Redefining Lives - Apollo Hospitals Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

• 85 year old man recovered from Coronary Artery Disease

Chennai: 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, these include, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, disease of the aorta and other conditions. With more and more people staying at home maintaining a sedentary lifestyle, number of cardiac health problems are on the rise.

(L – R) Dr.MM. Yusuf, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals with patient

Recently an 85 year old man from Chennai was brought to Apollo hospitals with a complex coronary artery disease. Considering his age and other health complications Robotic assisted minimally invasive CABG was considered the best treatment option. Dr M M Yusuf, and team performed the procedure and the patient had a smooth postoperative recovery and was discharged within 48 hours.

Speaking about this procedure, Dr.MM. Yusuf, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, said, “Robotic assisted CABG is the least invasive method of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Blood loss and pain are negligible. Hospital hospital stay is very short and recovery is extremely quick. This procedure is suitable to treat many patients with single and multivessel vessel coronary artery disease. Patients can return back to full normal activity with 2 weeks. Especially during such times of pandemic, such procedures are a blessing for patients as they are not required to stay at the hospital for longer period.”

(Center) Dr.MM. Yusuf, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals with patient family

At Apollo Hospitals, the department of intervention 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 risks complications.

Majority of adult cardiac procedures are now performed through Minimally Invasive approaches by well trained medical personnel; capitalising on the available cutting edge technology and infrastructure.

Advantages of MICS to the patient

• Reduced tissue trauma and wound infection
• Reduced blood loss, thus avoiding all risks of blood transfusion.
• Reduced postoperative pain
• Reduced ICU and hospital stay
• Early return to full activity and work - within 2 to 4 weeks
• Small scars - cosmetic appeal

Apollo Hospitals Chennai, is one of the few hospitals in India to have all integrated Artificial intelligence based Robotic procedures under one roof. Below are live saving minimally invasive cardiac procedures performed at Apollo Hospitals Chennai.

Minimally Invasive – CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) is the most common cardiac surgery performed in the world. CABG surgery is still preferred over angioplasty (stent insersion) in patients with single, double or multivesel 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.

Hybrid Surgery ( MICS - CABG + Percutaneous Drug Eluting Stent Insertion)

When the above Minimally Invasvie CABG  is combined with angioplasty (Drug Eluting Stent insertion) it is termed, 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 inavsive procedures who otherwise may require conventional open CABG. Apollo Hopsitals, 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 surgery

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. The added advantages of using the Davinci robotic system in MICS surgery are

Use of multiple arms (3/4) with 360 degree movement.

• High precision with no tremor
• High definition camera with magnified vision
• little blood loss
• Tiny cut and scar with negligible pain.

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 the above procedure with excellent outcome.  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

 Mitral Valve Repair

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, Degenrative 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 anticoagualant becomes excessive this can lead to internal bleeding within the body and turn out to be fatal. Regular blood tests and dietry restrictions are essential to keep 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 practised 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’s 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 cader of patients the benefit of very quick recovery through minimally invasive cardiac surgery is exponentially benign. Apollo group of Hospitals aim to provide these modern innovative procedures to benefit as many patients as possible.

About Apollo Hospitals

It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap C Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital - Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Now, as Asia’s foremost trusted integrated healthcare group, its presence includes over 12,000 beds across 72 Hospitals, 3400 Pharmacies, over 90 Primary Care clinics and 150 Diagnostic centers, 110  plus Telemedicine Centres, over 15 medical education centres and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research, Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of new medical advancements with the most recent investment being the commissioning of South East Asia’s very first Proton Therapy Centre in Chennai.

Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual. In a rare honour, the Government of India had issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010.

For 35 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Its hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in the country for advanced medical services.

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