Radial Artery Graft Provides The Best Clinical Outcome In Coronary Arterial Disease
Coronary arterial disease has affected across India, the population of over 40 years of age. Among all the cardio-vascular diseases, coronary arterial disease has reached an almost epidemic rate in our country. Sedentary lifestyle and high genetic risk are the main causes of CAD. Studies have shown that every year almost three million heart attacks happen in India and 30 million Indians suffer from coronary diseases. More physical activity and better cardiorespiratory fitness usually help to keep heart attacks at bay. However, with patients whose only option for survival is getting a cardiac surgery done, coronary artery bypass grafting via radial artery is the best choice for them. Surgery is needed when plaques breed within the walls of the coronary arteries until the blood flow to the heart’s muscle is limited. Radial artery graft shows long-term survival and long-lasting patency over Saphenous vein graft. Radial artery graft restores the flow of blood to the heart via radial artery present in the arm, which leads to fast recovery and shows definite patent superiority. However, it must be harvested well so that no vasospasm happens and gives the most satisfactory result.
Dr. Sanjay Singh, Consultant at CK Birla Hospitals — BMB says, “Diabetic patients have more risk of developing coronary artery diseases. In fact, while other patients go through acute chest pain which is a major symptom of coronary arterial disease, diabetic patients never go through such symptoms. They don’t feel sensation of pain even during heart attacks. Thus, their coronary arterial disease only gets diagnosed at the end stage and surgery becomes their only hope for survival.” Obesity, high pressure,hyper-tension, and cholesterol are other major pointers. Cholesterol causes plaque buildup in the arteries leading to partial or complete blockage. Chest pain, burning sensation, tightness, sweating, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath and pain in arm or shoulder are major symptoms of CAD. Immediate medical treatment is recommended for a patient who is suffering from any of these symptoms over a period of time.
Diagnosis is done through ECG, EKG, Chest X-Ray, Blood test and Coronary Angiography and Cardiac Catheterization. At the initial stage, doctors recommend heart-healthy lifestyle changes maintaining a diet, controlling weight, managing stress, intensive physical activity, quitting liquor, and smoking. Medications are given to control cholesterol, blood pressure and prevent blood clots. Surgery is only proposed when medications are not enough. Dr. Singh highly recommends radial artery grafting for CAD as it not only improves blood flow in the heart but also thwarts incidence of heart attack from occurring in future. With this operation, a patient can live without any complaint for the next 15–20 years. However, he/she should follow a very healthy lifestyle and indulge in routine exercises. At BMB, Dr. Singh leads an expert team of doctors, nurses, therapists, and dietitians who take complete post-operative care of a patient. The team helps to understand a patient’s heart condition and find ways to reduce the risk for imminent heart problems.
Dr. Singh recently operated on a 45 years old highly-diabetic patient from Bhagalpur who has recovered well without any complaints and has gone back to his regular life. Dr. Singh points out a surprising fact that radial artery graft is a cost-effective surgery, even cheaper than Saphenous vein graft. In addition, the advanced technology of radial artery graft has the best long-term outcome and lesser need for subsequent reintervention. CK Birla hospitals-BMB has been doing this surgery routinely in last 6 months under highly-skilled doctors with utmost post-operative patient care. In closing, Dr. Singh advises everyone, especially middle-aged men, and women to avoid the sedentary lifestyle, maintain healthy diet and completely abandon alcohol & smoking. Daily exercise goes a long way in keeping heart disease away. For averting extensive damage to heart, it is better to start the treatment process earlier and implement lifestyle changes as soon as possible.
By,
Dr. Sanjay Singh, Consultant
CK Birla Hospitals
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