Renowned Japanese intervention cardiologists Dr Yuchi Naguchi and Dr Manabu Fujinawa would transfer technological intricacies and skills of ultra modern Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) angioplasty to their Indian counterparts during two day workshop at Fortis Escorts hospital. The workshop started on Monday. Informing newsmen about CTO angioplasty, the Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Fortis Escorts Hospital Dr Yogendra Singh said that Chronic Total Occlusion is a condition where a hardened block in the coronary artery is left untreated or undetected for over three months, causing cardiac pain to the patient on exertion. Traditionally these patients have been advised bypass surgery but now CTO angioplasty is a preferred option as it is safe and advisable for younger patients. Dr Singh said that the Japanese cardiologists have developed expertise in this technology which is unmatched. He informed that in two day workshop 10 patients would be operated upon. Incidentally in India up to 30 percent of Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) patients are treated through by pass surgery which is gradually becoming obsolete in developed countries. In Japan for instance only 3 percent of CVD patients are treated through bypass surgery.
“The incidence of heart disease in Uttarakhand has doubled in the past decade, and more and more young people are becoming prey to the disease. In fact, 30 percent of those who come to me with heart disease are under the age of 40. The reasons for this include a poor lifestyle, limited physical exercise, technological dependence and high-stress levels,’’ Dr Singh said.
Due to delay in arrival of flight the duo of Japanese cardiologists could not make it to the interaction session with the media. later they released a statement in which they said that India and Japan have both seen a rise in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. “It is extremely worrying to see the pace at which lifestyle irregularities are leading to an increased incidence of coronary heart disease across Asian nations. We have discussed some guidelines for the treatment of Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD) and latest treatment options available for complex coronary artery diseases,” said Dr Noguchi and Dr Fujinawa in a joint statement.