The annual Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala 2012 concluded here on Sunday. The conference, attended by over 150 interventional cardiologists from across the state, showcased the latest interventional procedures, techniques and hardware.
The annual cardiology interventional procedural data for Kerala in 2011 showed a 40 per cent increase in primary angioplasty in the state. According to the data, primary angioplasty is still used in less than 10 per cent of the heart attack cases in Kerala owing to cost and the non-availability of cath lab facilities with trained interventional cardiologists. An increase in the number of cath labs has changed this situation in Kerala. Last year, nearly 5,000 heart patients had received this life-saving treatment.
The annual data was presented by ICCK secretary Dr Manu R Varma. The highlight of Sunday’s session was keyhole surgeries with angioplasty for diseases of blood vessels in the lower limbs, chest, abdomen and kidneys.
There was also a discussion on the application of angioplasty in the treatment of aneurysm of the aorta, a condition where the largest artery from the heart can be suddenly ruptured resulting in blood leak and death of the patient. With developments in stent technology, this problem can be tackled by inserting covered stents through keyhole procedures with low risk and less discomfort. Three such cases in the state were presented at the conference.
Dr P K Asokan of Fathima Hospital, Kozhikode, was elected as the new ICCK president, and Dr S M Ashraf, of Sahakarana Hridayalaya, Kannur, as the new General Secretary. The ICCK 2013 meet will be held at Thiruvananthapuram.
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