Dr Pankaj Sugaonkar
Paediatric Cardiology
Sahyadri Speciality Hospital, Pune
Tell us some of the latest trends in paediatric cardiology that have been adopted by the hospital to offer state-of-the-art paediatric cardiology services?
First of all Sahyadri Hospital is equipped with all the necessary as well as latest infrastructure for paediatric cardiology services. The hospital also has the advanced echo machine with paediatric transesophageal probes useful for complex diagnosis.
In addition, the cath lab and operation theatre are very much prepared for paediatric cardiac interventions as well as cardiac surgeries. In Sahyadri Hospital we have an experienced team of paediatric cardiac surgeons, paediatric cardiologists and perfusionists that are available round the clock. In addition post operative ICU care is very good at Sahyadri Hospital, which is really very important.
What are the latest techniques for paediatric cardiac surgery that ensure quick recover?
Nowadays some of the cardiac defects like ASD, VSD, PDA, PS, AS are corrected with transcatheter interventions resulting in greater successful operations. In these procedures duration of hospital stay is only 2 – 3 days. A lot of patients are demanding such procedures these days.
In last year, we have successfully performed more than 100 paediatric cardiac interventions and equal number of surgeries at Sahyadri Hospital. We have successfully performed interventions even on children weighing less than 10 kg. A 2-year-old child, weighing 9 kg was presented to us with recurrent respiratory tract infection. We have tested him on the Echo 14 mm equiment and diagnosed him with ASD. We successfully performed the ASD device closure on this child and even discharged him within two days after the procedure. On follow up we got to know that the child is free from ASD symptoms and is gaining weight steadily.
What is the percentage of paediatric cardiology patients that come to the hospital and the common condition that is prent among them?
Incidence of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is one percent and its numbers are five percent out of all OPD patients. Now that the government is providing help to patients, the number of cases in OPD is increasing gradually. We are also performing echocardiography in at least 10 patients with CHD daily.
Tell us some trends that support paediatric cardiology surgery and make an affordable option?
The government has started a programme to give financial aid to institutes to operate children with congenital heart equipdisease. This programme is getting a great response and many children have already been operated under this programme. It is especially offering a great aid children belonging to poor families. Now financially weak patients can afford to get treatment in any institute.
What would be your recommendations to the government to promote awareness and extend schemes for this segment?
Though the government is doing its part by providing financial aid for treatments, but it is not adequate for some of the diseases. For example, smaller babies with TGA the treatment called large VSD still costs significantly. In my opinion government should provide extra help for these diseases so that all children can be treated.
What is your vision for the paediatric cardiology department of the hospital in the coming years?
I want to further develop the paediatric cardiology department in our hospital. In the coming years, our aim is to operate even more number of cases and deliver successful results. In addition we also aim to start Foetal Echocardiography Programme so we can diagnose patients in the antenatal phase itself. My aim is to make quality healthcare available, affordable and accountable to all patients with congenital heart disease. With our continual efforts and dedicated care, it will be our collective goal to make this centre a tertiary centre for congenital heart disease patients in India in coming years.
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