CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Heart valve repair surgeries have commenced at Bhopal Memorial Hospital & Research Centre (BMHRC) for patients suffering from heart valve-related diseases. Recently, doctors from the Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery department of the hospital successfully performed a free heart valve repair on a 64-year-old gas-affected woman. The patient is now healthy and has been discharged from the hospital.
Dr. Giriraj Garg, Assistant Professor at the CTVS department of BMHRC, explained that the woman was suffering from a condition called rheumatic heart disease, which caused her to experience shortness of breath during physical activities. Upon examination at the hospital, it was found that her mitral valve was narrowed, obstructing blood flow to the heart. Surgery was the only solution to fix this problem. During the operation, it was decided that repairing the valve was a better option than replacing it. He explained that after valve replacement, patients need to take blood-thinning medications for a long time, whereas, with valve repair, the dependency on medications is reduced. The risk of infection is also lower with the heart repair procedure, and patients do not need to visit the hospital frequently for treatment.
More Experience and Skill Required:
Dr. Garg mentioned that valve repair is more challenging compared to valve replacement. It takes more time and requires extensive experience and special skills. This is why valve replacement surgeries are more common in hospitals compared to valve repair surgeries.
Function and Causes of Valve Damage:
There are four valves in our heart: aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves. These valves ensure that blood flows in the correct direction. Each valve has flaps that open and close with every heartbeat. When the flaps do not open or close properly, it is called valve malfunction. Infection, old age, heart attack, or any heart disease can cause valve damage. Mitral valve disease is often caused by rheumatic fever.
Quote:
“Valve repair surgery is complex and requires special expertise. This surgery has now started at BMHRC, benefiting patients suffering from heart valve diseases.”