Sunday, 22 October, 2023
Heart attack is one of the common medical emergencies, which if not recognized and treated in a timely fashion can have catastrophic consequences including mortality. Heart attack treatment usually occurs because of formation of a blood clot in one of the coronary arteries (blood vessels which supply blood to the heart). It results in complete cessation of blood supply to the part of the heart muscle supplied by that vessel. The heart muscle then starts to die and if the blood supply is not restored permanent damage will occur.
Treatment for Heart Attack - Concept of Golden Hour:
The immediate treatment involves giving various medications including blood thinners (tablets and injection), anti-cholesterol drugs and painkillers. The definitive treatment involves opening the occluded artery to restore the blood supply. Traditionally, this was via a strong clot busting injection called thrombolysis. However, thrombolysis is effective in roughly 50-70% patients. The gold standard treatment for heart attack now is Primary Angioplasty. The success rate of this procedure is close to 95% and if undertaken within the golden period (less than 6 hours since the heart attack) results in complete recovery with very minimal residual heart damage.
Primary Angioplasty:
Primary angioplasty is undertaken in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. It involves accessing the arterial system via the arteries in the forearm (radial artery) or the groin (femoral artery). A fine bore catheter is passed near the heart where the coronary arteries arise. A radio-opaque dye is injected into the artery and X-ray pictures are taken at the same time. This gives a road-map of the coronary arteries and demonstrates the site of blockage. Then a fine wire called an angioplasty wire is threaded across the blockage. An angioplasty balloon is railroaded on the angioplasty wire to the site of occlusion. The balloon is then inflated at 10-12 atm pressures. Following this the balloon is deflated and removed. This part of the procedure opens the blockage and also makes space for the stent to be placed at the site. The stent is a cylindrical metal coil made of various alloys and coated with anticancer drugs. The anticancer drug reduces the inflammation and prevents re-blockage from occurring. The stent is mounted on a balloon. The stent catheter system is then passed over the wire till the site of occlusion. The stent balloon is then expanded which opens the stent. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. The stent remains there providing scaffold like support to the artery and also the blockage disappears.
At Kauvery Hospital we have the Best Cardiologist in Bangalore. The recovery following angioplasty is pretty fast and the patient is usually discharged in a couple of days. The patient then undergoes a period of cardiac rehabilitation to enable good recovery from the heart attack. The patients following angioplasty need to be on blood thinner medications life long. For one year they take two blood thinners and then at least one blood thinner life long. Primary angioplasty has revolutionized the treatment of heart attacks and more than 90% of patients make very good recovery and have an almost normal quality of life. Most patients get back to work in 4 weeks and to full fitness levels in 6-8 weeks time.
Trust in the expertise of Kauvery Hospital's PTCA Surgeons in Bangalore, where our commitment to your cardiac health ensures you receive the best care and support throughout your journey to recovery and beyond.
Choosing the Best Cardiologist:
When it comes to your heart health, selecting the right Cardiologist in Bangalore is crucial. Ensure you make an informed decision by evaluating factors like their expertise, experience, credentials, patient reviews, and hospital affiliations. Look for a specialist who demonstrates a patient-centered approach, effective communication skills, and a commitment to personalized treatment plans. At Kauvery Hospital, we have the Best Cardiologist in Bangalore with 50+ years of experience who can cater to your unique requirements. When you choose the ideal cardiologist, you can rest assured that you'll receive exceptional care, ultimately leading to the attainment of peak heart health outcomes.
Conclusion:
Kauvery Hospital, renowned as Best Heart Hospital in Bangalore, assumes a vital role in the management of heart diseases and the advancement of cardiovascular well-being. Leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, they excel in diagnosing and treating heart conditions with unparalleled precision and efficacy. Their synergy with fellow healthcare experts fosters a holistic and all-encompassing patient care approach. By selecting the best Cardiologist in Electronic City suited to your individual needs, you guarantee personalized treatment and superior results. Place your confidence in the adept cardiologists at Kauvery Hospitals for the highest caliber of care and unwavering support on your heart health journey.
Authored By: Dr. Ganesh Nallur Shivu
MBBS MRCP PhD (Cardiology) CCT AFESC
Senior Consultant - Interventional Cardiology