COVID 19 will eventually be gone but cardiac diseases are here to stay. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that include coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, diseases of the aorta and other conditions.
An 85-year-old patient was brought to Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, with complex coronary artery disease. Considering his age and other health complications, Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive CABG was considered as the best treatment option. Dr M M Yusuf and his team performed the procedure and the patient had a smooth post-operative recovery. The patient was discharged within 48 hours.
Speaking about this procedure, Dr. M. M. Yusuf, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai said, “Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive CABG is the least invasive method of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Blood loss and pain are negligible. Hospital stay is very short and recovery is extremely quick. This procedure is suitable to treat many patients with single and multi-vessel coronary artery disease. Patients can return back to full normal activity with 2 weeks. Especially, during the pandemic, such procedures are a blessing for patients as they are not required to stay at the hospital for a longer period.”
At Apollo Hospitals, the department of Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac surgery have always been proving their strength by performing many firsts and challenging procedures. The team has been performing procedures to address complex coronary lesions, valve disorders and also performed miraculous invasive procedures on patients who have been deemed unfit for surgery due to various factors, including age, previous surgeries and other high risk complications. The majority of adult cardiac procedures are now performed through Minimally Invasive approaches by well-trained experts, capitalizing on the available cutting edge technology and infrastructure.
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai is one of the few hospitals in India to have integrated Artificial intelligence based Robotic procedures under one roof. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) is the most common cardiac surgery performed in the world. CABG surgery is still preferred over angioplasty (stent insertion) in patients with single, double or multi-vessel coronary artery disease, involving the proximal portion of the artery, patients with reduced heart function and in diabetic patients. Surgery has better long-term outcomes in these patients as opposed to angioplasty. Minimally Invasive CABG surgery is a suitable option to treat most of these patients.
When the above Minimally Invasive CABG is combined with angioplasty (Drug Eluting Stent insertion) it is termed as Hybrid Surgery. This procedure combines the best of MICS- CABG and PCI -stent insertion to provide best short and long term outcome for patients. The combined approach enables clinicians to treat even more patients through minimally invasive procedures who otherwise may require conventional open CABG. Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai is a pioneer in this field and has performed the highest number of these hybrid procedures in India. Robotic assist Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery involves making tiny holes in the left chest cavity through which surgery is performed with the help of a Da-Vinci Robotic system. This unique procedure is performed in very few centres across the globe. At Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai Dr M M Yusuf and his team have been performing this procedure with superior outcomes. Robotic Assist CABG is beneficial in treating young patients who need to return to work early, as well as elderly patients who tend to recover with least morbidity.
The mitral valve is one among the 4 valves that streamline blood flow through the heart into the lungs and out to the body. The mitral valve can be damaged due to various causes such as Rheumatic heart diease, Degenerative heart disease, heart attack, infection, trauma, etc. Rheumatic Mitral Valve disease is widely prevalent amongst lower socio-economic groups in developing countries, including India. Most patients with mitral valve disease can be treated by MICS valve replacement or repair. Following valve replacement, these patients need to take blood thinning (anticoagulant) tablets throughout their life to prevent blood clot formation within the heart and the valve. If blood clots form they can migrate to other parts of the body and cause stroke. If the effect of anticoagulant becomes excessive, this can lead to internal bleeding within the body and turn out to be fatal. Regular blood tests and dietary restrictions are essential to keep the anticoagulant effect within the required therapeutic limit. To avoid anticoagulant related problems and retain good heart function, repair of the patient’s native valve is increasingly practiced in recent years. In India mitral valve repair through minimally invasive approach is performed in very few centres and Apollo Hospitals, Chennai is proud to be one among the few.
Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) procedures are extremely beneficial to patients in reducing trauma, pain, blood loss, hospital stay and enabling early return to normal activity. Unlike in the West, where most patients are above 65, it is unfortunate that in our country most cardiac patients are below the age of 60. These are typically the bread winning years for many households, so returning to normal working activity as soon as possible is crucial. To this cadre of patients, the benefit of very quick recovery through Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is exponentially advantageous. The Apollo Group of Hospitals aim to provide these modern innovative procedures to benefit as many patients as possible.
