Many young patients in their twenties and thirties succumbing to heart attacks in India:

Chandigarh, July 14

Heart diseases are increasing at an alarming rate, with many young patients in their twenties and thirties succumbing to heart attacks in India. This trend is a huge concern for cardiologists, said Dr H K Bali, world-renowned interventional cardiologist, who is the founder patron of HEART Foundation and Chairman of Cardiac Sciences of Livasa Hospitals (formerly IVY hospitals). 

HEART Foundation, in association with Livasa Hospitals, organized a day-long academic program—CIIST360, at Chandigarh on Sunday, to highlight the latest advances in the field of cardiology. Around 250 cardiologists and physicians from different states and union territories of North India attended the conference. Eminent speakers from the region, as well as experts from New Delhi and Kolkata, delivered lectures on various cardiac diseases, including coronary artery diseases, structural heart diseases, and heart failure. Delegates had the opportunity to interact with distinguished speakers and discuss specific patient cases, enhancing the collaborative spirit of the event.

During the event, Dr Bali highlighted the numerous advances in the medical field that are now saving the lives of heart patients, especially those with poor heart function, considered untreatable, or those in which traditional methods could not be performed. The notable advancements include Protected Angioplasty in which a miniature pump ‘Impella’ is inserted for better results and faster recovery.

Dr. Bali emphasized the importance of image-guided angioplasty using IVUS or OCT, which provides better short-term and long-term results. 

In addressing the needs of elderly patients at high surgical risk, Dr. Bali discussed the non-surgical treatment of aortic valve stenosis through the percutaneous technique called TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation). This procedure can even be performed safely in elderly patients with surgical risks.

Dr M K Das from Kolkata emphasized that artificial intelligence is going to play an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure. He said already in many hospitals, AI is being used to better manage heart failure patients to reduce recurrent admissions in hospitals.

Dr T S Kler from Delhi explained that irregular heartbeat (Atrial fibrillation) is becoming a very common clinical problem and it can be an important cause of strokes. It is now possible to treat such patients, especially in the early stage of the disease by ablation procedures. He said that with 3D EP systems currently available the success of ablation procedures has significantly increased.

Dr Arun Chopra senior cardiologist said that many patients with heart failure need pacemakers to improve the functioning of heart function and to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in them. He said that in appropriately selected patients these devices can be very effective in improving their left ventricular function. 

Prof Ajay Behl talked about the latest advances and current guidelines in the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. He said that it is important that all four groups of medicines are started as early as possible and their doses increased to the guideline-directed levels for maximum benefit for these patients.

Dr. Himanshu Gupta from PGI presented advanced techniques for treating heavily calcified coronary arteries using image guidance, Rota ablation, intravascular lithotripsy, and cutting balloons.

Dr. Atul Mathur discussed angioplasty and stenting for complex carotid artery blocks, highlighting its effectiveness and safety in preventing strokes in the elderly.