Professor and Head of Unit I Cardiology Oruganti Sai Satish addressing the media about the Radiofrequency Cathether Ablation procedure performed at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Hyderabad on Saturday (January 04, 2025).
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
Jaswant Kaur, a 75-year-old woman from Ludhiana in Punjab, arrived in Hyderabad early last year after experiencing persistent palpitations caused by a rapid and irregular heartbeat. Initially seeking treatment at a private hospital, Ms. Kaur was prescribed medication for two months but found no relief. In search of a permanent solution, she turned to the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) where she consulted Professor and Head of Unit I Cardiology Oruganti Sai Satish.
Dr. Sai Satish diagnosed her with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a condition characterised by abnormally fast heart rhythm originating in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). “SVT disrupts the heart’s electrical system and can severely impact a patient’s quality of life, causing symptoms such as dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and palpitations,” informed the doctor.
To address the issue, Dr. Sai Satish and his team performed a Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation (RFA) procedure in late 2024. This minimally invasive technique involves threading a thin catheter through a blood vessel to the heart, where heat energy is applied to remove the tissue causing the abnormal rhythm. The procedure offers a permanent cure and eliminates the need for lifelong medication, which often comes with side effects.
“Medications can manage the condition, but they rarely offer a permanent solution. RFA, however, provides a definitive cure, restoring normal heart rhythm and improving the patient’s quality of life,” said Dr. Sai Satish.
The surgery was a success, and Ms. Kaur is now ready for discharge. Her case is among 109 successful RFA procedures performed at NIMS in 2024, the highest number recorded by the hospital in a single year.
“Many of these life-saving procedures were performed free of cost, supported by the State government’s Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). Patients from across India, particularly from neighbouring States, have increasingly sought treatment at NIMS, attracted by the hospital’s expertise and lower cost compared to corporate hospitals,” said Dr. Sai Satish.
Published – January 04, 2025 08:22 pm IST
