The hour-long programme took attendees through clinically oriented topics such as advanced TAVR management with the support of effective case studies
Medica Group of Hospitals recently organised a panel discussion on ‘Transcatheter Valve Replacement’ in Kolkata. The goal was to educate the common people and community about heart valve replacement by simple heart catheters inside the Cath Lab by Interventional Cardiologists instead of Valve replacement by Cardiac Surgeons inside the Surgical Operation Theatre, under prolonged general anaesthesia and ventilation. Aortic Valve replacement with the help of a Cardiac Catheter is popularly known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement or TAVR.
Prof Dr Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice-Chairman & Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Dr Dilip Kumar, Director of Cardiac Cath Lab – Senior Consultant Intervention Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, and Dr Anup Banerjee, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital were among those who attended the panel discussion.
The hour-long programme took attendees through clinically oriented topics such as advanced TAVR management with the support of effective case studies and the current state of TAVR in India as well as its success rate.
While talking about TAVR, Prof Dr Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice-Chairman & Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, said, “When heart valves are operated on, it is typically an open-heart surgery under full anaesthesia where the valves are replaced. However, surgeons no longer need to open the heart to access the valves, as transcatheter valve replacement has become the norm in valve replacement procedures. The dosage of anaesthesia is milder in these cases, and patients can return home in the span of a few days following surgery. When transcatheter valve replacement is done in the aortic valve, it is referred to as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement” (TAVR). Unlike surgical aortic valve replacement, TAVR is a less time-consuming medical procedure. In India, transcatheter valve replacement was introduced in 2016, gaining popularity rapidly. At Medica, we have successfully performed over 20 transcatheter valve replacement procedures in the past three and half years, which is the highest in eastern India.”
He further added, “The Heart Team in Medica Superspecialty Hospital has now gained the reputation and expertise in performing this complex Heart Valve Replacement Operation through Catheter with a minimum hospital stay. There was no complication in any of those cases in our centre.”
Three critical TAVR case studies that Medica recently witnessed were also highlighted by the panel members during the panel discussion.
Dr Dilip Kumar, Director of Cardiac Cath Lab – Senior Consultant Intervention Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, stated, “A faster rate of patient recovery, a lower risk of infection, and cost-effectiveness make the TAVR procedure the preferred option. Like an angioplasty, the technology used in the TAVR procedure is accepted in the global medical community. Ideally, it is performed on patients over the age of 60. The team at the department of cardiology at Medica has expertise from many years of performing sensitive surgical procedures such as angioplasty and has successfully incorporated the TAVR procedure into their practice, providing a safe and effective option for elderly patients. The team believes in providing ample information and preparing the patients mentally and physically so they can have the best chance of healing and recovery.”
Echoing the thoughts of Dr Kumar, Dr Anup Banerjee former DGAFMS and senior-most cardiologist in armed forces, Presently Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Medical Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, averred, “TAVR is a one-of-a-kind and complex procedure. However, with an experienced heart team like the one we have at Medica Hospital, such complex cases can be achieved without any complications. Catheter-Based Valve Replacement will soon be the procedure of choice for heart valve disease. Patients with multiple comorbid conditions and those over the age of 65 are currently candidates for Transcatheter Valve Replacement because they are not medically fit to undergo long-term general anaesthesia.”
R Udayan Lahiry, Director, Medicasynergie, said, “Medica has always believed in bringing advanced technology and clinical know-how to the eastern region so that patients can benefit without having to travel to other parts of the country. The double TAVR case in a rheumatic heart is one such first-time case in the world, and we at Medica are proud to bring world-class medical technology to the citizens of West Bengal and the Eastern region.”
