khaleej times Wednesday, January 27, 2010
HeartCare KHALEEJ TIMES ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Female heart is vulnerable to cardiovascular disease Many women lack the basic awareness that heart disease is their biggest killer although breast cancer may be seen as the bigger threat
www.reddoorproductions.net
Screen Advertising Agents Reel Cinemas, Dubai Mall
By Dr. Rajesh Raipancholia
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ARDIOVASCULAR disease remains the leading cause of death in men and women worldwide. It is still considered a disease of men and there has been little recognition of its importance in women. Women with heart disease continue to be under-diagnosed, undertreated and underresearched. Even though cardiovascular disease accounts for 43 per cent of all female deaths few women view it as a significant health risk. Many women lack the basic awareness that heart disease is their biggest killer with their main fear being breast cancer. In fact, breast cancer was the seventh leading cause of death for females (4.5 per cent). Women with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) have worse outcomes than men. Of heart attack patients treated with either clot buster medications or primary angioplasty and stenting, it is noticed that women have higher in-hospital complications than men. Women under 50 years old have been shown to experience twice the rate of in-hospital death compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, women are more likely to die within one year following a heart attack compared to men. Serious complications of heart attack, such as shock, heart failure and recurrence of heart attack are more frequent in women. What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease in women? When women have angina, they are more likely than men to experience “atypical” symptoms. Many women report a hot or burning sensation, or even tenderness to touch, in the back, shoulders, arms or jaw; often they have no chest discomfort at all. Heart attacks also tend to behave differently in women. Frequently they experience nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, indigestion, dizziness, pain or pressure in the back or high chest, pain or discomfort in one or both arms, shortness of breath or extreme fatigue — but no chest pain.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are easy to attribute to something other than the heart. Women also are more likely than men to have “silent” heart attacks — that is, heart attacks without any acute symptoms, and that are diagnosed only at a later time when subsequent cardiac symptoms occur. Why do women with heart disease have worse outcomes? The exact reasons for the discrepancy in outcome remain unclear, but could be explained by the higher risk profile frequently seen in women. At the time a woman presents with coronary artery disease she is older and has more risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart failure and peripheral vascular disease. Until they reach menopause, women are protected from heart disease by oestrogen. But women, who have an early onset of menopause, or those who have had their ovaries removed, suffer a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Compared to men, women are less likely to seek medical help, but more likely to present late in the disease process and to have “atypical symptoms”. Late presentation delays effective treatment. Women have smaller coronary arteries making them more difficult to treat both with angioplasty and surgically, and this contributes significantly to worse outcomes. Does taking hormonal pills increase risk for heart disease? Taking hormonal pills is generally safe for young, healthy women if they do not smoke. But these can pose heart disease risks for some women, especially women older than 35; women with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol; and women who smoke. Dr. Rajesh Raipancholia, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, HeartFirst Medical Centre, Dubai Healthcare City
RAK HOSPITAL
ETA Star Healthcare brings world-class cardio care to RAK With the newly established Catheterisation Lab, the hospital is now fully equipped to provide complete solution for any heart-related issues
Raza Siddiqui Executive Director
RAK Hospital is the only hospital in the world that has been awarded the accreditation from both Joint Commission International (JCI) and by the Swiss Leading Hospital (SLH Accreditation) which is based on European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM standards)
RAK HOSPITAL is a 65-bedded, stateof-the-art multi-specialty healthcare facility jointly set up by the ETA Star Healthcare and the Ras Al Khaimah Government and managed by Sonnenhof Swiss Health (SSH), a leading healthcare consulting corporation from Switzerland. RAK Hospital is the only hospital in the Northern Emirates to provide comprehensive cardiac care. The first Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) and Electro physiology (EP) facility was inaugurated by Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Raza Siddiqui, executive director, ETA Star Healthcare LLC, says: “This is a new milestone on the medical front for the Northern Emirates. With the newly established Catheterisation Lab, RAK Hospital is now fully equipped to provide complete solution for any heart-related issues. With the latest state-of-the-art technology and a highly specialised cardiac team at RAK Hospital, the region has now become more medically efficient and independent. Our cardiac team at the hospital is headed by Dr. Rajeev Lochan, chief cardiologist and Dr. Margit Oremek, medical director, who are both highly respected for their experience in this field.” Equipped with the advanced cardiac angiography system from Siemens Healthcare, 64-channel electro physiology monitoring with RF ablator and four channel Cardiac Stimulators by GE Healthcare, the Cath Lab at RAK Hospital has ensured that it has the best of medical equipment at its disposal to help better serve the patients. RAK Hospital also pioneers in EP
study for the benefit of the residents in Northern Emirates. EP study provides information that is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias (problems that lead to abnormal heart rhythms). Although it is more invasive than an echocardiogram (ECHO), and involves provoking arrhythmias, the test produces data that makes it possible to diagnose the source of arrhythmia symptoms. EP studies help in evaluating the effectiveness of certain medications that control the arrhythmia. It also facilitates the prediction of the risk of a future cardiac event, such as sudden cardiac death, and helps access the need for an implantable device (a pacemaker or ICD) or treatment procedure (catheter ablation). RAK Hospital is equipped with 64 slice cardiac CT scanner capable of performing 64 slices per rotation at less than 0.4 - 0.7 mm resolution. Such high resolution allows visualisation of the entire coronary tree with extremely high accuracy and detail. Patients are treated in RAK hospital’s most advanced cardiac care unit, (CCU), which offers highly specialised care until their condition stabilises. As per Dr. Oremek, “The equivalent of an intensive care unit (ICU), which is for critically ill patients with other types of conditions, a CCU contains extensive heart monitoring and testing equipment as well as a staff trained and certified in heart conditions and procedures.” Considering the influx of cardiovascular patients in the UAE, it has become highly essential for sufficient facilities to be available to combat the threat from these diseases. It has been estimated that 41 per cent of all deaths in UAE are caused by cardiovascular or heart related diseases. With the availability of such facilities at RAK Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah has become more self-reliant to treat cardiac patients. RAK Hospital is the only hospital in the world that has been awarded the accreditation from both Joint Commission International (JCI) and by the Swiss Leading Hospital (SLH Accreditation) which is based on European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM standards).
THE CHALLENGES AND THE ANSWERS More research that involves women Much of the research in the last 20 years on heart disease has either excluded women entirely or included only limited numbers of women. The recruitment of women into studies still remains deficient. The need for studies that include more women remains paramount.
Patient, doctor, nurse and industry awareness The UK contribution to the international campaigns on heart disease in women, is the “Her at Heart” to raise awareness as well as the undertaking of new research to study women and heart disease. The European Society of Cardiology’s the “Women at Heart” campaign is mainly aimed at health professionals, highlighting the under-recognition of women with IHD; and the American Heart Association’s “Go Red For Women” Campaign, has encouraged hundreds of thousand of women to undergo a heart check. All of these campaigns are valuable tools in what remains a difficult task of introducing the concept of heart disease as the major threat to women into our modern societies. There is no doubt that better education and awareness are needed to address the issues surrounding heart disease in women. We have crossed the starting line in what seems to be a challenging marathon ahead.
khaleej times Wednesday, January 27, 2010
HeartCare
Treating heart attack with angioplasty and stenting By Dr. Rajesh Raipancholia
A
HEART ATTACK results when a heart artery becomes severely narrowed or blocked. Most of the heart muscle damage takes place within the first one to two hours of the heart attack, so treatment to open the heart artery needs to occur within this time, to save the heart muscle and prevent death. There are two main treatments to
deal with blocked heart arteries: clotbusting medication (fibrinolytic therapy) and coronary angioplasty/ stenting, (also known as primary PCI). These methods have significantly improved the survival and quality of life of heart attack patients. According to the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology, primary PCI is highly recommended in heart attack patients who can undergo the procedure within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms. The procedure needs to be performed quickly (angioplasty or stent placement or both within 90 minutes after the first medical contact) by experienced doctors. Clot-busting medication Some patients have a reaction to clot-busting medication. In around 20 per cent of patients, the clots do not disappear. In about 25 per cent of patients there is another blockage of the artery within three months, with recurrent heart attack. These limitations are minimised with the use of primary PCI.
artery
BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY
Atheroma (fatty plaque)
The balloon is then inflated to open the narrowed artery and the stent expands around the balloon
What is angioplasty? Angioplasty is a method of treating narrowing and blockage of the heart arteries. The cardiologist will temporarily insert and expand a tiny balloon catheter where your arteries have narrowed, to help widen them and improve the blood supply to the heart. What is stenting? A stent is a small coil made of a fine, wire mesh that is permanently placed inside the artery to help keep the blood vessel open. Advantages of primary PCI The survival rate is much higher in patients treated with primary PCI ver-
A guide wire with a deflated balloon is passed through the catheter in the narrowed artery
The balloon is removed and the stent is left in place to keep the artery open
sus clot-busting therapy. The rates of recurrent heart attack and brain stroke are also far less. Compared to balloon angioplasty, when patients undergo stenting of the heart artery, the rates of renarrowing and the frequencies of recurrent chest pain and repeated angioplasty procedures are lower. Thus, stenting of the coronary artery is usually preferred. With the advent of medicated stents the rates of renarrowing are further reduced. Primary PCI is expensive, but patients on clotbusting medication have higher costs and longer hospital stays.
Science of hunger management Awareness is the key to overcome new age epidemics related to lifestyle By Medha Bhaskaran PEOPLE know about the goodness of protein, and fibre in the diet. The Food Research has become more intense since the world is drowning in the epidemic of obesity and diabetes. As the new facts tumble out, more awareness becomes the key to overcome the new age epidemics related to lifestyle. Glycaemic Index, or GI, refers to how rapidly a food causes blood sugar to rise. High-GI foods, like white bread and potatoes, tend to spur a quick surge in blood sugar, while low-GI foods, such as lentils, soybeans, yoghurt and many high-fibre grains, produce a more gradual increase in blood sugar. It’s the GI of the food. That’s a measure of how
quickly a food is broken down and absorbed by the body, and it’s the driving principle behind several weight-loss plans. The quickly absorbed foods spike the blood sugar instantly, inviting the rush of insulin. The massive insulin surge rapidly eliminates the blood sugar by taking it away to the body cells. Sudden blood sugar decline leads to hunger pangs and energy loss. Higher the GI Index of the food more is the “hunger pangs” and food intake. Lower GI Index foods maintain the blood sugar levels within limits, thus subduing the hunger pangs. Knowing that the body converts complex (low glycaemic) carbohydrates to blood sugar much more slowly than simple (high glycaemic) carbohydrates, Dr. Kaufman, a US physician specialising in endocrinology, metabolism and diabetes, hypothesized that complex carbohydrates could help people dramatically reduce blood sugar fluctuations, improve their energy level and naturally suppress their appetite. She invented Extend Bars — tasty snacks with uncooked cornstarch that releases the nutrients ever
How Extend Bars work. The secret is all in the timing.
so slowly into the body. Extend Bars will soon be available in the UAE in selected outlets. They come in five mouthwatering flavours like Chocolate Delight, Peanut Butter Chocolate Delight, Peanut Delight, Mixed Berry Delight and Apple Cinnamon Delight.
khaleej times Wednesday, January 27, 2010
HeartCare HEARTLIGHT
THE CITY HOSPITAL
Canola oil has the best balance of ‘good fats’
Excellent services and quality care at competitive rates are available right here in Dubai
Nature’s bounty CANOLA OIL is the best blend of fats for good health. Trans-fat free and with the lowest amount of saturated fat of any vegetable oil, canola oil also has the best balance of “good fats” — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Your body needs fat to provide energy and help you absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Certain fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fats, are essential for good nutrition and must be consumed as part of a healthy diet. It is important to choose fats wisely because some are healthier for you than others. Canola oil provides healthier fats than any other popular vegetable oil. Heartlight is 100 per cent pure Canola Oil and is nature’s healthiest vegetable oil. All vegetable oils are cholesterol free. The only dietary sources of cholesterol are animal products. Cholesterol is not the major cause for heart problems. The enemy number one is saturated fat, which tends to raise blood cholesterol leading to heart problems. Light and cholesterol free, Heartlight, has the lowest saturated fat content much lower than corn, sunflower, safflower, soybean or even olive oil. Heartlight has another health advantage; it is richer than any other cooking oil in alpha-linolenic acid, which may help lower blood cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Heartlight is ideal for cooking, frying, baking and salad dressings.
State-of-the-art adult cardiac surgery care By Latha Krishnan
Certain fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fats, are essential for good nutrition and must be consumed as part of a healthy diet
THE REPUTABLE Interventional Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Unit at Welcare Hospital moved to The City Hospital — the first multi-disciplinary hospital in Dubai Healthcare City — in February 2009. The unit was first set-up in Dubai by Dr. Nitin Mandke back in 2002. Dr. Andre Wessels, the former Head of the Heart Transplant Unit in Johannesburg up till 2003, heads the cardiac team at The City Hospital. “We have been providing continuous cardiac surgery service since 2003, initially at Welcare Hospital and now at The City Hospital,” says Dr. Wessels, Specialist Cardiothoracic Surgeon. The move has been beneficial as The City Hospital has modern theatres, dedicated cardiac anaesthetists and ICU staff, as well as supporting
disciplines such as endocrinology, nephrology, physiotherapy, dietetics and cardiac rehabilitation. “We concentrate on adult cardiac surgery while providing a service on par with the highest international standards. Our fully-fledged interventional cardiology division performs all types of cardiac treatments including angioplasty and placement of stents. The City Hospital’s well-equipped catheterisation lab and 64-slice CT Scanner allow the visualisation of coronary arteries in real time. There aren’t many centres which have these facilities in the region,” comments Dr. Wessels. The cardiothoracic team publishes an annual report, which indicated the types of surgical procedures performed as well as their morbidity and mortality rates. The team has benchmarked its results against accepted international standards. Both the STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) of the United States and Euro Score of the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation were used to compile patients’ data in order to classify them as low risk, medium risk or high risk for operative mortality. “According to both STS and Euro Score, our mortality rates were lower
than the expected benchmark, which indicates that our unit’s outcomes are on par or even better than the international standards. One distinct advantage of being in Dubai is that the population is predominantly young and they tend to have fewer complications following cardiac surgery.” says Dr. Wessels. Dr. Wessels and the team look forward to receiving more patients from all over the region as well as patients from places such as Nigeria, North Africa and Eritrea, drawn to Dubai by its central location. They hope that the common perception among residents in Dubai that “abroad is better” for cardiac surgery and post-surgery care will change as patients realise they can get an excellent service and quality care right here in Dubai at competitive rates.
The hospital’s well-equipped catheterisation lab and 64-slice CT Scanner allow the visualisation of coronary arteries in real time
INTERNATIONAL MODERN HOSPITAL SERVICES
Range of cardiology services International Modern Hospital Services in Dubai covers most of the medical specialties THE International Modern Hospital Services (IMHS) in Dubai provides unsurpassed personalised healthcare services of international standards using up-to-date medical technology and covers most medical specialties. A full range of cardiology services
is offered. It includes invasive right and left heart catheterisation, coronary angiography, angioplasty and stenting. Others are peripheral intervention (carotid, renal, lower limbs), valvuloplasty (mitral, pulmonary), pacemakers and ICD implantations. Non-invasive services include ECG, 24 hours halter monitor, 24 hours blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), treadmill exercise test, transthoracic echo, Transoesophageal echo and Dobutamine stress echo. IMHS offers new hope for cancer patients. “Regional Chemotherapy” destroys the tumour with almost no
side effects. There is no more hair loss, no excising organs or disfiguration, no nausea or vomiting, but a more effective treatment. This is performed by Professor Aigner, a visiting doctor from Germany, who is a pioneer in this method. The emergency department serves children and adults and is open round the clock. The clinics of Internal Medicine, Obstetric, Gynaecology, and Foetal Medicine Services are open daily from 9am to 9pm. All the rooms are suites including a patient room and a lounge for patient visitors at competitive private room prices.
khaleej times Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Robust growth for UAE health sector The country is witnessing a rapid rise in demand for healthcare services, resulting in increased healthcare spending By Abdul Haque Chowdhury
T
HE UAE has emerged as one of the fastest growing healthcare markets in the Middle East. The healthcare sector is showing robust growth and is poised to attract more foreign direct investments this year. It has grown at double digit rate to keep pace with the rising demand for quality treatment and diagnostic facilities. Driven by various factors such as rapidly increasing population, rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, and the lack of internationally accredited healthcare infrastructure, the country has been witnessing a rapid
rise for healthcare services, resulting in increased healthcare spending. According to the latest research report, “UAE Healthcare Sector Forecast to 2012”, the healthcare spending in the country is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of more than 13 per cent during 2007-2012. This growth will be driven by the favourable regulatory environment, increasing private sector participation and the introduction of compulsory medical insurance schemes together with the expected completion of the Dubai Healthcare City by this year. The government plays a central role in providing healthcare services and accounted for around 70 per cent of the total healthcare spending in 2008. However, the government is rapidly promoting the involvement of private sector in all areas of medical services ranging from diagnosis to treatment. Meanwhile, the healthcare sector in the Arabian Gulf will continue to enjoy high growth this year, despite the global slowdown, led by government investment in infrastructure improve-
NMC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
Comprehensive cardiac care
NMC Specialty Hospital branches in the UAE take pride in providing comprehensive cardiac care. It’s branches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain are equipped with the latest technologically advanced equipment useful in diagnosing and treating the full range of cardiac ailments under the caring supervision of experts in the field of cardiac sciences.
NMC Specialty Hospital provides routine Out Patient Department (OPD) Services including Two Dimensional (2D) Echocardiography, Exercise Stress Test, Holter Monitoring and Tilt Table testing. It also provides in-patient Services like CCU, primary and elective angioplasty/stenting, balloon valvotomies, pacemaker insertion, off pump coronary artery bypass surgery and valve replacements. NMC Specialty Hospital believes in prevention and provides a full gamut of laboratory, radiology and other services including dietetics and health care. Packages for early detection and prevention of progression or reversal of risk factors causing heart disease are offered. It also provides Cardiac Rehabilitation and Social Support Services.
ment, according to leading industry observers. “In spite of significant project delays in other non-infrastructure sectors, the pipeline of healthcare projects in the region remains remarkably robust, particularly for the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia,” said Simon Page, Director of the Life Science Division of IIR Middle East, organisers of the four-day Arab Health Exhibition and Congress being held in Dubai. Arab Health, the biggest healthcare event in the Middle East, will conclude tomorrow. According to a recent report from Alpen Capital, the per capita health care spending in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is expected to continue growing faster than the global average. “Growth in income levels as well as an increase in health insurance coverage will boost demand for health care services,” the report said. The report also forecasts the GCC may need in excess of 25,000 additional beds by 2020 to address growing demand for in-patient treatments.
HeartCare BELHOUL SPECIALITY HOSPITAL
Prevention is better than cure There are nine potentially modifiable factors accounting for over 90 per cent risk of a first heart attack By Dr. Girishchandra Varma CARDIOVASCULAR disease, which includes coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease, is by far the leading cause of death in most of the developed and recently the developing world. The majority of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease are modifiable by specific preventive measures. There are nine potentially modifiable factors accounting for over 90 per cent risk of a first heart attack. The negative ones that increase the risk of a first heart attack include smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, abdominal obesity and adverse pyschological factors. The positive ones preventing a first attack include daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, moderate alcohol consumption and regular physical activity. The following cardiovascular risk factors are modifiable and should be considered in all adults. They are smoking, high blood pressure, diet, high cholesterol levels, physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes mellitus. Other non-modifiable risk factors include family history of premature CHD in a first degree relative (includes parents and siblings). In males the first degree relatives of less than 55 years and in females the first degree relative of less than 65 years is considered. Men have a higher risk of CHD than women at every age. There is an increasing risk of CHD with increasing age.
Dr. Girishchandra Varma, Specialist Cardiac Surgeon of Belhoul Speciality Hospital, Dubai, inspecting the Coronary Endarterectomy specimen (removed block). There are strategies to reduce risks. Following a heart healthy diet: Diet counselling is helpful for people who need to lose weight or reduce cholesterol levels. A registered dietitian is the best person to consult about foods that are helpful, appropriate portion sizes, total calorie recommendations, and realistic ways to change bad eating habits. Smoking cessation: Cigarette smoking markedly increases the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack, and stopping smoking can rapidly reduce these risks. One year after stopping smoking, the risk of dying from coronary heart disease is reduced by about one-half, and the risk continues to decline with time. In some studies, the risk of heart attack was reduced to the rate of nonsmokers within two years of quitting smoking. Treatment of high blood pressure and high cholesterol: Medicines to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol are usually recommended after a heart attack if blood pressure and cholesterol are not already controlled. It is important to take these medications exactly as prescribed.
Hyperlipidemia refers to elevated levels of fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. Most people with hyperlipidemia have no symptoms. However, hyperlipidemia is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, a thickening or hardening of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart muscle. Coronary heart disease, in turn, can result in angina pectoris (chest pain), a heart attack, or both. Because of these risks, treatment is recommended for many people with hyperlipidemia. Lipid levels can almost always be lowered with a combination of diet, weight loss, exercise, and medications. As lipid levels fall, so does the risk of developing coronary heart disease, as well as the risk of suffering a stroke. It is not too late if coronary heart disease is already present; lipidlowering treatment in people with coronary heart disease can be lifesaving. Manage diabetes: People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing complications after a heart attack. Tight control of blood glucose can help to reduce the risk of these and other types of complications. It is important for people with coronary disease to avoid having blood glucose levels that are too high or too low. Tight control can be achieved by losing weight, managing the diet, exercising, monitoring blood glucose levels regularly, and taking oral hypoglycaemic medications (for people with type 2 diabetes) or insulin (for people with type 1 and sometimes type 2 diabetes). Exercise: Inadequate physical activity has been recognised as an independent risk factor for premature development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Regular exercise and maintenance of ideal body weight contribute a long way in keeping heart disease at bay.
AL ZAHRA HOSPITAL
Up-to-date technology for heart care Al Zahra has a modern cardiac catheterisation laboratory and well-equipped specialised intensive care units By Latha Krishnan ONE OF the leading private hospitals in the UAE, Al Zahra has a modern cardiac catheterisation laboratory and well-equipped specialised intensive care units. Facilities for investigation include Resting and Stress ECG, Echocardiography with colour Doppler, ambulatory ECG and blood pressure monitoring, Nuclear Medicine myocardial perfusion scans, intravascular ultrasound machine and facilities for reviewing angiography cine films. Dr Omer A. Elhag, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Cardiac Electro Physiologist at Al Zahra, informs that the hospital is in the process of enhancing the Cath Lab by introducing a new cardiac electro physiology machine to treat people with heart rhythm problems. With the help of this machine, the doctor can introduce a catheter into the heart and connect the other end to an electric generator that produces radio frequency current and will burn a few millimetres of the heart tissue. This in turn will rid the heart of the problem of beating irregularly. “It’s a cure forever for people whose heartbeat is fast and erratic especially due to genetic problems or from taking multiple medications. These patients are usually young and do not want to be saddled with medication for all their lives. Al Zahra will be the first hospital to have this machine in Sharjah,” says Dr. Elhag. Al Zahra Catheterization Lab now has the intravascular ultra sound machine that can perform virtual histology and assess the narrowing of the artery from inside the artery via a tiny probe. It can tell the doctor how much of the artery is blocked, what are the causes for it and what material is blocking the artery. Whereas an angiograph gives a two-dimensional picture and may not give the complete real picture, this ultrasound is able to furnish the actual picture. A block that appears to be a
50 per cent one in the angiograph may turn out more serious and significant when viewed through the ultrasound. It will help the doctor decide on the best treatment to clear the block. The machine also helps in physiological assessment by measuring the blood pressure before and after the blocking of the artery. It does that by measuring the blood flow in parts of the arteries and allows the doctor to see if there is a problem due to narrowing. Aided by all this technology, cardiologists at Al Zahra can get all details of the patient quickly in one sitting and provide treatment in the shortest time possible. If the investigations point out that the narrowing of the artery is not significant they can let the patient go home with necessary medication. If it is significant and life threatening, they can go ahead with angioplasty, stent insertion or surgery, as necessary. Al Zahra started cardiac treatment in 2002 and was the first private hospital in Sharjah and Dubai to provide primary angioplasty service. Dr. Abhay Pande, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Al Zahra, says: “The most important aspect about Al Zahra Cardiac department is that we do primary angioplasty, which saves time and saves the life of the patient. We do not wait to find a convenient time for the patient and doctor and keep it for later, as we believe that the earlier the patient’s artery is unblocked, the better it is to save his/her life. Primary angioplasty is now the standard treatment in leading hospitals around the world and definitely more effective than the earlier popular thrombolytic treatment.” Dr. Adel Al Eryani, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Al Zahra, talks about the new cardiac intensive care unit that was opened two months back at the hospital. It has new equipment and several staff members trained in special intensive care recruited to provide the best care to the patients. The new monitors in it are more accurate and will give more information about the patient’s status as well as his/her vital signs, which in turn will improve the diagnosis and treatment. Dedicated ultrasound and ECG machines have been provided for the exclusive use of the new Cardiac ICU. “We are continuously updating our services by utilising new state-of-theart stents that are approved by the FDA or the European Society of Cardiology. We use the best available in the world for our patients whether
The new monitors are more accurate and will give more information about the patient’s status as well as his/her vital signs, which in turn will improve the diagnosis and treatment it is stents, balloons or medicines. Al Zahra is very particular about selecting the right kind of staff, be they doctors, nurses or other paramedical staff. These people are backed by the best in technology. Together we are able to deliver the best service and keep our patients always and completely satisfied,” comments Dr. Eryani. According to Dr. Pande, one of the main reasons for the success of the Cardiology Department of Al Zahra is that patients come regularly for continued cardiac care to the hospital. He says: “I have patients to whom I have given the hundred and fiftieth prescription proving that they are coming to us for continued care and regular consultation and treatment. There is a long-standing family-like relationship between the patients, the doctors and the support staff at the hospital. They come to us because they are confident that our personalised services are on par with the best in the world. We are glad that we have been able to maintain the high satisfaction levels that our patients have expressed in us.”