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Paradigm shift in heart treatment

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, MARCH 15. According to the seventh guidelines of the American Heart Association, even those with a blood pressure reading of 130/80 are at risk of developing high blood pressure, leading to other complications, including heart failure.

However, the blood pressure reading would be an early indication to get back into shape, with a salt-free diet and exercise, says S. Thanikachalam, director, Cardiac Care Centre, Sri Ramachandra Medical College. Stressing on preventive health care to avoid complications, he said the current strategy was to offer treatment at the appropriate time. "We treat heart disease before the phenomenon of heart failure sets in. Even when it has set in, presently, there is a paradigm shift in the approach in the assessment and treatment."

Early identification and treatment, quantification of loss of efficiency and estimation of how much healthy muscle is left in the heart are the primary strategies that are being followed, said Dr. Thanikachalam. "New drugs, electrical methods of treatment and the use of devices which offload strain on the heart have changed the outlook of cardiologists."

It was to create awareness about these new procedures that the college and the University of Miami had come together to host a national level accredited programme for general physicians, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. At a workshop, which will be held on March 19 and 20 at the college, participants will discuss strategies for evolving consensus on early detection and intervention to avert progressive irreversible cardiac failure and also the role of total artificial heart in the future.

Briefing presspersons about the conference, Dr. Thanikachalam added that the international faculty for the conference included Randas Jose Vilela Batista, the Brazillian creator of the `Batista Procedure' in ventricular surgery and Antonio Maria Calafiore, from Italy renowned for his ground-breaking work in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

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