Level Ex launches game to train cardiologists

Level Ex announced its expansion into cardiology with thelaunch of Cardio Ex. The company’s fourth specialty game presentsinterventional cardiologists with adrenaline-pumping scenarios that push theircognitive, spatial-reasoning, and decision-making skills to the limit—preparingthem for critical cases they may encounter in the catheterization lab. Thecompany will be publicly launching Cardio Ex during the American College ofCardiology (ACC) annual meeting during March 16–18, 2019 in New Orleans, LA.

Despite the high stakes under which interventionalcardiologists operate—treating patients with life-threatening heartdiseases—most refine techniques, train on new medical devices, or encounter complicationsfor the first time on live patients. Level Ex brings engaging training options tophysicians’ phones and tablets, providing a risk-free alternative that can beaccessed anywhere.

Cardio Ex is the result of a collaboration between thecompany’s video game developers and dozens of expert cardiologists from topacademic institutions. The game leverages state-of-the-art audio and visualeffects and proven game design methodologies built on cognitive neuroscience todrive physician engagement.

“Thousands of cardiologists have been removing polyps fromcolons and foreign objects from airways in our other video games, pushing forLevel Ex to release a game in their specialty,” said Sam Glassenberg, founderand CEO of Level Ex. “In response to that demand, our Triple-A game designers,artists and engineers have been unleashed onto interventional cardiology. Theresult is our most challenging game to date that amplifies the thrill andintensity of the cath lab.”

Some of the Cardio Ex in-game features include reimaginedfluoroscopy visualizations that encourage cardiologists to approach complexscenarios from a new perspective and an arsenal of configurable tools fromnon-compliant and semi-compliant balloons, DES and PTFE stents, aspirationcatheters, atherectomy drills, and more that can be manipulated in virtualpatients’ diseased arteries to restore blood flow.

Interventional cardiology is just the beginning for CardioEx; the company plans to release more content in general cardiology,electrophysiology and peripheral interventions later in the year. Additionalgame updates scheduled for 2019 include sponsored levels featuring productsfrom Level Ex’s medical device and pharmaceutical partners.