Successful deployment of metal-free heart treatment in Guwahati

Guwahati, April 25: Heart disease is the leading cause of death of men & women around the world and CAD is the most common type of heart disease that affects productive life. It occurs when arteries that supply blood to the heart become rrowed or blocked, leading to chest pain or shortness of breath and increased risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death.

Announcing during the workshop conducted at Hayat Hospital on Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS), at Guwahati, Dr. Balbir Singh, Senior Interventiol Cardiologist, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon said that the rising prevalence CAD which is now close to 10 to 11% in urban areas and 5 to 7% in rural areas demands counter action which is possible through awareness about disease and availability of resources.

Earlier, average age at which CAD encountered was 55 years , but in the recent time, much younger patients are being suffered which can be attributed primarily to Hypertension, stress, smoking, Diabetes, unhealthy and sedentary life style etc.

According to Dr Balbir, one of the important modality of treatment of CAD is Angioplasty and Stenting. STENT is a metallic Jacket deployed in blocked corory artery to reopen and establish a normal blood flow, but the major disadvantage of stenting is the need of long term antiplatelets (Aspirin and other drugs) and in few cases, reblockade of the artery.

Now, BVS, the world’s first 100% self dissolving stent is available across Europe, and parts of Asia Pacific, Latin America and in India. BVS is first of its kind device for treatment of CAD. It works by restoring blood flow to the heart similar to metallic stent, but then dissolves in to the body, leaving behind a treated vessel that may resume more tural function and movement because it is free of a permanent metallic stent. BVS is made of polylactide, a turally dissolvable material that is commonly used in medical implants.

Dr Sasanka Baruah Director & Chief Interventiol Cardiologist at Hayat Hospital said that now this world class treatment will be available for the patients of Guwahati. He added that the major advantage with BVS is that the need of long term treatment with anti-clotting medications may be reduced and artery is free from metal for future interventions.

On benefits to patients Dr Balbir Singh says “The potential long-term benefits of a BVS scaffold that dissolves are significant.

The vessel may expand and contract as needed to increase the flow of blood to the heart in response to normal activities such as exercising.    

In India 2 lakh angioplasties are performed per year and growing at a rate of 20% per year with more than 3 lakh stents implanted. BVS has now become the preferred choice among the patients, approx 10000+ BVS have been implanted in India till date.