HEART SURGERY AT AFFORDABLE COSTS

An internationally acclaimed Cardio-thoracic Surgeon, Dr.V.V. Bashi, Clinical Director and Chief Surgeon, Malar Hospitals, performs beating heart operations and is also credited with the country's first autograft stenting.

Beating heart surgery is performed on those with high-risk. For the high-risk category, it will be difficult to put them on a heart-lung machine. The disadvantages of using the heart-lung method are that it needs large amounts of blood. Normally, 6-10 units of blood is needed for the heart and lung method. In beating heart surgery, hardly any blood is needed. It is almost bloodless. Total costs will drastically reduce in the beating heart operation by Rs.20, 000. Patients take less time to recover. Long-term results might be the same, but the short-term benefits will be high.

It started in the1960's. Earlier also beating heart operations were done. It is not that it is new. Doctors have started adopting this method again now along with the ones with the heart-lung machine.

In the U.S. nearly 20% of the heart operations are Open Heart Operations. In India, it is much lower.

I have been doing this for the past 7-8 years.

What has been the success rate at the Cardiac Unit?

In the past three months, we have done 150 operations at the cardiac unit, with a success rate of 99.5%

Heart Care Forum members help the patients in many ways. We intend to increase public awareness about the heart and its ailments. We also would like to undertake a study and identify the risk factors and the risk categories.

Who are the ones most susceptible to a heart attack?

Those with a family history of Heart complaints, Diabetes, over weight, those with Hypertension are risk categories. Constant screening test is needed to identify risk

One needs to be very cautious about the diet. A vegetarian diet is good for the heart. Stress is very bad for heart. Avoiding things, which tend to increase stress levels, will help in the long run.

No.Cardiac arrest is the stopping of the heart.

Heart ailments are on the rise in urban areas in India. Nearly 20% of the population are affected due to the fast pace of life and the stress it imposes on the individual. Out of 10, nearly 4 die due to heart complaints in urban areas.

A person affected with heart attack should be given a cardiac massage. It is better that people learn cardiac massage. In India, this kind of life-saving awareness is not there.

Prevention is better than cure. Therefore avoid such food and lifestyle which is stressful. After the 30's, a routine check up of the cholesterol and lipids should be done annually. Check for diabetes and take a balanced diet. Exercise is the most essential thing. It is very important. Yoga helps to a considerable extent.

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