Treatment for heart patients at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is set to become more modern and faster than ever before. Six advanced machines will soon be available for cardiac patients, for treating heart defects in unborn children, and for surgical procedures.
Bhopal: A significant relief is on the horizon for heart patients at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal. A new cardiac setup, costing ₹22 crore, is being established at the hospital, which will include six state-of-the-art machines. Once this new system is operational, patients will no longer have to wait for extended periods, and critical heart conditions can be treated promptly.
The 6 New Machines and Their Benefits
Sandeep Jain, Deputy Director of AIIMS Bhopal, stated that this new facility will be provided under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Under this initiative, a high-tech biplane cardiac cath lab will be established. Patients will be able to benefit from this facility starting November 2025.
1. Biplane Cardiac Cath Lab
- Provides X-ray images from two different angles.
- Helps doctors visualize the heart and arteries from dual perspectives.
- Facilitates easier diagnosis of conditions such as congenital heart defects in children, complex blockages, valve repair, and stroke.
2. Holter Machine
- Records heart rhythm for 24 to 48 hours.
- Useful for detecting irregularities in heartbeats.
- Currently, patients have to wait up to two months for this test, which will be reduced with the new machine.
3. Advanced Treadmill Exercise Machine
- Tests the capacity of the heart and lungs.
- Assesses patient recovery after surgery more easily.
- Previously, there was an average waiting period of 3-4 months for this test.
4. Transesophageal Echocardiography Machine
- Provides 2D, 3D, and 4D cardiac images.
- Extremely useful for congenital heart defects and heart valve surgeries.
5. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Provides a 3D view of arteries.
- Simplifies the assessment of blood flow and testing the efficacy of medications.
6. Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)
- Delivers high-definition images from inside arteries.
- Aids in accurately assessing blockages.
- Helps doctors decide whether to treat with stents or medication.
Currently, AIIMS Bhopal has two cardiac cath labs, but the number of patients is continuously increasing. In many cases, immediate treatment for conditions like heart attacks is not readily available. According to AIIMS data, approximately 200-300 patients undergo angiography, angioplasty, and pacemaker procedures daily. Due to the shortage of machines, patients had to wait for 2-3 months for echo and cath lab procedures.
