Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Successfully Conducts Two Innovative Cardiac Procedures on 75-Year-Old Dialysis Patient
Chennai, August 7, 2023:
Apollo Hospitals on Greams Road, Chennai, recently accomplished a significant medical feat by performing two advanced cardiac procedures on a 75-year-old dialysis patient hailing from Thoothukudi district.
Having been on regular dialysis, the elderly patient experienced severe chest pains. After undergoing a coronary angiogram in Thoothukudi, significant calcified blockages were discovered in two of his heart vessels. Alongside, he had an irregular heartbeat, especially during his dialysis sessions.
Given the complexity of his health condition, he was subsequently referred to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Here, under the expert care of Dr. Refai Showkathali, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, and Dr. Raja Mahesh, Senior Consultant – Nephrologist, a comprehensive evaluation of his health was done.
Post-assessment, the family was informed about his challenging health state, particularly highlighting that he was overweight and had limited mobility. For treating the blockages caused by calcium deposits, the medical team opted for the "Orbital Atherectomy" technique. This state-of-the-art procedure breaks the calcium by rotating in an orbital fashion- approximately 80,000 to 1.2 Lakh rpm inside the blood vessel, paving the way for successful stent placement.
To address his low pulse rate, the doctors proposed a solution. Recognizing the risks due to his age and weakened immune system from dialysis, the team decided on a special pacemaker called "Micra". Elaborating on its uniqueness, Dr Refai Showkathali said, “Micra is a leadless pacemaker i.e. it does not need any wire or battery to create a pocket like the normal pacemaker. This is done via a pinhole in the groin and a small device (which is smaller than a “AAA” battery) weighing less than 2 gm is inserted directly into the heart and placed in position.”
Successfully undergoing both procedures in April 2023 at Apollo Hospitals, the patient was discharged in good health after a few days and continues to do well during his regular follow-ups.
This unprecedented event marks the first time both these innovative cardiac procedures were conducted on a single patient. The success story stands as a testament to the expertise, dedication, and collaborative spirit of the staff at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai.
Apollo Hospitals on Greams Road, Chennai, recently accomplished a significant medical feat by performing two advanced cardiac procedures on a 75-year-old dialysis patient hailing from Thoothukudi district.
Having been on regular dialysis, the elderly patient experienced severe chest pains. After undergoing a coronary angiogram in Thoothukudi, significant calcified blockages were discovered in two of his heart vessels. Alongside, he had an irregular heartbeat, especially during his dialysis sessions.
Given the complexity of his health condition, he was subsequently referred to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Here, under the expert care of Dr. Refai Showkathali, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, and Dr. Raja Mahesh, Senior Consultant – Nephrologist, a comprehensive evaluation of his health was done.
Post-assessment, the family was informed about his challenging health state, particularly highlighting that he was overweight and had limited mobility. For treating the blockages caused by calcium deposits, the medical team opted for the "Orbital Atherectomy" technique. This state-of-the-art procedure breaks the calcium by rotating in an orbital fashion- approximately 80,000 to 1.2 Lakh rpm inside the blood vessel, paving the way for successful stent placement.
To address his low pulse rate, the doctors proposed a solution. Recognizing the risks due to his age and weakened immune system from dialysis, the team decided on a special pacemaker called "Micra". Elaborating on its uniqueness, Dr Refai Showkathali said, “Micra is a leadless pacemaker i.e. it does not need any wire or battery to create a pocket like the normal pacemaker. This is done via a pinhole in the groin and a small device (which is smaller than a “AAA” battery) weighing less than 2 gm is inserted directly into the heart and placed in position.”
Successfully undergoing both procedures in April 2023 at Apollo Hospitals, the patient was discharged in good health after a few days and continues to do well during his regular follow-ups.
This unprecedented event marks the first time both these innovative cardiac procedures were conducted on a single patient. The success story stands as a testament to the expertise, dedication, and collaborative spirit of the staff at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai.