Dedicated Neuro-intervention Cathlab Inaugurated at CMC Ludhiana

Ludhiana, August 16, 2018: The Christian Medical College and Hospital today inaugurated the new state-of-art dedicated neuro-intervention Cathlab under Neurology for advanced diagnostics and treatment. The internationally known comprehensive stroke program now offers to the people of Ludhiana and Punjab, advanced treatments in the field of stroke. These treatments have become part of necessary care a patient receives in the developed world. These treatments are removal of large clots from brain blood pipe, closure of abnormal vessels in the brain (aneurysms) and stenting of the narrowed brain blood pipe. This is first cathlab in the region and adjacent states that will focus on treatment of stroke.

Dr.Jeyaraj D Pandian, Professor of Neurology and Principal, said that about 80 % of strokes are treatable. Early treatment in a stroke ready hospital which has a dedicated stroke unit, brain scanning, thrombolysis and cathlab based intervention facilities results in early recovery and helps more people lead productive lives. He said that these facilities have been pioneered at CMC, Ludhiana for more than 15 years. Furthermore we now add dedicated cathlab for the help of patients.

Dr. Mahesh P Kate, Associate Professor and Acting Head of Neurology, said that the occurrence of stroke among the Indian people is quite high and is seen quite commonly in the younger people of our country. Patients with stroke must reach the hospital early (the golden period of 0-4.5Hrs) to get treated with the clot-busting injection (rTPA, a clot busting drug). However he emphasized that it is important to reach the hospital at the earliest to get the best benefit.

Dr.Anirudh V Kulkarni, Assistant Professor of Neurology, however, stated that with the recent advancement of treatments in stroke, bigger clots can now be pulled out with the help of devices called stent-retievers in most patientsupto 24 hours after the start of symptoms. He further said that it is very important to select correct patients for these cathlab based interventions. He said that availability of cathlab is good news for patients who reach early as this therapy can save lives and increase the chance of recovery.

Dr. Mathew Cherian, head of Interventional Radiology at Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore commented that apart from its utility in stroke treatment, the new facility for DSA (Neurology cathlab) is also useful for diagnosis and treatment of other brain diseases like abnormal growth of blood vessels (aneurysms) which may cause bleeding into the brain, and abnormally narrowed blood vessels with stenting, which are commonly available in the developed countries.

Dr.Vineeth P Jaison, Assistant Professor of Neurology, highlighted the efforts of the institute in bringing the advanced treatments in neurology at affordable packages to the people of Ludhiana. He said that DrJeyaraj Pandian, who has been a pioneer in the field of stroke, has put in lot of effort over the period of last three years to get this cathlab in Ludhiana. This will help many patients who do not have to travel to Delhi to get this life saving therapy.

DrSmriti Bose, Assistant Professor in Neurology, reiterated the symptoms of acute stroke including:
? Sudden weakness in one side of the body
? Sudden numbness in one side of the body
? Sudden difficulty in speaking and understanding
? Sudden imbalance, giddiness and unconsciousness
? Sudden new onset headache

MrDawar lauded the efforts of department of Neurology in starting this Neurocathlab which will benefit people in Northwest India. He inaugurated the Neuro Cathlab and said that Christian Medical College is the oldest hospitals in the city which has given service to the society and continues to excel in bringing the latest in treatments to the people Ludhiana. He was appreciative of the fact that CMC is providing for the poor and rich patients alike, treatments for stroke that are rarely available to the public even in larger cities of the country.He said that CMC has been always ahead of other hospitals in providing quality care to the people of Ludhiana.

MrTalwar MLA was also present on the occasion and said that it is heartening to see the new medical facilities being provided for people of Ludhiana. He said that people should not wait at home if they have stroke symptoms and come early to the hospital. If they come early they can get lifesaving treatments.