GKNM Hospital demonstrates trans-radial angioplasty to Malaysia !!
Advanced satellite communication technology enabled cardiologist Rajpal K. Abhaichand demonstrate from the hospital here complex angioplasty procedures to over 3,000 heart specialists assembled at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.The specialists from the Asia-Pacific region had gathered for the Sixth Malaysian Cardiovascular Interventional Symposium. GKNM Hospital was chosen to participate by transmitting live cases to those taking part in the meet that was organised by University of Malaya Medical Centre, Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology, National Heart Association and the Interventional Cardiovascular Society of Malaysia.
Two to three cases of trans-radial angioplasties were transmitted live to the conference venue. Dean of the hospital Ramkumar Raghupathy and Dr. Abhaichand described this opportunity as recognition for pioneering trans-radial angiography and angioplasty. The hospital had also conducted skill training for cardiologists in this technique.Trans-radial approach involved the accessing the heart for angiogram or angioplasty through an artery in the wrist, instead of the earlier approach of accessing through the one in the thigh, Dr. Abhaichand explained.
Two factors provide this approach a clear edge over the earlier one: patient could be mobile very soon after the procedures and the risks were eliminated.Patients needed to remain in the hospital only for four hours after the angiogram. Those who underwent angioplasty (placing a stent in the blocked artery in the heart) during the day could get discharged in the evening.Trans-radial approach was advised because there was no complication of bleeding. The artery in the wrist sat comfortably on the bone. So, by compressing it after the procedure, the bleeding could be stopped.
But, the distance between the head of the femur (thigh bone) and the artery in the thigh was three to four cm. So, by trying to compress the artery, the doctor would only be pressing into muscle. Thus, the bleeding would continue, Dr. Abhaichand said.Aneurysm (a bulge in the artery) was another risk, he said.
Since the artery and the vein ran close to each other in the thigh, there was the possibility of the surgery causing an arteriovenous fistula (an abnormal connection between the artery and vein). This risk was eliminated through the trans-radial approach as the artery passed through the wrist in isolation, Dr. Abhaichand said.
