Srinagar, Nov 22: Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has announced the launch of its Transcatheter Aortic Valve implantation (TAVI) program in the Department of Cardiology. This landmark initiative places SKIMS at the forefront of advanced cardiac care in the region, offering patients a minimally invasive solution to treat severe aortic stenosis.
The TAVI procedure provides a life-saving alternative for patients who are unable to undergo traditional open-heart surgery, the SKIMS said in a press release issued here, adding, “By replacing the narrowed aortic valve via catheter-based intervention, the TAVI program will improve recovery times and outcomes for high-risk patients, with less hospital stay and faster return to daily activities.”
Director SKIMS & EOSG Prof M. Ashraf Ganie hailed the Department of Cardiology for the launch of the TAVI and EVAR programme. He appreciated the department for its mission to lead in innovative healthcare solutions. “This solidifies SKIMS’s position as a premier institution for cardiac care in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Dr Hilal Ahmed Rather, Head of the Cardiology Department at SKIMS, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s potential to enhance patient care: “This program is a major advancement in our commitment to deliver state-of-the-art cardiac treatment options to the community. TAVI has proven to be a safe and effective alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis, especially those who may not be suitable candidates for surgery,” he said.
The department has done two back-to-back cases of TAVI in high-risk patients. In the recent past, the department has also started EVAR (Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair), which is a big relief to patients as previously they needed complex surgeries to manage such aneurysms.
The TAVI procedure at SKIMS is supported by a team of dedicated cardiac specialists, radiologists, vascular surgeons, nurses and technicians trained in the latest minimally invasive techniques. The hospital is also equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology and catheterization labs to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care.
The department has also been designated as a centre of excellence for heart failure device therapy and is the only centre in the state which is doing high-risk extraction of infected pacemakers, which is a huge relief for patients as they had to visit out-of-state previously for management.
