Non-surgical procedures to correct heart ailments performed free of cost
NEW DELHI: The Cardiology Department of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM MCH & RC) has successfully completed non-surgical closure of holes in the heart for three children free of cost, on a single day. A similar non-surgical procedure to correct a link between the Aorta and Pulmonary Artery was also performed successfully on a 12-year-old boy, also free of cost.
Dr. P.Sathyanarayanan, Pro-Chancellor (Academics), SRM Institute of Science and Technology, said only a handful of hospitals in Tamil Nadu had the capabilities to perform this procedure that had several benefits compared to open heart surgeries.
Non-surgical procedures:
The procedure — ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) Device Closure was performed on Priyadarshini (4 years old), Kavin (5) and 13-year-old Vannamathi. Normally, such defects are closed only by surgical methods (open heart surgery) which has some limitations such as prolonged hospital stay, a permanent scar in the chest, and post-surgical arrhythmias. These limitations are eliminated by this non-surgical closure by a device.
Doctors at SRMMCH&RC said the three children were born with holes in the heart between the two upper chambers — atria. The holes develop while the babies are still in the foetus of their mother. These holes will never close in the individual’s lifetime on its own and must be closed to avoid repeated chest infections and failure of the right side of the heart. Sometimes, holes between the two ventricles (VSD — Ventricular Septal Defect) can close on its own till the child reaches 13 years of age.