09 July 2010
Bangalore, India
New Mantra
Increase in heart–related diseases is a major concern today. Adding more to the problem is the mitral valve rupture. Instead of a prosthetic valve replacing the natural one, doctors are now stressing on repairing the organ. Experts now say mitral valve can be repaired instead of replacing it.
Fortis Hospitals on Thursday conducted a session for cardiac surgeons on mitral valve repair, by Dr Vivek Jawali, chief cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at Fortis Hospitals. Noted cardiac surgeon and mitral valve repair specialist Dr Taweesak Chotivatanapong, HoD of Cardiothoracic Surgery Chest Disease Institute, Nonthaburi in Thailand, also participated.
“The new mantra is repair not replace. The best way to tackle the problem is to repair the damaged valve. These rheumatic heart diseases are due to complication of rheumatic fever, in which the heart valves are damaged,” said Dr Taweesak.
“Though rheumatic fever can strike people of all ages, it is most common in the age group of 10–30 years. Rheumatic heart diseases are more prevalent in the East,” Dr Jawali said. “The reason why India has high rheumatic heart diseases is because of poor social background, overcrowding and poverty. Almost 20% of all cardiovascular diseases comprises rheumatic heart disease in our country,” he added.
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