Srinagar, March 30: A 43-year-old woman Arifa Bano traveled a long way from Pakistan to India to access much-needed care for her cardiac condition. She needed heart valve surgery as she was suffering from Mitral regurgitation (leakage of the heart) for over 27 years.
“She could have had traditional surgery at home, but she was told by family and friends to visit India where Cardiac specialists at Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences could fix her valve with the most advanced procedure without pain or prolonged hospitalization,” the hospital said in a press release, adding, “After evaluation at NH, she underwent a ‘MitraClip’ implantation procedure which is performed only at a few centers by specially skilled and experienced interventional cardiologists.”
The patient’s trust in Indian doctors was fully justified by the highly experienced team at Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH) at its flagship center in Bengaluru known for excellence in Cardiac Care, the statement said. After successfully performing the ‘MitraClip’ Implantation, the patient was mobilized without any symptoms within 24 hours and discharged from the hospital within only 72 hours of the procedure, it added.
“The patient was diagnosed with Mitral regurgitation at the age of 16 and had been advised to undergo valve surgery by repair or replacement, which typically requires open heart surgery. She had been experiencing breathlessness for over a decade and her condition had gradually worsened over the last 1.5 years, significantly affecting her daily routine,” said Dr. Uday Khanolkar, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology who has been trained for performing ‘MitraClip’ procedures at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, USA.
“We performed the MitraClip procedure at NH negating her need for open heart surgery. The procedure was completed within one hour and she was hospitalized for post-procedure observation for only 72 hours. On March 11, she was discharged from the hospital in a normal and active condition,” Dr. Uday said.
The ‘MitraClip’ procedure, which involves inserting a clip into the heart via a small puncture in the groin, has emerged as a non-surgical alternative to open heart surgery in recent years. The ‘MitraClip’ procedure is available in only select hospitals across the world.
Narayana Hrudayalaya is one of the leading centers for minimally invasive and non-surgical cardiac treatments and the team of doctors from Narayana Hrudayalaya has extensive experience in performing the procedure even in complex cases, said Dr. Sanjay Mehrotra, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiology. “We are now performing the procedure at our hospitals across India. Those who are suffering from similar problems can visit any of our hospitals,” he said.
Prior to the procedure, the surgical options were reviewed by a team of surgeons led by Dr. Devi Shetty, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Chairman of Narayana Health. After the review, the non-surgical ‘MitraClip’ procedure was performed by a team of experienced doctors led by Dr. Uday Khanolkar – Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Dr. Sanjay Mehrotra – Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology Dr. Satish Govind, Senior Consultant – Non-Invasive Cardiology, and Dr.Bagirath Raghuraman, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology.
“Narayana Hrudayalaya continues to be at the forefront of providing advanced and minimally invasive treatments for various heart conditions, and the successful MitraClip procedure on this patient from Pakistan is a testament to their expertise and commitment to patient care,” the hospital said.
The patient said, “I had a very traumatic heart condition for the past 27 years and in the last two years, it deteriorated further. I was hopeless and very scared for undergoing open heart valve replacement surgery. A family friend who was well aware of the experience and expertise of Indian cardiac specialists at Narayana Health saved my life by referring me to safe hands. We express deep gratitude towards them and the Hospital.”
The family is now all set to fly back home.
The credit for these advancements goes to the dedicated healthcare professionals and medical institutions who have been working tirelessly to improve cardiac care in the country. Their efforts have not only saved countless lives but have also established India as a leading destination for cardiac surgeries.
Congratulating the team, the Chairman of NH, Dr. Devi Shetty said, “India has made significant advancements in the treatment of cardiac ailments in recent years. With the advancements in technology and medical expertise, India has become a hub for advanced cardiac Care, including minimally invasive procedures and complex procedures like ‘MitraClip.’ These advancements have not only helped improve the outcomes of cardiac treatments but have also made them more accessible to patients in India and abroad. Our surgeons’ and cardiologists’ expertise and dedication to providing advanced cardiac care are truly commendable. They are an inspiration to the entire medical community.”
