Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Surgery - at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.
Ludhiana, April 16, 2013: Harjeet Singh (name changed) – a 55 year old bank manager residing in Sarabha Nagar Ludhiana suffered a massive heart attack. He was treated initially at a local heart hospital where an angiogram showed a severe blockage of all 3 arteries.
Additionally Harjeet’s attack continued and also he had a severely leaking heart valve (mitral valve). He was immediately referred to Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Surgery - at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. Dr Bedi has trained at the St Vincents Hospital in Sydney where he has conducted a number of complex heart surgeries. Dr Bedi realised that this was a particularly major problem as the heart valve would have to be taken care of during the bypass surgery. In leaking valves there are 2 options – to change the valve or repair it. Repairing a valve especially in a patient who is having a major heart attack – is technically difficult. But, according to Dr Bedi – replacing the valve which though easier – would harm the patient more. It was also realized that there could be a rapid deterioration if timely surgery was not done.
Under the expert supervision of the Cardiac Anaesthesia team – Dr Shital Garg and Dr Melchi Singh – anesthesia was given. An artificial heart support machine was inserted as the heart was very weak. Then a detailed plan was made to repair the valve using a special imported ring along with a triple bypass. The plan worked superbly - the bypass restored blood flow and the valve leakage stopped because of a perfect application of the ring. This required the heart to be stopped and put on a heart lung machine.
The other members of the cardiac team involved in this marathon surgery were Dr A Joseph, Dr Anish , Dr Jerry, Dr Amol, Dr Sheriff, Dr Swati, Dr Puliyelli and Dr Junish Bagga . The heart lung machine was handled by Jairus and William.
Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC & H – emphasised that complex surgeries are being done successfully in CMC. This is possible because of the excellent infrastructure and faculty of CMC. He told that Dr Bedi has one of the largest experiences of repairing heart valves in India – especially those where a heart attack is also present. He said that CMC is committed to bring International level cardiac care to the doorsteps of the people of this region.