The Business Bytes
Kolkata, November 12, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Manipal Hospitals, one of India’s largest healthcare networks, recently held a high-level workshop on advanced techniques in Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) at their Mukundapur facility in Kolkata. Led by renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. Marc Silvestri from Clinique Axium in Aix-en-Provence, France, the workshop addressed critical cardiac challenges through live case demonstrations and discussions on the latest PCI advancements. The session drew attention to India’s alarming rates of cardiac diseases, a concern that has earned the country the unfortunate title of the “Heart Attack Capital of the World.”
Prominent cardiologists and healthcare professionals attended the workshop, including Dr. Uttam Kumar Saha, Head of Cardiology at Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur, along with Dr. Amit Bhauwala, Dr. Dilip Kumar, and Dr. Soumya Patra. The experts emphasized the increasing incidences of heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths, particularly among younger adults, and discussed the role of advanced PCI in addressing this crisis.
The workshop featured live demonstrations of three advanced PCI techniques, offering innovative solutions for complex coronary conditions that traditional PCI often cannot resolve. Dr. Uttam Kumar Saha explained, “Intravascular Lithotripsy, for instance, uses sound waves to break up calcium buildup in arteries, making it easier to place stents in challenging cases. Additionally, intra-coronary imaging technologies like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) enable us to get highly detailed views of artery structure, which aids in precise diagnosis and treatment planning.”
Dr. Dilip Kumar highlighted the life-saving potential of complex PCI procedures: “This method offers a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery, especially beneficial for high-risk patients. It alleviates symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, significantly improving the patient’s quality of life. In emergencies, complex PCI can rapidly open blocked arteries, potentially saving lives.”
Dr. Soumya Patra pointed to the importance of workshops like this in today’s evolving cardiac care landscape, especially as post-COVID cardiac events continue to surge. “This workshop provides an invaluable opportunity for knowledge exchange and learning from Dr. Silvestri’s expertise in complex PCI. While PCI is widely used in India, gaining insights directly from global experts enriches our ability to manage challenging cases.”
Dr. Ayanabh DebGupta, who also participated in the event, shared his gratitude for hosting Dr. Silvestri, emphasizing Manipal Hospitals’ commitment to advancing cardiac care across its network. “As a healthcare leader, we are deeply concerned by the rise in heart diseases, especially among India’s youth. In addition to offering CPR training to prevent cardiac fatalities, workshops like these equip our clinicians with cutting-edge skills that align with international care standards.”
As a pioneer in healthcare, Manipal Hospitals serves over 7 million patients annually across its 37 hospitals in 19 cities. Its robust healthcare framework, supported by a team of over 5,600 doctors and 18,600 staff members, continues to make quality care affordable and accessible to millions across India.
