Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 30: The Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has performed 177 procedures within just 20 days of inaugurating its long-awaited cardiac catheterization laboratory, commonly known as cath lab.
According to hospital officials, the Department of Cardiology began operations in the new cath lab on April 11 this year and since then, the facility has witnessed a heavy influx of patients with serious cardiac emergencies, including heart attacks, heart blocks, arrhythmias, and cardiac tamponades.
“The department performed a total of 177 procedures, including 101 coronary angiographies, 58 angioplasties (PTCA/stenting), 12 pacemaker implantations, three LBBA pacings, two CRT-P devices, and two cardiac tamponade drainages,” said Dr Syed Maqbool, Head of the Department of Cardiology.
Of the 58 angioplasties performed, 26 were primary angioplasties conducted on patients presenting with acute heart attacks.
“These patients were taken directly to the cath lab upon arrival, including a tourist injured in the Pahalgam firing incident who suffered a massive heart attack but was successfully treated,” Dr Maqbool added.
Fifteen patients diagnosed with complete heart block received timely pacemaker implantation.
Despite the high volume of cases, no patient had to be referred to another facility, and there were no reported fatalities, the hospital said.
Patients have arrived from across South Kashmir and far-flung areas such as Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Banihal, and even Jammu city to utilize the facility.
“The cardiologists worked till late evening hours to handle the emergency load,” Dr Maqbool noted.
“However, with the rising patient inflow, we urgently need more cardiologists. The current strength is insufficient to manage the growing demand.”
He credited the successful rollout of services to the support of the institution’s leadership.
“This Herculean task would have been impossible without the overwhelming support of Principal GMC Anantnag, Prof. Dr Rukhsana Najeeb,” Dr Maqbool said, extending his gratitude.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel