According to state-wide ICCK registry data presented at the council’s last annual conference, more than 70% of angioplasties performed in Kerala involved acute and emergency clinical situations
More than 70% of angioplasties performed in Kerala involved acute and emergency clinical situations, according to statewide ICCK registry data presented at Council’s last annual conference. He said public discussion on angioplasty should therefore clearly differentiate between elective intervention in stable patients and primary angioplasty during an acute heart attack, where treatment is highly time-sensitive.
Kochi : Public apprehension over unnecessary medical procedures should not delay treatment during a heart attack, Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala (ICCK) has said, warning that hesitation in an emergency can cost precious time. Responding to chief minister VD Satheesan’s remarks on avoiding unnecessary investigations and angioplasty, the council said it supported evidence-based and ethical medical practice and the principle that every intervention must have a clear clinical indication. When an artery supplying the heart is suddenly blocked, restoring blood flow at the earliest can save heart muscle and, in many cases, save the patient’s life,” ICCK President Dr Rajesh T said. A substantial proportion involves patients arriving with heart attacks or other acute coronary conditions where decisions have to be taken within a narrow treatment window,” Dr Rajesh said. Modern cardiology, he said, has moved towards increasingly precise and objective assessment before an intervention is undertaken. “When patients report early, the treating team has the opportunity to establish the diagnosis, assess the severity of the condition and choose the most appropriate treatment before the critical window is lost,” he said. ICCK General Secretary Dr Louie Fischer said apprehension about investigations or angioplasty should never deter a patient from seeking immediate medical attention. Treatment can then be decided on the basis of the patient’s clinical condition, objective findings and accepted scientific guidelines,” Dr Louie Fischer said. He said Council welcomed any discussion aimed at strengthening evidence-based care, transparency and public confidence in the healthcare system.
“At the same time, it is important to distinguish an emergency angioplasty performed during an acute heart attack from a planned or elective procedure. “This is important while looking at the overall number of angioplasties in the State. Clinical examination, ECG findings, cardiac biomarkers, coronary imaging and, wherever necessary, advanced techniques to assess the functional significance of an arterial narrowing help doctors identify patients who are most likely to benefit from intervention. “The first priority is to reach a hospital early and establish the diagnosis.