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Four complex heart procedures performed without a single cut all-in-one day

Four complex heart procedures performed without a single cut all-in-one day

India Today6 days ago
In what cardiologists are calling a major step forward for congenital heart disease management in India, four patients underwent Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement (TPVR) procedures on July 3rd at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, without requiring open-heart surgery. TPVR is a minimally invasive technique that replaces a damaged heart valve using a thin, flexible tube (catheter) inserted through a blood vessel, avoiding the need to open the chest surgically.advertisementThe patients, all of whom had undergone surgery during childhood for Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a birth-related heart condition that affects normal blood flow through the heart, had returned years later with complications from a leaking pulmonary valve. This kind of leakage is a known long-term consequence of the initial repair. Traditionally, such cases would require another round of open-heart surgery, which comes with significant risks and extended recovery.Instead, the cardiology team carried out the TPVR procedures using the Harmony Valve system, a new-generation valve made of biological tissue and mounted on a metal frame. As a result of this treatment, the four patients: a 37-year-old from Delhi, a 17-year-old from Noida, a 14-year-old from Gurgaon, and a 15-year-old from Noida, were each discharged within 48 hours of the procedure, a significant reduction from the usual 10-12 day hospital stay.
"Globally, nearly 40% of patients who undergo childhood repair for Tetralogy of Fallot will require a pulmonary valve replacement within three decades." said Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Head & Professor, Paediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Disease,'In India, the vast majority of these reinterventions are still managed through conventional surgery. Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement (TPVR) offers a less invasive, faster alternative with a global success rate exceeding 95%, yet its uptake in India remains under 10%. This is largely due to issues of cost, access, and the fact that most clinical protocols here still prioritise surgical options.'Dr. Sushil Azad, Deputy Head & Principal Consultant, Paediatric Cardiology added, 'The TVPR procedure is particularly valuable for patients with prior multiple open-heart procedures or high surgical risk. In a country like India, where an estimated 200,000 children are born each year with congenital heart disease and access to timely surgical care remains limited, broader adoption of TPVR could be transformative. Integrating TPVR into standard CHD care pathways can help us deliver safer, faster, and more sustainable treatment to thousands who currently face delayed or repeated high-risk surgeries.'A multidisciplinary team of 5 interventional and pediatric cardiologists including Dr. Ankit Garg, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology; Dr. Savita Krishnamurthy Guin, Assistant Professor, Paediatric Cardiology; and Dr. Shashikapoor Dubbar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Paediatric Cardiology were involved in the successful procedures, with each lasting roughly 60 to 90 minutes.advertisementAmrita Hospital is currently the only centre in India independently authorised to perform the Harmony Valve implantation without international supervision.Amrita Hospitals is a leading multi-specialty healthcare institution committed to delivering world-class medical care with compassion and innovation. Established in 1998 under the visionary guidance of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), Amrita Hospitals operates with the core philosophy that healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.- Ends
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Paediatrician explains Blue Baby Syndrome: Know causes, symptoms and treatment
Paediatrician explains Blue Baby Syndrome: Know causes, symptoms and treatment

Hindustan Times

time2 days ago

  • Hindustan Times

Paediatrician explains Blue Baby Syndrome: Know causes, symptoms and treatment

A newborn's initial days require close attention and care, as even subtle changes can indicate serious underlying health issues, which may worsen over time if it does not receive proper medical care. This is why a newborn's parents need to be aware of any warning signals, as timely intervention can make all the difference. One of the concerns of the early days is the Blue Baby Syndrome. Anytime there's a deficiency of oxygen in the baby's body, blue baby syndrome occurs. (Shutterstock) ALSO READ: Baby skincare in monsoon: Dermat shares 5 skin problems and how to prevent them Weighing in on this, Dr (Prof) Virender Kumar Gehlawat, Consultant - Paediatrics & Head PICU, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, shared with HT Lifestyle about blue baby syndrome, which can mysteriously appear in the early days. He said, 'For some infants, a mysterious bluish tint in the skin, lips, nails, and mucous membrane appears, signalling a medical emergency - one known as Blue Baby Syndrome. Blue Baby Syndrome is not a disease in itself, but a sign of an underlying medical condition often indicating an underlying cardiac, Pulmonary or haemoglobin-related disorder resulting from insufficient oxygen in a baby's bloodstream, medically known as cyanosis.' Blue baby syndrome happens to infants under six months old.(Shutterstock) Since the primary cause of Blue Baby Syndrome is a lack of adequate oxygen in the body, parents need to monitor their baby's oxygen levels. As Dr Gehlawat explained,'Detecting cyanosis with the naked eye can be challenging, especially in mild cases, dark-skinned babies, or those with anaemia. Therefore, using a pulse oximeter, a simple device that measures oxygen levels in the blood, is crucial whenever cyanosis is suspected.' Why does it happen? 'Blue Baby Syndrome occurs when there is insufficient oxygen reaching the body's tissues. This can happen due to three main reasons: heart defects, lung problems, and abnormal haemoglobin, ' Dr Gehlawat opined. He shared three main reasons which may contribute to the oxygen deficiency: Heart defects: Congenital heart diseases like Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries, or truncus arteriosus may lead to mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood, reducing overall oxygen delivery to the body. Lung problems: Conditions like pneumonia, respiratory distress, or underdeveloped lungs in premature babies can impair oxygen exchange in the lungs, causing cyanosis. Abnormal haemoglobin: Rarely, disorders like methemoglobinemia interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leading to bluish discoloration even when lungs and heart are normal. What are the signs and symptoms? First of all, recognising the symptoms is essential, and can even be life-saving. A baby may seem healthy at birth, but certain symptoms can emerge soon after. Dr Gehlawat described the symptoms and tests, checks that help in diagnosis, "Babies with TOF may look normal at birth but begin to show signs and symptoms within the first few weeks of life. The classic symptom is bluish discolouration of the lips, tongue, and fingertips, especially during crying or feeding. Some babies experience sudden worsening of cyanosis, known as a 'Tet spell', where the child becomes very blue, breathless, and irritable. A good history, physical examination, 2D-Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), and other cardiac imaging confirm the diagnosis." Is it treatable? While it may seem disheartening when newborns face such serious conditions, Dr Gehlawat offered reassurance and explained that there's hope for recovery. He said, "Yes, Tetralogy of Fallot is a surgically correctable condition. Babies may initially require medications or a temporary surgical procedure to improve oxygenation. Definitive open-heart surgery, usually performed within the first year of life, repairs the structural defects and allows the heart to function normally. With timely intervention, most children go on to live healthy, active lives.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Four complex heart procedures performed without a single cut all-in-one day
Four complex heart procedures performed without a single cut all-in-one day

India Today

time6 days ago

  • India Today

Four complex heart procedures performed without a single cut all-in-one day

In what cardiologists are calling a major step forward for congenital heart disease management in India, four patients underwent Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement (TPVR) procedures on July 3rd at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, without requiring open-heart surgery. TPVR is a minimally invasive technique that replaces a damaged heart valve using a thin, flexible tube (catheter) inserted through a blood vessel, avoiding the need to open the chest patients, all of whom had undergone surgery during childhood for Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a birth-related heart condition that affects normal blood flow through the heart, had returned years later with complications from a leaking pulmonary valve. This kind of leakage is a known long-term consequence of the initial repair. Traditionally, such cases would require another round of open-heart surgery, which comes with significant risks and extended the cardiology team carried out the TPVR procedures using the Harmony Valve system, a new-generation valve made of biological tissue and mounted on a metal frame. As a result of this treatment, the four patients: a 37-year-old from Delhi, a 17-year-old from Noida, a 14-year-old from Gurgaon, and a 15-year-old from Noida, were each discharged within 48 hours of the procedure, a significant reduction from the usual 10-12 day hospital stay. "Globally, nearly 40% of patients who undergo childhood repair for Tetralogy of Fallot will require a pulmonary valve replacement within three decades." said Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Head & Professor, Paediatric Cardiology and Adult Congenital Heart Disease,'In India, the vast majority of these reinterventions are still managed through conventional surgery. Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement (TPVR) offers a less invasive, faster alternative with a global success rate exceeding 95%, yet its uptake in India remains under 10%. This is largely due to issues of cost, access, and the fact that most clinical protocols here still prioritise surgical options.'Dr. Sushil Azad, Deputy Head & Principal Consultant, Paediatric Cardiology added, 'The TVPR procedure is particularly valuable for patients with prior multiple open-heart procedures or high surgical risk. In a country like India, where an estimated 200,000 children are born each year with congenital heart disease and access to timely surgical care remains limited, broader adoption of TPVR could be transformative. Integrating TPVR into standard CHD care pathways can help us deliver safer, faster, and more sustainable treatment to thousands who currently face delayed or repeated high-risk surgeries.'A multidisciplinary team of 5 interventional and pediatric cardiologists including Dr. Ankit Garg, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology; Dr. Savita Krishnamurthy Guin, Assistant Professor, Paediatric Cardiology; and Dr. Shashikapoor Dubbar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Paediatric Cardiology were involved in the successful procedures, with each lasting roughly 60 to 90 Hospital is currently the only centre in India independently authorised to perform the Harmony Valve implantation without international Hospitals is a leading multi-specialty healthcare institution committed to delivering world-class medical care with compassion and innovation. Established in 1998 under the visionary guidance of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), Amrita Hospitals operates with the core philosophy that healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.- Ends

Cardiologist reveals 6 morning habits that keep his heart strong: Protein-rich breakfast, 5-minute meditation and more
Cardiologist reveals 6 morning habits that keep his heart strong: Protein-rich breakfast, 5-minute meditation and more

Hindustan Times

time19-07-2025

  • Hindustan Times

Cardiologist reveals 6 morning habits that keep his heart strong: Protein-rich breakfast, 5-minute meditation and more

How you spend the first few hours of the day can go a long way in shaping your health in the long-term. With rising cardiovascular diseases globally, it's high time health is prioritized to mitigate the side effects of stress, sedentary lifestyles and a constant hustle culture. So, we asked a cardiologist about his morning rituals for heart health. Start every day with good morning habits for a healthy heart.(Freepik) Morning routine for a healthy heart "When our health is not prioritized, in most of the cases, our heart pays the price for it. A little progress each morning, adds up to big results - this adage sums up the importance of a consistent morning routine that compounds into multiple health benefits, especially heart health," Dr Ankur Ulhas Phatarpekar, Structural Interventional Cardiologist and Co-Founder, Heart & Vascular Superspeciality Hospitals (HVS Hospitals), tells Health Shots. Here are the cardiologist's morning habits to keep heart healthy: 1. Hydration I begin my day by drinking water and replenishing my body. It may sound like a simple habit, but often easily missed. Water makes up a significant amount of blood, which is important for transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. So, beginning your day with hydration is important as it supports essential body functioning. 2. Diet I have a nutritious breakfast, which is protein-rich or includes complex carbs. Diet is an important part of my routine, overall health and especially heart health. I avoid saturated fats and trans fats which are detrimental to my heart and increase cholesterol levels. I eat small portions of meals every day at fixed times. This disciplined way of having food goes a long way in maintaining a good lifestyle. 3. Mindfulness practices Meditation plays an important role in managing stress level and lowering your blood pressure, both of which help in reducing the risk of heart diseases. My meditation routine involves sitting comfortably with closed eyes and focusing on my breathing, a mental image, or repetition of a single positive word or phrase. This does not need to be a 30-minute session. You can start with a 5-minute daily routine. There is a common perception that meditation is boring, but today we have access to so many apps and podcasts that help us make it interesting. 4. Soak in sunlight A lot of people are Vitamin D deficient, and this plays an important role in high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. It is very crucial to get a few minutes under the sun because it not only lifts your mood but also helps your body produce vitamin D. You do not have to start running immediately, but just a stroll in the garden will help you effectively. 5. Movement The World Health Organization recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. I make sure I include some physical activity in the first few hours of waking up, without fail. It could be yoga, walking, running or lifting weights. Just small physical activities for even a couple of minutes will enhance your cardiovascular fitness. 6. Avoid the mobile phone Along with all the above points I personally avoid using my mobile for at least 30 minutes after waking up and even before going to bed. It helps me focus and start the day more productively. These small changes will benefit you and your heart incrementally. So, start slow but start now, urges the expert.

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