TIRUCHI
A 97-year-old male patient on whom a "complex high-risk angioplasty" was performed at the Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Tiruchi, three months ago, to treat blocks in blood vessels, has recovered well.
The physically-fit patient Periyasamy, a retired teacher in a government school, would probably be one of the oldest patients in the country to receive such a complex multi-vessel angioplasty, Interventional Cardiologist Kader Sahib Ashraf, told media persons on Friday.
Mr. Periyasamy was treated initially with medicines for his heart attack. Considering his age and other medical issues, angiogram and further treatment was ruled out fearing considerable risk.
However, since his chest pain persisted, the patient's family had prevailed upon the doctors to perform the surgery. The cost was covered by health insurance scheme implemented by the government for pensioners.
The surgery was a team effort of three cardiologists: Dr. Kader and Senthil Kumar Nallusamy, and Shyam Sundar, and three Cardiothoracic surgeons Venkat Devanathan, Saravanan and Vignacharan.
The successful procedure on Mr. Periyasamy signifies that age was not a barrier for angioplasty. Because of increasing longevity, elderly individuals battling heart problems have been on the rise, they said.
The care provided by the patient's family was worthy of emulation, S. Senthilkumar Assistant Director - Medical Services and Hospital Administrator, said, citing the sustained attention on the nonegarian patient by his son Natarajan.
Elderly patients require emotional, financial, and physical assistance of family members, he said.
