MGM Healthcare Malar Achieves India First with Dual Minimally Invasive Cardiac Procedures Without Surgery

Chennai, April 29, 2026: In a landmark advancement for cardiac care in India, MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, has successfully performed the country’s first combined minimally invasive cardiac procedures—Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) along with the implantation of a dual chamber leadless pacemaker—in a single patient, entirely without open-heart surgery.

The breakthrough procedure was carried out on a 75-year-old woman with a prior history of bypass surgery, who presented with severe breathlessness affecting her daily life. She had also experienced multiple episodes of loss of consciousness over three months, pointing to a serious cardiac condition.

Detailed diagnostic evaluation, including a CT aortogram, revealed severe aortic stenosis—a critical narrowing of the heart’s main valve—and a 2:1 atrioventricular (AV) block, a condition that disrupts the heart’s electrical signaling. The coexistence of these conditions, combined with her age and surgical history, placed the patient in a high-risk category for conventional surgery.

Faced with these challenges, a multidisciplinary cardiac team led by Dr. Madan Mohan, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, opted for a completely catheter-based approach. The team first performed TAVI to replace the diseased aortic valve, restoring normal blood flow. This was followed by the implantation of a dual chamber leadless pacemaker system.

Unlike traditional pacemakers that require surgical pockets and connecting wires, the leadless system involves placing two miniature devices directly inside the heart chambers. These devices communicate wirelessly to regulate heart rhythm, offering a safer and less invasive alternative.

Both procedures were performed through a small entry point in a blood vessel in the leg, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery. This approach significantly reduced the risk of complications such as infections, shortened ICU stay, and enabled faster recovery. The patient was discharged within 48 hours of the intervention.

Dr. Madan Mohan described the achievement as a major milestone in Indian cardiac care. “This is the first time in India that TAVI and a dual chamber leadless pacemaker have been successfully combined in a single patient. It represents a significant leap in treating both structural and electrical heart disorders through minimally invasive techniques,” he said.

Hospital leadership emphasized that such innovations are shaping the future of cardiac treatment. Mr. Venugopal Bhat, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President – Group Strategic Initiatives, noted that the procedure reflects a growing shift towards precision-based, device-driven therapies that minimize surgical trauma while improving patient outcomes.

Medical experts believe that this combined approach could become a viable option for high-risk patients who are not suitable candidates for traditional open-heart surgery, marking a new era in advanced, minimally invasive cardiac care in India.

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