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Monday, Jun 16, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Technology for better healthcare

Special Correspondent

For early detection of heart problems

COIMBATORE: Latest technology helps in preventive cardiology that emphasises early detection of heart problems and cure, Chairman of K.G. Hospital here G. Bakthavathsalam said on Sunday.

Explaining the features of a 128-slice computed tomography (CT) heart scan equipment installed at the hospital, he told presspersons ahead of its commissioning that the technology used in it helped in detecting that a person could suffer a heart attack in six months.

This, he pointed out, would help in preventing the attack by putting the person through the right course of treatment. Life-style related problems, such as smoking and stress increased the risk of heart attack.

Almost 50,000 people a day were said to suffer heart attack in the country and 30 per cent of them died without reaching the hospital.

Many of them mistook a chest pain for gas trouble and took over-the-counter medicines instead of undergoing a check up at a hospital.

They decided to go to the hospital the following day because of the pain persisting. But the heart attack killed them before they reached the hospital.

People with a history of heart problems in the family or those diagnosed as being the risk group because of problems such as diabetes should undergo heart scanning in order to detect blocks in the blood vessels.

Years ago, people underwent just an electro cardiogram test for a heart check-up. It was not enough to detect problems in the coronary arteries.

Then things were clearer with the advent of echo cardiograph and treadmill test (or stress test). Even then, people had to under angiogram for precise detection of blocks.

But, with angiogram being done at catheter laboratories with an operation theatre atmosphere, people were not inclined to undergo it.

The 64-slice scan enabled quick scanning and precise detection. Now, the 128-slice scan captures images in three seconds.

Dr. Bakthavathsalam said that though Siemens had not begun a commercial rollout of this equipment in Asia, it had provided K.G. Hospital with one because of a tie-up between the two organisations.

“Now, we will provide training for doctors and other staff from hospitals in other countries in Asia in using this equipment,” he said.

Explaining the benefits the technology offered to patients, Executive Vice-President of Siemens Medical Solutions India D. Ragavan said, “India is already the diabetes capital of the world. In 10 years, it may also become the heart diseases capital. So, we need technology for early detection and even prevention.”

Mr. Ragavan said though the CT scan was based on X-ray technology, there was only a very low dose radiation.

The use of the equipment need not be restricted to the heart. It could be used for whole body scan. “It has good use in cardiology, neurology and oncology,” he said.

It would be effective in precisely locating multiple internal injuries in accident victims.

Apart from use on patients, the equipment would provide high-quality images of various organs for medical students. These images were not available in any textbook brought out till now, he claimed.

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