The Maastricht University has signed an agreement with the Apollo-Microsoft Cardiology Consortium to help expand the AI Network for Cardiology and research on cardiovascular diseases in the Netherlands. The partnership was announced at the inaugural session of the DST-CII India Netherlands Technology Summit at New Delhi, in the presence of His Majesty Willem–Alexander, the King of the Netherlands and Mr. Harsh Vardhan, Honorable Minister for Science and Technology, Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. Her Majesty, the Queen and other ministers from the Dutch government also graced the occasion. Apollo Hospitals–Microsoft Consortium is building the AI Network for Cardiology to develop an India-specific heart risk score and better predict cardiac diseases for the general population with the help of Apollo’s database and expertise in the field, and Microsoft’s leading cloud and AI tools. The algorithm is based on a vast amount of data pooled from over 200,000 patients treated at six of Apollo’s hospitals. At Maastricht, the model will now be validated using data from the Maastricht Study (a long-term cohort health study in the Maastricht region) and from the Heart+Vascular Center at Maastricht University Medical Center. “Using this technology, from the countryside of India to the city of Maastricht, we can identify people at risk for cardiovascular disease,” says André Dekker, professor of Clinical Data Science at Maastricht University. “And we can also give them very specific advice to adjust their lifestyle to reduce the risk,” he adds. Launched in August 2018 by Microsoft India and Apollo Hospitals, the AI-powered Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score API (application program interface) is the first-ever Intelligent Platform designed specifically to predict the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in the Indian population. Over the past year, doctors across the Apollo network of hospitals have been successfully leveraging this AI-powered API to predict the risk of CVD and drive preventive cardiac care across the country. Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group says, “Cardiovascular diseases account for a significant 30% of the mortality in India. We found there was an unmet need to conduct a study that would analyze patient data to determine and interpret risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases in the Indian population. Building on the success of our partnership with Microsoft that led to the development of an India-specific AI-powered risk score for heart disease, we are taking this collaboration to the global stage in partnership with international organizations. The international consortium will enable a global validation of the algorithms and expand the scope of the risk score to cover multiple conditions in cardiovascular disease. The partnership with renowned health systems across the world to scale the API will go a long way in helping achieve the World Health Organization’s goal of reducing the risk of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including CVDs, by 25% by 2025.” “We are delighted to be part of the digital transformation journey with leading healthcare providers, our customers, and partners. AI’s significant role in predictive disease analysis and monitoring will enable doctors and healthcare providers with greater insights into their treatment plans thereby improving patient outcomes. This partnership with Maastricht is a great step towards our vision to engage global consortium partners to scale AICVD API,” said Anil Bhansali, Corporate Vice President, Cloud & AI Platform, Microsoft. The goal of the international consortium is to achieve a Standard Cardiac Risk Score. This will enable doctors across the world to identify cardiac risks in patients and design a structured road map to reduce risks, with the aim of a long-term reduction in the global burden of cardiac disease.

A 7-month-old baby from Congo was successfully operated by Dr. Muthu Jothi, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals for a rare congenital heart disease. Baby Banguli was detected with type 3 Truncus Arteriosus (TA); such cases are generally operated on before three months of age. However, in this case, the patient was seven months old hence there was high risk involved. Read more about how the successful surgery performed on 7-month-old Congolese baby

Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has achieved s a significant landmark, with the completion of 25 Paediatric Liver Transplants. A major milestone for the medical fraternity in Western India, the paediatric liver transplant program at Apollo Navi Mumbai took off two years ago at a time when children with end-stage liver disease had no comprehensive facility or access to advanced pediatric liver transplantation programmes in the city of Mumbai. The transplants have been successfully carried out at subsidized costs with a more than 90% success rate that compares with the best in the world. The transplants at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai have given new hope to the families of young patients who find it challenging to meet the medical expenses of liver-related illness and liver transplantation costs. Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, with its experienced transplant team and a world-class healthcare facility, provides an economically viable option for life-saving transplants. Dr Darius F Mirza, Consultant, HPB and Liver Transplant Surgery, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai said, “The Apollo Hospital’s pediatric liver transplantation programme is staffed with experienced pediatric liver transplant surgeons and has success rates that are comparable to the best in the world. With well-equipped infrastructure and skilled pre and post-operative management teams, the risk to both donor and recipient are minimized to ensure a successful outcome. Today, with advances in surgical technique, immunosuppression, and post-operative aftercare, paediatric liver transplantation is a safe proven procedure.” “In liver transplant surgery, a diseased liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. A liver transplant is advised for children with serious liver problems who will not be able to survive without a new donor liver. A living donor will be a family member. Since the liver is the only organ in the body that can replace or regenerate lost or damaged tissue, people who donate part of their liver can have healthy lives with the liver that is left, as the donor’s liver will grow back to normal size after surgery. The transplanted part received by the child also grows to normal size in a few weeks,” explained Dr Mirza. Dr Aabha Nagral, Consultant, Hepatology (Adult & Pediatrics), Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai spoke on the common indications for a paediatric liver transplant. She said, “The most common indication for a liver transplant is biliary atresia, a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that occurs in infants and results in blockage of the bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder, causing damage to the liver cells. Other causes of childhood acute and chronic liver failure include inherited liver diseases. In children with serious dysfunction of the liver and end-stage liver disease, a liver transplant is the only solution. Timing of the liver transplant in a paediatric patient is important and is influenced by many factors including the age, the underlying liver disease, and past medical and surgical history. A multi-disciplinary team assesses the child and gives their input for the management.” Dr. Vikram Raut, Consultant, Liver Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai elaborated on how the team has achieved high success rates which are on par with international transplant success rates. He said, “Evaluation and selection of the donor and patient are critical. The challenge of matching the size of the donor liver for the paediatric patient is overcome by the use of techniques such as reduced, split, and living donor related liver transplantation. In a living-donor transplant, an organ or portion of liver is removed from a living person and placed in the patient whose organ is no longer functioning properly. Most of the living donors are discharged within a week and can resume their daily activities in 4 to 6 weeks. Also, with well-equipped infrastructure and an experienced team for pre and postoperative management, the risk to both donor and recipient can be minimized.” Mr. Santosh Marathe, COO & Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai said, “We are proud to be the first healthcare facility in Western India to have achieved this landmark of 25 paediatric liver transplants. The Apollo Hospitals Group has always created landmarks in healthcare, and the completion of 25 paediatric liver transplants in a short period of two years after starting the program is further evidence of the hospital group’s leadership in advanced healthcare that lays down the benchmark for accessible and affordable world-class healthcare in India. The hospital supports and performs liver transplant surgery at multiple centres across Maharashtra, including Apollo Hospitals, Nashik and Jehangir Hospital, Pune. The transplant unit has one of the most advanced pediatric intensive care units with a highly qualified intensivist team. The pediatric liver transplant programme at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has also seen significant fund raising initiatives through crowd funding, thus reaching out to a larger strata of society and providing relief, treatment to the deserving children. Our achievement gives us the confidence to continue to aspire to deliver the best and advanced healthcare to the people of Western India.”

Apollo Hospitals Group hosted the first Futuring Cardiac Care Summit on 28th September in Chennai. The summit provides insights and perspectives that have the potential to transform the efforts towards prevention and eradication of heart disease. Bringing together all stakeholders on a single platform, the Futuring Cardiac Care Summit brought together key partners, expert clinical consultants, prevention specialists and Apollo Hospitals’ leadership to develop targeted recommendations and specific action steps towards reversing the epidemic of heart disease. The summit brought to the fore the synergy between modern cardiac care delivery and technology adoption for a disease free India. Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Cardiovascular disease is one of the major NCDs and the leading cause of death with India having the highest burden of cardiovascular disease in the world. We need to acknowledge this crisis and take urgent action to prevent and reverse the rise in cardiovascular diseases. The Futuring Cardiac Care Summit is an important step in this direction, and provides a platform to bring together the physician and public health community to develop targeted recommendations and specific action steps. This summit is a beginning to initiate a systemic process for developing possible outcomes and planning for the future. Apollo team, as a futurist is willing to explore changes and innovate with you. Together, we will free India from cardiac disease!” The two highlights of the summit were: Apollo Hospitals Group signed the MoU with Wellysis to set up joint venture in Chitoor, Andhra Pradesh: Apollo Hospitals Group and Wellysis a spinoff company of Samsung SDS South Korea have signed an MoU to develop, manufacture and commercialize cardiac wellness, diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic devices, which would have a positive impact on people across the world. The joint venture will be set up in Chitoor, Andhra Pradesh. The MoU was exchanged by Mr. Rick Hongryul Kim, CTO/CMO & Co-Founder, Wellysis; and Dr. Hari Prasad, Group President, Apollo Hospitals Group; in the august presence of Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. Demonstration of Cardiac Command Centre: The demonstration of the Cardiac Command Centre with modern connected technologies enabling Tele ECH Monitoring, CICU monitoring, Tele ECHO Monitoring, Remote Cathlab and ER Response Module. The Cardiac Command Centre will also have facilities for training and development, and a management dashboard for tracking and control. Over 40 such command centres are already live across Apollo Hospitals Group. Any doctor across the country can register for the Command Centre and gain access to the knowledge and experience of over 300 cardiologists across Apollo Hospitals’ ecosystem. Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “There has been a massive increase in deaths due to heart diseases in the last three decades. Our country has only 4,000 cardiologists as compared to the 88,000 that we should ideally have. It is a huge gap to cover and the best way to start covering this gap is through technology. The goal of this initiative is to come together, witness, discuss and learn from each other new ways of addressing cardiology. Robotics, AI, Tele-cardiology… these are some things we know are happening today. But do we experience how these innovations are applied to our practice? We hope this summit will help open-up such foresight and possibilities that will lead to a cardiac disease free world. The Cardiac Command Centre with high end screening tools along with the National Cardiac Registry will form the foundation of the battle against cardiovascular diseases.” “Aspects of the cardiovascular diseases epidemic in India that are particular causes of concern, are its accelerated build-up, early age of disease onset in the population, missing out on cases due to misdiagnosis and under-reporting of CVD and the high case fatality rate. The Cardiac Command Centre provides a great opportunity to physicians in Urban & Sub-urban settings, Standalone clinics/nursing homes, National/State Medical Associations, Government Institutions, and New-Age Start-ups in the cardiovascular space to join this network and gain access to knowledge and experience of over 300 cardiologists across the Apollo ecosystem to save precious lives,” added Ms. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group. Dr. Agim Beshiri, M.D., Senior Medical Director, Global Medical and Scientific Affairs for Abbott’s diagnostics business said, “Abbott collaborates with likeminded partners to improve cardiac health outcomes worldwide. We are pleased to work with Apollo to set up a national cardiac registry that helps in assessing risk of cardiac events potentially years in advance. Abbott’s life-changing technology has the potential to transform how doctors identify those at risk for developing heart disease because our diagnostic test uses a biomarker specific to the heart. We’d like to congratulate Apollo Hospitals on building a powerful platform that combines healthcare and various technological innovations that have the potential to change the way cardiac diseases will be treated in future.” “We are pleased to partner with Apollo Hospitals for the FUTURING cardiac care. Together, we created a process to connect a century old life-saving technology — ECG between patient, local General practitioner, and an expert cardiologist at the Apollo Command Centre. During our pilot run, we could guide 25000 patients from as far away as 2000 KM from the centre during chest pain, guide general practitioners to provide appropriate care to patients and provide timely support and intervention to save 250 of them who were going through acute MI,” said Mr. S Ganesh Prasad, Managing Director, GenWorks Health Pvt Ltd., a Wipro GE Healthcare invested company. “At Genworks we believe that we have to build a strong, connected eco-system – doctor at the point of care, patient, specialist at super hospitals and technology can make it happen and save lives. Our vision is to take technology and process as this to every physician in any part of the country to be able to intervene in times of need and save lives,” added Mr. Ganesh Prasad. For more information about the Cardiac Command Centre and the Futuring Cardiac Care Summit, log on to www.futuringcardiology.com

Dr. CS. Muthukumaran, Pediatric Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Children’s Hospitals and his team performed a Redilatable Stent Implantation procedure on a pre-term baby boy and gave a new lease of life. The baby was diagnosed with severe coarctation (narrowing) of aorta, a potentially dangerous heart defect that restricts the amount of blood being pumped around the body and required immediate surgical intervention. Read more about how Apollo Children’s Hospitals gave a new lease of life to a pre-term baby

Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, has been conferred the coveted National Tourism Award for ‘Best Medical Tourism Facility’ for the year 2017-18. This is the third consecutive year and overall sixth time, Apollo Health City has been bestowed with the prestigious honour. Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Honorable Minister of State (Independent charge), for Tourism and Culture and Shri Zurab Poolikashvili, Secretary General, World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) presented the award at a glittering ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Shri V. Srinivas Goud, Honorable Tourism Minister of Telangana, received the award along with the delegation from Apollo Hospitals. Speaking about the award, Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “India has the potential to become the preferred global healthcare destination. Our clinical excellence, marked by quality processes, best patient safety practices, and ongoing commitment to innovation, has not only helped us make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable but has placed us on cutting edge of healthcare delivery, affording us several differentiators in various Centres of Excellence. Today, Apollo Hospitals welcomes patients from across the world, who come to experience world-class healthcare complemented by our rich heritage of healing and vibrant culture, all at a fraction of the cost as compared to the West!” “We appreciate the government’s efforts to promote medical value tourism by easing the visa regime for medical visits and the introduction of e-visa for medical tourists. This has resulted in the number of patients coming to India for treatment growing at a rate of 20-25% year on year,” he added. The latest figures available for 2017 show that almost 500,000 medical tourists visited India for various treatments including cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, bone marrow transplant, eye surgery, cosmetic surgery, orthopaedic surgery including hip replacement, and alternative medicine. Before the award for 2017-18, Apollo Health City, Hyderabad, was conferred the honour for the years 2009-10, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17. “Receiving the ‘Best Medical Tourism Facility’ award and being recognized nationally for our world-class healthcare services makes us feel very gratified and privileged. We owe this recognition to our consultants, doctors, nurses and support staff who provide selfless relentless service to our patients, particularly our international patients, who visit us from over 150 countries,” said Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group.

The Week-Hansa Research Survey 2019 has adjudged Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad as the best hospitals in their respective cities. Apollo Hospitals in Bengaluru and Mumbai were placed second and ninth respectively. The survey covered 17 cities (plus the National Capital Region) that are important medical centres in the country. The parameters used to rank were , overall reputation, competency of doctors, infrastructure and facilities, patient care, hospital environment and research innovation.

Apollo Hospitals Group launched Apollo ProHealth Program, the most powerful, proactive Health Management program. Apollo ProHealth is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive health program, powered by pHRA (personalised Health Risk Assessment), enabled by Artificial Intelligence. This program is specially curated and conceptualised by Apollo’s experts and innovators in preventive healthcare, based on the experience & learning of over 20 million health checks conducted by Apollo Hospitals . ProHealth empowers individuals & businesses with actionable health analytics, to know & eradicate health risks, and, lead healthier & happier lives. The program brings technology & human elements together by providing a personal Health Mentor to guide each individual to stay focused on health track and gain better health & lasting happiness. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We all are focused on cure not care. I want people to focus on the CARE in HealthCare. Treating diseases is not the only way to health. If we care for our health we will not need to cure anything ever. The world is facing a tsunami of NCDs (Non-communicable diseases), that is threatening even our young generation. An economy like ours, which is both ambitious and aggressive, needs healthy citizens to realise its true potential. This is not possible with the growing menace of lifestyle diseases or NCDs. Cancer, Diabetes, Strokes, Obesity, Smoking are increasingly impacting our capability, which in turn impacts our productivity & economic growth. Apollo ProHealth is an innovative giant step towards changing the way we treat our health. A true healer heals before there is need to heal.” Apollo Hospitals Group had introduced to the country its first ‘Personalized Preventive Health Check’ over four decades ago, and now we are introducing the world’s most powerful preventive health management program to redefine newer dimensions of healthcare today. About 80% of NCDs mortality is preventable, and, Apollo ProHealth program will help prevent these preventable deaths.” he added. Ms. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Non-communicable diseases pose the greatest healthcare challenge. The WHO has emphasized that chronic lifestyle ailments are best managed via preventive measures. Preventive healthcare in the form of personalised and health management programs can play a vital role in detecting diseases in their early stages. Apollo ProHealth is designed on the three principles of Predict, Prevent and Overcome to ensure tangible, measurable changes in the lives of people. The use of AI to assess risk is backed by learning gained from over 20 million health checks and the program will transform the concept of preventive healthcare in the country. With the AI enabled personalised Health Risk Assessment (pHRA), Health Mentor and appropriate clinical and life style interventions every individual is guided at every step on to the pathway towards healthy living.” Ms. Upasana Kemineni Konidela, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Foundation, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said on the occasion, “Work life dynamics are fast changing around us. Challenges of the lifestyle diseases or NCDs (Non- Communicable Diseases) is on an up rise. Our workforce is fast succumbing to tsunami of NCDs, suffering from preventable deaths and disability due to Stroke, Diabetes, Cancer, Obesity, sleep deprivation, Cardiac ailments etc. The situation is critical and alarming given more people at increasingly younger ages falling prey to them. It is imperative to bring Health into the main stream of business planning by corporate organisations. Preventing workforce from the ill effects of tsunami of NCDs using predictive tools to mitigate issues at an early stage is essential given that this tsunami can strike anyone anytime. In today’s complex and fast-changing health care environment, visionary employers must take a lead in providing innovative approaches for employee health and well-being while realizing real results. I’m certain that a small shift from curative to preventive health-watch with a mid to long term view will better the health index of employees”. Dr. Prathap C Reddy added, “Life is Priceless! The notional value of a human body as indicated by scientists is in excess of 6 trillion dollars. This is what it would cost if we had the ability to make a human being. It is our responsibility to protect that which is truly priceless – our body and health! Let’s together declare war on NCDs and ensure good health and happiness for all!” Apollo ProHealth has been launched in Chennai and Hyderabad and plans are in place to cover all the metro cities by subsequently. Apollo ProHealth will be launched and be available across the Apollo ecosystem by the end of the year.

Apollo Hospitals Group conducted the 8th edition of the International Patient Safety Conference (IPSC) and the 9th edition of the International Conference on Transforming Healthcare with Information Technology (THIT), inaugurated by Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. Over 2500 delegates from 120 countries attended Asia’s largest patient safety-focused conference and the largest healthcare and IT-based International conference and trade show in India. The conferences were organised under the aegis of International Health Dialogue, a platform that brings together international hospital leaders, medical and information technology companies, and public policy makers to debate and discuss solutions to global challenges in healthcare. Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “It has always been our vision to bring the best of world-class healthcare for the benefits of patients in India, and over the decades we have successfully been at the forefront of ensuring healthcare that is comparable to the best globally for our patients. At the same time, it is important to build a model of global collaboration with a platform where healthcare stakeholders from all over the world can come together for healthy dialogue and discussions, share best practices and exchange ideas and experiences. The International Health Dialogue is such a platform and we look forward to more such conferences in the future to ensure that we are prepared for the changing face of disease with the rising ‘tsunami’ of non-communicable diseases or NCDs. With modern technology and AI taking center place, we need to keep abreast of the latest developments and ways to harness it for delivering the best of healthcare services to the patients. At the same time, we must not lose sight of patient safety, which is an important factor affecting healthcare outcomes. I am thankful for the Government of Telangana for their support in this important mission.” The 8th edition of the International Patient Safety Conference (IPSC) is a not-for-profit initiative which addressed the critical issues in patient safety with global experts discussing the role of proactive practices and streamlined systems in improving patient safety. The 9th edition of the International Conference on Transforming Healthcare with Information Technology (THIT) organized by the Apollo Telemedicine Networking Foundation and Apollo Hospitals Group had over 50 eminent speakers from India and abroad who participated in interactive sessions, educational programs, and a trade exhibition showcasing the latest products, technology, services and industry information. With sessions based on this year’s theme of ‘Imagine, Innovate, Inspire’, IPSC provided an opportunity to learn from patient safety and quality experts from across the world. The discussions at the conference ranged from debates on technology versus touch; the healthcare workforce of the future; overall patient safety aspects included infection control, medication management, radiation safety to facility safety and accreditations. THIT conference had over 500 decision-makers from 10 countries in the nascent Healthcare and IT industry which comprised of leading IT companies and leading healthcare institutions in attendance. National organizations like the Indian Medical Association, Telemedicine Society of India, Computer Society of India, Indian Association for Medical Informatics and several Government organizations also participated. Ms. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, said “Our team and collaborators have been working endlessly in the last couple of months on bringing this massive event to fruition and we are proud to host it for not just our national delegates but those from abroad as well. The International Patient Safety Conference will serve as a platform where all stakeholders can share experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss best practices for improving patient safety, which comprises a vital aspect of healthcare delivery. We look forward to an outcome where the suggestions generated are integrated into a national policy to improve patient safety across the healthcare system.” Adding insights on THIT conference, Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “The conference showcases AI in Healthcare, Machine Learning in Medical Imaging, Enterprise Digital Health Solutions, Digital Health in Health Delivery Organizations Standards and Policies for Digital Health in India from national and international healthcare technological luminaries. This conference is a platform where healthcare and information technology entrepreneurs, professionals, and students will get insights into how medical technology and innovation is disrupting the healthcare industry, and the need to keep pace with this transformation. We hope that the conference will lead to an understanding of the need to invest in and adopt new technologies for cost-effective health outcomes that are beneficial to all stakeholders in the Indian healthcare industry” The occasion also saw the national launch of preview of AI CVD Risk Score developed in joint collaboration by Apollo Hospitals and Microsoft India. As part of Microsoft’s AI Network for Healthcare initiative, Microsoft India and Apollo Hospitals Group have set up a National Clinical Coordination Committee (NCCC) for the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score, consisting of leading doctors from Apollo Hospitals; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; and King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. The AI-powered Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score API is an Intelligent Platform that can predict cardiovascular disease risk score in the Indian population. With over 2,00,000 people screened using the AI-driven API on Microsoft Azure across Apollo Hospitals over the last one year, the platform has been successful in allowing physicians to predict the risk score of patients 5 to 7 years in advance. With the national launch of the platform, doctors across the Apollo network of hospitals as well as doctors in other leading Indian hospitals will be able to access and leverage this AI-powered API to predict risk of CVD and drive preventive cardiac care in patients across the country.

Apollo Hospitals, Indore is the first hospital in Madhya Pradesh to perform complex valve replacement using the ‘pin-hole’ technique. Replacement of the aortic valve with a minimally invasive procedure called TAVR was performed successfully on a 69-year-old female patient. Patient thought that the worst was over for her after she underwent a complex open-heart surgery in other hospital to replace her faulty valve last year. However, life took a different turn when she started experiencing breathlessness, instances of chest pain, unexplained fainting and blackouts since May 2019. Pained with her increasing difficulty she reached Dr. Roshan Rao, Consultant Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Indore for a detailed evaluation and it was found that the same artificial valve of the heart had again become narrow or blocked. Dr. Rao explained that though it is very rare , in a small percentage of the cases, the newly replaced valve becomes narrow again. This patient was one such case, who’s newly replaced valve became narrow which further limited her heart’s output. Due to this she developed renal dysfunction i.e. kidneys were not functioning properly. Dr. Sarita Rao, Consultant Cardiologist said “in such cases performing a second time open-heart surgery becomes riskier and it is not advisable. This is where the newer innovations in medical science such as the valve solutions from Medtronic comes in as a blessing. The valve is made up of natural tissue leaflets and does not require a strong blood thinner as in a metal surgical valve.” Unlike an open heart surgery, which is very complex, TAVR is seemingly less complex — achieved through a pinhole insertion in the groin (an artery in leg) where a catheter is inserted first to create a passage through which later the valve is pushed in. Once the new valve is implanted, the catheter is removed and the new valve starts working right away. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Roshan Rao added it was indeed a very tough case and we are immensely pleased that our approach in this case brought us better than expected results. The valve was placed perfectly and the parameters were well within the normal range and there were no post procedural complications. Patient regained consciousness immediately and was greeted when wheeled out of the Cath lab by members of her family — which was a very satisfying sight for all of us. Dr. Sai Satish Senior Consultant and Director TAVR program Apollo Hospital & Research Center Chennai, commented that in India about 15 Lakh individuals are suffering from a faulty valve condition. TAVR, which is an established standard of care for aortic stenosis in Europe and USA, is now emerging in India as a promising treatment. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashok Bajpai, Director, Apollo Hospitals shared that it was a moment of pride for Apollo Hospitals and the state of Madhya Pradesh — to bring within the reach of natives of our state, trends, practices and procedures performed by the best hospitals in the world at one-tenth of the cost in the West. I congratulate Dr. Roshan and Sarita Rao along with our cardiac surgeon Dr. Khitish Dubey, Cardiac Anesthetist Dr Vikas Gupta and Dr. Sai Satish and Dr. Ganapathy who travelled all the way from Apollo Hospitals, Chennai to make this maiden effort possible’

Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore has successfully performed the first TAVI in Rayalaseema & the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh on a 69-year-old patient. Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore is also the second hospital in Andhra Pradesh to perform TAVI, the first being done by Apollo Hospitals, Visakhapatnam. Dr. Sengottuvelu and his team from Apollo Hospitals Greams Road and Dr Bakthavatsala Reddy and his team from Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore have taken the department of Cardiology to the next level in Andhra Pradesh. Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore is the only hospital to perform MICS and TAVI in this region. Read more about how Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore performed its first TAVI  

Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai successfully performed its first heart transplant on a chronic heart failure patient. The heart transplant team led by Dr. Sanjeev Jadhav, Consultant, Heart & Lung Transplant Surgeon retrieved the heart from the deceased donor at MGM Hospital, Vashi and transplanted it into the 33-year-old male recipient at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai on July 27, 2019. The heart was transported from MGM Hospitals Vashi through a Green Corridor specially created for the purpose, to Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai with a distance of 12 km covered in just 10 minutes. The donor was a 61-year-old male who was declared brain dead as per the clinical protocols. The family was counselled for organ donation and they agreed to the organ donation. The recipient of the donor’s heart was 33-year-old Mr. Rajeev Waghmare from Ahmednagar. A patient of chronic heart failure, his medical problems began in June 2017 when he complained of chest pain and was rushed to a medical centre in Ahmednagar where an angiography showed blockage in a coronary vessel. He was medically managed and discharged, but in November 2017, he again complained of chest pain and breathlessness, was referred to a medical center in Mumbai and underwent an angioplasty. Following this, he was admitted multiple times with recurrent heart failure and was referred to Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai with only 20% heart function. He was medically managed at the heart failure clinic and was put on the waitlist for a heart transplant. When a matching donor heart became available on July 27, 2019, it was an opportunity for a second chance at living a normal life. He successfully underwent a heart transplant on July 27, 2019. The heart transplant was performed by Dr. Sanjeev Jadhav, Consultant, Heart & Lung Transplant Surgeon, Dr. Shantesh Kaushik, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon and was supported by a team of specialists. Dr. Sanjeev Jadhav, Consultant, Heart & Lung Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai said, “Today the first transplanted heart beats with new life at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai! The patient was having recurrent hospital admissions due to heart failure and was on heart supporting drugs. With only marginal heart function, a heart transplant was imperative and the only solution. He was lucky to get a matching donor heart. He is the first case I have seen of cardiac failure due to end-stage heart disease following a honey-bee sting that led to a heart attack and decreased heart function. We are glad for this opportunity to give a second chance at life to the recipient and are happy that the transplant was uneventful and the patient has recovered well.” The heart transplant surgery took 90 minutes, and the patient was shifted to the ICU after completion for observation. Dedicated beds for patients who have undergone heart transplantation in a well-equipped Cardiothoracic ICU with barrier nursing helps avoid infective complications. The patient, Rajeev Waghmare said, “I had lost hope of leading a normal life after my heart began to fail. I have great hope and expectations from this life-saving surgery and look forward to returning to normal life with my family. I would like to thank the team at Apollo Hospitals for their care and timely action that enabled me to get a second chance at life. I will be forever grateful to the donor’s family who agreed to donate the organs. The knowledge that my life arises from a life that has been lost due to an unfortunate accident is a humbling thought. I look forward to returning to normal life soon!” Mr. Santosh Marathe, COO & Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai said, “We are proud to have performed the first heart transplant here in our hospital. This is a testament to our world-class quality and expertise in solid organ transplant programs. We are sure that we will be able to provide the patient with an unparalleled standard of care and look forward to offering this critical care to more patients in the future.” With medication to keep the body from rejecting the new heart, many heart transplant recipients lead a long and productive life. The Apollo Hospitals group currently have patients leading good quality of life even after nearly 10 years of post-heart transplant. The dedicated multi-disciplinary heart transplant team comprises of Transplant Surgeons, Transplant Cardiologists, Intensivists/Critical Care Specialists, Pulmonologists, Infectious Disease Consultants, Immunologists, Pathologists, Transplant Co-ordinators, trained ICU & Ward Nurses and a Liaison officer. The cutting edge transplant centre has a rejection and infection surveillance system which meticulously follows up to prevent complications, such as infections, organ rejection, diabetes and osteoporosis as a consequence of immunosuppressive therapy.