSens Air promises greater flexibility and comfort in everyday diabetes management—without frequent finger pricks, with timely alerts for hypo- and hyperglycemia, clear trend reports, and seamless data sharing with healthcare providers.

For the healthcare system, the adoption of CGM has the potential to improve early detection of irregularities, support better glycemic stability, and reduce diabetes-related complications.

We extend our gratitude to all who contributed at the congress—manufacturers, physicians, and partners alike. We are excited to soon bring CareSens Air to Czech patients with diabetes.

Diabetology Division

Srdíčkové dny 2025

The autumn Heart Days are already a tradition that we look forward to every year – and we didn’t miss out this year either. From September 15 to 19, 2025, we once again joined as a proud partner and were delighted to meet the public at a fun charity afternoon at Náměstí Míru in Prague.

At our stand, visitors could measure their blood glucose levels and learn more about the modern Contour family of blood glucose meters from Ascensia Diabetes Care. These meters help people with diabetes manage their daily health care through accurate and reliable self-monitoring of blood glucose levels.

The atmosphere at Náměstí Míru was full of joy, music, friendly encounters, and open conversations. We greatly appreciate everyone who stopped by, asked questions, shared their experiences, and showed interest in how modern technology can make life with diabetes easier.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of this wonderful event again this year. Helping makes sense—and when we do it together, we can achieve great things. ❤️

Diabetology Division

Impella in Slovakia

A third hospital in Slovakia can now provide better care for cardiology patients with acute or chronic left ventricular dysfunction requiring mechanical circulatory support. This has been made possible thanks to the short-term, catheter-based Impella heart pump from Abiomed J&J, which our IRK division, in cooperation with Unique Medical, began distributing in Slovakia earlier this year.

Following the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NÚSCH) in Bratislava and AGEL Košice-Šaca Hospital, the first successful implantation of an Impella CP has now been performed at University Hospital Martin.

Thanks to this support device, a 72-year-old patient was able to successfully undergo a high-risk coronary revascularization procedure. During the intervention, the Impella pump helped stabilize the patient’s circulation, and the procedure was completed without complications. After three days, the patient was discharged home.

This achievement was made possible through the excellent collaboration between our Czech and Slovak teams, the hospital management, and especially the outstanding work of Dr. Milan Dragula and his interventional cardiology team at University Hospital Martin.

We look forward to further successful cooperation.

Interventional radiology and cardiology

CORI Robot at FNKV – The Story of a Challenging but Successful Project

At the very beginning, the clinical team envisioned acquiring a competing robotic system. However, thanks to the intensive work of our team with the clinic’s management and the flawlessly executed trial surgeries carried out directly on site, we managed to shift this direction and open the door for the cutting-edge technology of our orthopedic CORI robot.

From a Change of Plans to the Realization of a Complex Project

But the challenges did not end there. It was necessary to design and negotiate a fairly complex system of how to put the entire project into practice. A big thank you therefore goes to our General Director and also to Regina Gabrielová, who successfully negotiated all the key aspects—both at the hospital’s executive level and with the donor who co-financed this advanced technology.

Prestigious Partnership and Unique Contribution

As a result, the University Hospital Královské Vinohrady has become the first university facility in the Czech Republic to utilize robot-assisted total knee replacement surgery. This represents not only a significant step forward for the hospital itself, but also an important milestone for Czech orthopedics.

For PPG, this project stands as prestigious confirmation of our expertise as well as our ability to bring innovation into an environment where it was by no means a given.

Ceremonial Handover

The culmination of this long process was the ceremonial handover of the CORI robot. The event was held to the great satisfaction of all participants and attended by around 15 guests—including the Director and Deputy Director of FNKV, Professor Vidimský, donor with his wife, and other distinguished guests.

The program included an opening welcome, a lecture by the Head of Clinic on the topic “Why a Robot and How the Decision Was Made”, followed by our presentation highlighting the specific advantages of the CORI robot. The atmosphere was very positive and confirmed that the effort invested in overcoming all challenges was truly worthwhile.

The Next Step – Beginning of Surgeries

In agreement with the clinic, the launch of surgical procedures is planned for early September. We are proud to have been part of the birth of such a significant project and that CORI technology is becoming an integral part of top-quality care at the University Hospital Královské Vinohrady.

Orthopedics Division

31st Congress of the European Association of Phoniatrics and the Czech National ENT Congress

From June 4–7, the Medical Technology Division, together with the ENT Division, participated in the 31st Congress of the European Association of Phoniatrics, which was held in conjunction with the Czech National ENT Congress. The event took place at the Cubex Congress Centre in Prague and was chaired by Prof. MUDr. Jan Bouček, Ph.D., from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and Motol University Hospital.

Promedica served as a gold partner of the congress. At our booth, we showcased the Collin Navigation Solution surgical navigation system for ENT, along with the Robotol robotic surgical system for otologic procedures, as well as ultrasound devices from Fujifilm and Clarius.

The ENT Division presented plasma coblation technology and ENT units from the Euroclinic brand. On June 6, during the lunch symposium, we organized a presentation and practical demonstration of Collin Medical technologies in cooperation with Motol University Hospital. Following theoretical presentations of the navigation system and Robotol, Prof. MUDr. Jan Bouček, Ph.D., from FN Motol performed a live demonstration of cochlear implant electrode insertionfrom the manufacturer Medel, using both advanced technologies on a 3D model of the temporal bone. The audience had the opportunity to observe how the combination of these cutting-edge systems significantly increases the accuracy of the entire insertion process, ensuring maximum patient safety and minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding structures in the inner ear.

We are pleased that the congress gave us the opportunity to strengthen relationships with existing clients, discover new business opportunities, and raise overall awareness of the solutions that Promedica brings to the Czech healthcare market.

Medical Technology and ENT Divisions

Advanced Arthroscopy in Prague: Promedica Co-Organizer of a Prestigious Cadaver Course

On June 17, 2025, Promedica took part as a co-organizer of a cadaver-based advanced knee arthroscopy course, held at the Department of Anatomy of the Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. In cooperation with partners Smith+Nephew and Soggiorno, we contributed to the successful realization of a high-level educational event offering physicians a unique opportunity to enhance their skills in modern arthroscopic techniques.

Hands-on Training Led by Top Experts

The course was led by renowned instructors:

  • Prof. MUDr. Petr Zeman, Ph.D., MBA
  • Dr. Petr Krejčí
  • Dr. René Boglevský

Thanks to their expertise and passion for teaching, participants had the opportunity to explore advanced arthroscopic procedures in depth – including cruciate ligament reconstructions, treatment of complex meniscal injuries, and other demanding interventions – all performed directly on human cadavers.

Modern Technology and Education in Practice

 Together with our partners, Promedica ensured the full technical and logistical support for the smooth running of the course – from state-of-the-art Smith+Nephew arthroscopy towers to the necessary instruments and materials.

The course placed strong emphasis on integrating the latest technologies with practical training and on fostering the exchange of experience between instructors and participants.

As a long-standing partner of healthcare providers and medical device manufacturers, Promedica is committed to supporting education and the professional development of physicians. This course represents another important step in fulfilling our mission – delivering top-level know-how and innovation directly into the hands of medical professionals who are transforming healthcare every day.

Orthopedics Division

Versius Plus Successfully Implemented at Kladno Regional Hospital

We are pleased to announce another successful installation of the Versius Plus robotic system in the Czech Republic. Kladno Regional Hospital has become the third facility in the country to implement the CMR Surgical Versius system into clinical practice.

In just the first month, the urology team has performed over 30 procedures, including prostatectomies, partial nephrectomies, and pyeloplasties. We sincerely thank MUDr. Jiří Kočárek and his team for their dedication, expertise, and excellent collaboration.

We are also very grateful to MUDr. Eric Potiron and the CMR Professional Education team for their professional support throughout the entire process.

In the coming months, both the colorectal and gynecology teams will be trained to ensure the robotic system’s full capabilities are utilised.

We look forward to continuing our cooperation with Kladno Regional Hospital and to further developing robot-assisted surgery with the CMR Versius system in the Czech Republic.

Medical Technologies Division

 

Launch of Silimed breast implants on the Czech market

We are pleased to announce that we have officially launched Silimed breast implants on the Czech market, a renowned Brazilian manufacturer with more than 40 years of tradition in the field of silicone implants.

The first augmentation surgery using Silimed implants took place on 10 June 2025 at Surgal Clinic Brno. This surgery represents an important milestone in our partnership with Silimed and confirms the readiness of the Czech market to accept innovative solutions in the field of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.

Our goal is to offer surgeons and patients a wider range of quality products – including polyurethane and microtextured implants with proven safety and high client satisfaction worldwide.

We thank everyone involved in the product launch and look forward to further collaboration!

Plastic surgery division

 

The First CORI Orthopedic Robotic System in the Czech Republic is Now in Operation

On June 9, 2025, the first CORI orthopedic robotic assistant in the Czech Republic was officially launched at SurGal Clinic in Brno. The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr. Petr Fiala.

“The orthopedic technologies we bring to market represent a new standard in patient care. Through close collaboration with leading global manufacturers such as Smith+Nephew, we are able to deliver not only greater safety and efficiency in surgical procedures, but also improved patient comfort and treatment outcomes. We are proud to make these technologies accessible to Czech patients and help elevate Czech healthcare to the highest international level,” said Pavel Hanuš, CEO of PROMEDICA PRAHA GROUP.

The installation of the CORI system at SurGal Clinic underscores the growing importance of robot-assisted surgery and reflects our company’s long-term strategy focused on innovation in healthcare.

Learn more about CORI here.

Orthopedics Division