CHENNAI: Fifty-five year-old Asaithambi, a farmer from Thanjavur district, who had been suffering from palpitations, excessive sweating and shivering for over 5 years, found relief within a day after he underwent a minimally invasive procedure at the Government Multi-Super Speciality Hospital.
Thanks to the advanced facilities at the hospital, the department of vascular surgery has performed ten such complex procedures since they opened their doors at the end of February, this year.
In the case of the farmer, he was diagnosed with artherosclerosis in the left subclavian artery, where over 60 percent of the artery was blocked. He then underwent angioplasty on Wednesday. “I could not drive or work in the fields. Doctors at a private hospital told me it would cost `2 lakh. Then, I came here. It has been only a day after the procedure and I feel my hand has become much stronger,” said the quinquagenarian While artherosclerosis in the upper limb is rare, doctors said people with diabetes, hypertension, a smoking habit, cholesterol, high stress and obesity are at a much higher risk.
Apart from Asaithambi, 18-year-old Satish, a mechanic from Tiruvannamalai district, who had arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal communication between artery and veins resulting in pain, prominent veins, bounding pulse and heaviness of his right upper limb also underwent a minimally invasive procedure.
The department has also performed 140 by-pass surgeries and 46 endovascular surgeries. “Bypass surgeries are commonly done. But endovascular procedures are done only in a few private hospitals, which could cost `3-7 lakh. For treatment, you not only require medicines and surgery but also need trained expertise, equipment and the best of facilities which we have here,” said Dr Bhakthavatchalam, Vascular Surgery department. So far, the hospital has seen over 22,000 outpatients, 2000 inpatients, 570 dialysis and 394 surgeries.