Goa, 29 September 2024 – Manipal Hospital Goa hosted a press conference today in honour of World Heart Day, focusing on its ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and improve cardiac health outcomes. The event, titled “Guardians of the Heart,” highlighted the hospital’s achievements in cardiac surgeries, the Rakshak CPR training program, and the soon-to-be operational Women and Child Centre.
During the event, the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) showcased its stellar track record, having performed over 700 successful open-heart surgeries to date, including more than 500 beating-heart (off-pump) coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries. The hospital also completes over 1,500 catheterization lab (Cath lab) procedures annually.
Dr. Rakesh Deshmane, Consultant CVTS at Manipal Hospital Goa, shared insights into the hospital’s advancements in cardiac care. “Our team has been consistently delivering life-saving treatments, including complex surgeries like Bentall’s procedures and redo cases of valvular surgeries. We are also gearing up for minimal invasive cardiac surgery and a dedicated pediatric cardiac surgery program,” he said.
Dr. Jyoti Kusnur, Consultant – Interventional Cardiology addressed the growing concern of coronary artery disease in young patients, emphasizing the importance of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. She highlighted that over 12,000 cath lab procedures have been performed at the hospital, including nearly 3,000 coronary angioplasties, many of which were conducted under the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana.
Additionally, Dr. Nikhil Sontakke, Consultant Cardiologist, shared insights on two successful Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantations (TAVI) performed at the hospital, along with advancements in image-guided angioplasties. Furthermore, Dr. Noel Henrique, Consultant – Cardiologist, highlighted the value of non-invasive diagnostic cardiac techniques, including dobutamine stress echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and Holter tests, in enhancing patient care. Dr. Pankaj Mhatre – Consultant – Dept of Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT, mentioned that the hospital is utilizing advanced non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques such as Cardiac PET and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging to evaluate and treat heart conditions, offering vital insights into heart muscle health and potential recovery pathways.
Dr. Deshmane praised the hospital’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology and expert care, adding, “Our highly skilled team, including Dr. Divya Mahaldar, Consultant Cardiac Anesthetic, and Mrs. Gauri Panche, Perfusionist, is dedicated to providing world-class treatment for our patients.”
Another focus of the conference was the success of the Rakshak Training Program, which has trained over 2,500 individuals in administering CPR and first aid during cardiac emergencies. Launched two years ago, the program was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant.
“Our goal with the Rakshak initiative is to empower ordinary citizens to respond effectively in critical moments,” said Dr. Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay, Consultant Cardiologist.
“Equipping people with the skills to perform CPR during a cardiac arrest can make the difference between life and death.” Dr. Mukhopadhyay emphasized the significance of the leadless pacemaker, which was done for the first time in the Konkan region, as well as the complex angioplasties performed with new technology like Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL).
The hospital also shared exciting developments about its soon-to-open Women and Child Centre. Expected to be fully operational by November 2024, the boutique facility will offer specialized services including pre-conception counseling, anomaly scans, fetal echocardiograms, and in-house OB-GYN ultrasound services.
More than just a medical facility, it aims to to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for families. With services ranging from childbirth classes and lactation counseling to postnatal home visits, the centre focuses on the holistic well-being of both mother and child. Unique touches such as candlelight dinners for new parents and a complimentary kit at discharge reflect the hospital’s commitment to making the journey of parenthood special and stress-free.
Manipal Hospital Goa continues to lead in cardiac innovation with a diverse range of advanced procedures. The hospital became the first in Goa to perform Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (CRTD) in 2018 and has since introduced Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) in 2022 to effectively remove calcium spicules and blockages from the coronary arteries and aorta. In 2024, the hospital achieved another milestone with the implementation of the leadless capsule pacemaker for patients with abnormal heart rhythms, along with Left Bundle Pacing for specialized physiologic pacing. Additional services include Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) assisted device closures for conditions such as Atrial Septal Defects (ASD), and enhanced coronary angioplasty using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS). The use of absorbable stents and polymer-free stents further demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to tailored cardiac care for patients at varying risk levels.
