Patient gets benefit of short-term artificial heart at city hospital

On April 30, Krishnan, a 60-yearold auditor, was in the ICU of a hospital in Mylapore for the treatment of advanced heart failure. However, he was not fit to be transferred to another facility for immediate treatment. With an added complication of a developing lung failure and a near cardiac arrest, there were limited options left for doctors at SIMS. 

The doctors were called in for moving the patient into the facility in Vadapalani for specialised treatment. The doctors who reached the hospital in a few minutes, assessed his condition and put him on to an artificial heart and lung machine called the ‘Extracorporeal Life Support’ that took over his heart and lung fucntions. 

Dr Gopalamurugan, senior consultant interventional cardiologist, said, “He was a high risk patient with multiple complications. In such cases, if there is any further delay in treatment, it could result in death” With both heart and lung stabilised, the patient who was moved in an ambulance to SIMS, where an angiogram and valvuloplasty (involving opening up of a narrowed valve to improve heart function) was performed while he was still being supported by the machine. 

Krishnan recovered well and as he responded positively to treatment, he was taken off the machine. Subsequently, Dr VV Bashi, who heads the Institute for Cardiac and Advanced Aortic Disorders at SIMS, carried a valve replacement and bypass operation. On Thursday, when Krishnan met the press, flanked by the team, he called for better awareness among public. 

“Today, there are a number of branches within cardiology to offer the best of treatment and expertise. And, it is also important to make sure that these treatment options reach the patients, this paradigm shift is important,” said Dr Gopalamurugan.