Mangaluru: The Department of Cardiology at Father Muller Medical College Hospital (FMMCH) achieved a ground-breaking milestone on January 11, 2024, successfully performing the Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure for the first time.
Dr Pradeep Pereira, Professor, and Head of the Department of Cardiology, explained that this relatively new procedure is performed in only a few centres across India, requiring a specialized team comprising a Cardiologist, Cardiothoracic surgeon, and an anaesthetist. The team of experts who conducted the procedure included Dr Pradeep Pereira, Dr Prabhakar, Dr Jostol Pinto, Dr Anand K T (Cardiac Surgeon), and Dr Chetana Anand (Cardiac Anaesthetist).
Traditionally, replacing a blocked aortic valve involved open-heart surgery, a major procedure with chest opening. However, TAVR offers a less invasive alternative, inserting an artificial valve through a small tube from the leg, reducing physical trauma and ensuring a quicker recovery.
TAVR presents key advantages, eliminating the need for general anaesthesia and ventilator support, and making it more accessible. Patients undergoing TAVR can walk within six hours post-procedure, contrasting with the extended recovery period of open-heart surgery.
Father Muller Medical College Hospital now stands as the third hospital in Mangalore to offer TAVR, a procedure advised for elderly patients with high surgical risk and those refusing major surgery. The hospital’s Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery ensures round-the-clock emergency facilities with high success rates in performing major cardiac procedures.
Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions congratulated the team for their remarkable achievement, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to advancing medical care. The Department of Cardiology expresses gratitude to the medical professionals involved and the hospital’s management for continuous support, highlighting the institution’s dedication to providing cutting-edge cardiac care.
Looking ahead, the Department remains focused on growth and excellence, aiming to establish Father Muller Medical College Hospital’s Department of Cardiology as a premier cardiac care centre in the region. The successful introduction of TAVR reflects the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance patient outcomes and lead in innovative cardiac interventions.
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