Media Release

Udupi, Jun 23: A team of cardiologists from Kasturba Hospital, Manipal led by Dr Tom Devasia used a left atrial plug device in a 68-year-old man to prevent the risk of suffering a stroke, as he had already undergone surgery several years ago to replace the valve on the left side of his heart. This procedure is done on patients with atrial fibrillation and no other structural heart disease, but with a contraindication for Warfarin, a blood thinning medicine.

This is the first time in the country such a procedure is done on patient with a biological prosthetic valve.

"This is the first time in India the device is being used to prevent stroke in patients who are already on biological prosthetic valve and a contraindication for blood thinning agents like Warfarin," said Dr Tom Devasia. The patient recovered well and was discharged after two days.

Narayana (name changed) was on medication, Warfarin, because of atrial fibrillation (condition of heart beating fast and irregular, which makes a patient vulnerable to stroke). He recently suffered intestinal bleeding caused by ulcers in the stomach. That created a typical situation as Warfarin became unsuitable for him and rendered him susceptible to a stroke because of atrial fibrillation.

Dr M Dayananda, medical superintendent and COO, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal said, "This type of cardiac intervention is relatively new and requires expertise, commitment and collaboration among specialty and the support services. Only a few centres perform advanced procedures such as this one even in a global perspective,: Dr Dayananda added.