Times of India
17 September 2010
Chennai, India

The last time senior cardiologists from across the country met there were conflicting data on heart failure rates and lack of clarity on standards for treatment. Some from South India felt the situation would not have risen had there been a national database of heart failure patients.

On September 21, a registry for South India will be inaugurated by deputy chief minister MK Stalin.
Experts from 13 hospitals, including Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Apollo Hospitals, Madurai, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bangalore, Care Hospital, Hyderabad and Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute in Kerala, will be part of the registry.

The registry will record the rate of incidence of heart disorders, the profiles of patients and treatment options. Though there will be no initial funding for studies and data collection, hospitals have vowed to keep it active for at least 18 months. "Setting up such registries would be far from easy," admits Dr S Thanikachalam, head, cardiac department at Sri Ramachandra University.

"It can be laborious and taxing. But there are many good things that can happen. First, is the rich Indian data. This will help us formulate standard treatment protocol for Indian, or more specifically south Indians. Second, this could be pilot project for a national registry. Once we establish a sustainable system it is easy to convince the government for funding," he said. The society will then consider expanding it across the country.

Other cardiologists are equally excited. "We will be meeting on September 20 to discuss the format. It has been decided that the data collection centre for the registry will be changed every six months. Besides avoiding bias, this will give everyone a chance," said Dr CN Manjunath, director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bangalore. Electro physicians believe such registries can provide a comprehensive feedback on the effectiveness of products like defibrillators and pacemakers.

"We don’t have any record to say how many such devices have effectively sent out an electrical jolt to interrupt a deadly heart rhythm. That is, do patients really benefit from the equipment?"

Heart Of The Matter

• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India would become the world capital of cardiac disease by 2015
• Indian cardiac patients are already about 10 years younger than patients in the west
• Some heart disorders found in a 35–year–old Indian are similar to those found in an average 60–year–old in the US
• Nearly 10% of Indians develop heart diseases without having any risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes