Division of Adult Cardiology and Interventions

FacultyServices Projects PublicationsResearch Staff Alumni

The Department of Cardiology offers its expertise in risk stratification, prevention and comprehensive management as well as facilitate rehabilitation of patients with a wide range of coronary and non-coronary cardiac ailments. The patients presenting to the Out Patient Department are evaluated clinically along with basic non-invasive investigations on the same day with the formulation of a management strategy. Those requiring admissions urgently are hospitalized immediately depending on the availability of in-patient beds. The department also offers risk-stratification of patients prior to cardiac, vascular and non-cardiac surgeries.
Non- invasive or minimally invasive diagnostic modalities available in the Department / Institute.

Facilities & Services

Echocardiography including advanced echocardiographic methods like trans-esophageal echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, strain, speckled tracking, 3D echocardiography (trans-thoracic and trans-esophageal). Currently, there are five echocardiography machines available in the department of Cardiology.

Stress testing- tread mill exercise electrocardiogram and Dobutamine stress echocardiography

Cardiac MRI - for diagnosis of various cardiomyopathies and assessment of viability

Invasive Diagnostic facilities

Diagnostic cardiac catheterization and angiography: The department has three cardiac catheterization laboratories installed presently, where various diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations are undertaken. Digital subtraction angiography is available for imaging of vascular structures also.

Intravascular Ultrasound imaging - for anatomical evaluation of coronary stenosis.

FFR and Doppler wire - for hemodynamic assessment of coronary stenosis.

Intra-cardiac echocardiography

Interventional cardio-vascular procedures offered include (in indicated patients):

Percutaneous coronary interventions - both emergent and elective, including advanced interventions with Rotational atherectomy support.

Percutaneous balloon valvotomies, including in pregnant women.

Percutaneous closure of persistent arterial duct in adult, ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm, Para-prosthetic valvular leak, coronary-cameral fistula, arterio-venous fistula, etc

Percutaneous implantation of IVC filter

Intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation

Training

The department of Cardiology offers the following programs where in the candidates are given exposure to various aspects of practice of adult cardiology.

  1. Post Doctoral Fellowship in Adult Cardiology and Interventions: one year program after completion of DM Cardiology. The program involves hands-on training in all diagnostic aspects of adult cardiac care as well as interventional cardiac catheterizations. The Fellowship provides ample opportunities for professional and academic enhancement including research projects and publication/ presentation of scientific papers.
  2. Residency In Cardiology - DM cardiology trainees are trained on the various aspects of cardiac care including clinical cardiology, various non-invasive diagnostic methods and protocols, work up and management of patients with various ailments, work up of patients for invasive procedures, interpretation and analysis of various hemodynamic data, performance of invasive cardiac procedures including hands-on training where ever applicable. There is equal emphasis on structured academic sessions where in seminars and journal articles are presented and practical issues in management are discussed.
  3. PhD scholars in life-sciences
  4. Clinical Engineering scholars - M Tech & PhD in Clinical Engineering
  5. Technicians program - DCLT: The students enrolling for the technician courses in Cardiology are imparted training on the performance and maintenance of various modalities.
  6. Nursing students - Post basic program in cardiology
  7. Training for doctors and nurses from other Institutions.
Projects/Consultancies
  1. Economic impact of ACS in household economic well-being. Funded by ICHealth, NewDelhi, World bank and WHO (5189) - [In collaboration with AMCHSS]
  2. Impact of inflammatory markers and pulmonary Hypertension in the development of restenosis in Juvenile MS, funded by the Pulmonary vascular research Institute(PVRI), Canterbury, United Kingdom (5204)
  3. Kerala Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry - Largest registry of and South Kerala Co-Ordinator acute coronary syndromes in India - Funded by the Cardiological Society of India (5225)
Ongoing Projects
  1. National Acute Coronary syndrome registry : Funded by ICMR
  2. Coronary artery disease in the Young - Funded by KSCSTE, Kerala Government
  3. UMPIRE - Use of a Multidrug Pill in Reducing Cardiovascular events - Funded by European Commission , through Imperial College, London
  4. Mechanisms and Modulations of in-stent restenosis: possible role of circulating Progenitor Cells - Sponsor - ICMR, New Delhi. (In collaboration with Thrombosis Research Unit, Poojappura).
  5. Empowering female health workers with electronic gadgets - Pilot project funded by DST, Govt of India - Women Component Plan in Collaboration with AMCHSS
  6. CIH - Community Intervention for Health - OXFORD Health Alliance -UK - In collaboration with AMCHSS.
  7. The Asian Regional Network for NCD Research Capacity - Collaboration with Monash university Australia, Malaysia, SriLanka and India ( SCTIMST - AMCHSS) - NIH grant.
  8. Tobacco cessation - India - Indonesia Project - Arizona University
  9. PhD Student Project - Coronary artery disease in the Young - Thrombotic and Biochemical risk factors (In Collaboration with Department of Biochemistry and Thrombosis Research Unit, Poojappura, Funded by KGSCTE, Government of Kerala)
Other Ongoing Activities
  1. Human Space Flight Programme - With VSSC along with BMT Wing. Dept is part of the team which develops the space suit and vital sign monitors.
  2. ECG electrodes - Part of the team which develops ECG electrodes - With Instrumentation division of SCTIMST, BMT Wing Poojappura.
Areas of Ongoing Research
  1. Virtual Histology IVUS based characterisation of atherosclerotic plaques in diabetics Vs Non-Diabetics.
  2. Target vessel dimensions - Comparison of grey scale IVUS and Cine angiographic QCA and cine angiographic automated 3D re-construction.
  3. Stent Expansion Characteristics during elective PCI in stable CAD - Grey Scale IVUS study.
  4. Usefulness of Chromaflowtmin assessing adequate stent expansion.
  5. Comparison of IVUS and FFR in intermediate coronary lesions in stable CAD.
  6. Non-regression of PH following Balloon Mitral Valvotomy and its influence on valve restenosis.
  7. Congenital coronary anomalies of origin and distribution in adults - 256 slice CT vs Cine angiographic study.
  8. Influence of ongoing subclinical inflammation in the development of atherosclerotic coronary lesions in patients with RHD.
  9. Juvenile mitral stenosis - long term outcome after Balloon Mitral Valvotomy
  10. Assessment of mitral valve morphology using real time 3D echocardiography before BMV compared to 2D techniques.
How to contact

Cardiac Emergency Helpline: Patients suffering from or suspected to having cardiac emergencies like myocardial infarction (heart attack), etc may contact and present to the Cardiology OPD/ Emergency Room (Phone: 0471-2524219) or may contact the Cardiology CCU (Phone: 0471-2524524)

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