The cardiology department of the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram successfully completed six unusual cardiac procedures, which was a noteworthy accomplishment for the facility. These procedures used minimally invasive keyhole surgery techniques to repair various congenital and acquired cardiac abnormalities.
The treatments addressed numerous conditions: big atrial septal defects (ASDs), ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in adults, atrial septal aneurysms, and paravalvular leaks after valve surgeries. An atrial septal defect is a congenital cardiac condition where a hole is found in the wall (septum) that separates the heart’s upper chambers (atria). This disorder causes oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood, which, if untreated, can result in heart failure and other consequences. Similar to this, a ventricular septal defect is a congenital disorder in which the wall dividing the ventricles—the lower chambers of the heart—becomes perforated, causing an irregular flow of blood between the chambers.
Another disorder affecting the atrial septum is an atrial septal aneurysm, in which excess tissue grows and gives the appearance of bulging. This may develop over time or be innate. Arrhythmias may result from the disease, and stroke risk may increase. On the other hand, a paravalvular leak is a potential side effect following the implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. If the gap between the implanted valve and the surrounding tissue is not closed, blood leakage can occur in these situations and lead to heart failure.
Saturday saw the completion of these six intricate procedures on patients ranging in age from 28 to 57. In contrast to open heart surgery, which involves larger incisions and more risk of infection, keyhole surgery is a minimally invasive method that employs tiny incisions and specialized devices to perform all procedures with shorter recovery times.
The surgeries were led by Dr. K. Shivaprasad, the chief of the cardiology department. The fact that this was the first time the Government Medical College Hospital has carried out such procedures shows how capable the facility is becoming at managing complicated cardiac problems. Although these procedures would run up to Rs. 4-5 lakh in the private sector, the medical institution offered them for free thanks to a number of government initiatives, giving the patients and their families significant financial relief.
Health Minister Veena George congratulated the group on their accomplishments and acknowledged their efforts to ensure that everyone has access to high-tech medical services at no cost.
SOURCE :
TIMES OF INDIA
