Dr. C. K. Ponde
Section Head – Invasive & Non-Invasive, Consultant - Cardiologist
M.D. (Gen. Med), D.M. (Card), D.N.B. (Card) FACC (USA), FSCAI (USA) FCSI, FISE, FICC, FIAE
Dr. Rajesh Rajani
Consultant Coronary Interventionist
M.D, D.M, Fellow (Interventional Cardiology)
Cardiology
We at P. D. Hinduja Hospital offer complete care for all kinds of cardiac conditions under one roof and are considered among the top Non Invasive and Invasive Cardiology treatment hospital in Mumbai. You will receive the most effective care possible from our highly skilled doctors, who are backed by properly trained clinical staff.
Congenital Heart Disease: It is the term describing the structural heart defects that exist from birth and frequently need individualised treatment plans and therapies.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): It is the most common type of heart disease in which blood vessels get blocked or narrowed.
Pulmonary Embolism & Deep Vein Thrombosis: DVT is a heart condition in which blood clots develop in deep veins. If the clot spreads to the lungs and obstructs blood flow, it may result in pulmonary embolism.
Heart Attack: A heart attack, also sometimes called a Myocardial Infarction, is mainly caused by a blockage of blood flow to a certain specific area of the heart, which causes harm to heart muscle tissue and demands immediate medical intervention.
Heart Failure: A condition when the heart muscle does not allow proper pumping of the blood.
Cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmia: It refers to the abnormal rhythm of the heart, which can cause serious complications.
Hypertension: Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is a long-term medical condition marked by raised blood pressure levels. To lower the risk of cardiovascular consequences, prescribed medicines and advised lifestyle modifications are frequently chosen to treat hypertension.
Heart Valve Disease: This heart condition is characterised by the malfunction of one or more heart valves, which can cause symptoms including exhaustion, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Pericardial Disease: The term "pericardial disease" describes disorders that affect the sac that surrounds the heart, the pericardium. These disorders can cause fluid to build up (pericardial effusion) or inflammation (pericarditis), which can result in chest pain, palpitations, and other symptoms.
Non Invasive Cardiology
The Non-Invasive section houses the most advanced machines for carrying out cardiac investigations. Non-invasive cardiology utilizes various techniques to diagnose the heart problem. There are no needles, or instruments inserted in the body, hence the name non-invasive cardiology. The cardiologist recommends medication and / or lifestyle changes once the risk or condition is identified.
- Echocardiography (ECG): Using ultrasound waves, this technique generates detailed images of the heart, helping in the detection of infections, structural issues, and assessing cardiac function such as blood pumping efficiency.
- Stress Tests (TMT): This process involves cardiologists monitoring patients' heart function during exercise-induced stress, facilitating the diagnosis of potential heart issues and guiding treatment plans accordingly.
- Heart Monitors: Our facility offers 24-hour Holter monitoring, which tracks the heart's electrical activity over an extended period, providing valuable insights into cardiac health.
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of blood pressure over a period provides a comprehensive picture of a patient's cardiovascular health.
- Stress Thallium Study: This nuclear imaging test helps assess the flow of blood in the heart during rest and exercise, helping in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and related conditions.
- Dobutamine Stress Thallium: Conducted by our Nuclear Imaging department, this specialised test evaluates cardiac function and blood flow under stress conditions.
- Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE): TEE utilises ultrasound technology to create detailed images of the heart from within the oesophagus, providing valuable diagnostic information.
- 2D Echo: This imaging technique produces two-dimensional images of the heart's structures and functions, aiding in the diagnosis of various cardiac conditions.
- Cardiac Electrophysiology: By studying the heart's electrical currents, this technique helps in understanding and diagnosing arrhythmia and other electrical abnormalities.
- CT Scans: Our facility utilises CT scans to monitor heart disease and atherosclerosis, providing detailed images for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Additionally, we offer advanced Non-Invasive Electrocardiography investigations such as T Wave Alternans (TWA), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and Late Potentials by Signal-averaged ECG (SAECG). These specialised medical tests are crucial for identifying patients at high risk for SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest), enabling timely interventions to prevent adverse cardiac events.
Invasive Cardiology
Invasive cardiology encompasses procedures aimed at identifying and treating structural or electrical abnormalities within the heart, often through open or minimally invasive surgical techniques. For the heart to return to normal and for general cardiac health to improve, these treatments are essential.
- Angiography / Coronary Angiography: This surgical procedure is pivotal in assessing the degree of narrowing in coronary arteries, providing essential information for treatment planning in conditions like coronary artery disease.
- Angioplasty: Angioplasty involves the insertion of a small balloon into a narrowed artery to widen it and restore proper blood flow. It's a common intervention for alleviating blockages caused by plaque buildup, often performed following coronary angiography.
- Stenting: Often performed along with angioplasty, stenting involves the placement of a small metal coil (stent) in the treated artery to maintain its patency and prevent re-narrowing, ensuring sustained blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty: This procedure aims to repair a narrowed opening of the mitral valve, improving blood flow through the heart and relieving symptoms associated with mitral valve stenosis.
- Paediatric Invasive Cardiology: Specialised procedures tailored to the unique cardiac needs of paediatric patients, including diagnostic catheterisations and therapeutic interventions to address congenital heart defects.
- Diagnostic Catheterisation: Catheter-based invasive procedures are used to diagnose a variety of cardiac diseases, offering important insights into the structure and function of the heart.
- Pulmonary Valvuloplasty: This procedure is performed to alleviate narrowing of the pulmonary valve, restoring normal blood flow from the heart to the lungs.
- Aortic Valvuloplasty: Similar to pulmonary valvuloplasty, this intervention targets narrowing of the aortic valve, improving cardiac function and reducing symptoms associated with aortic stenosis.
- Septostomy: In certain cases of congenital heart defects, Septostomy may be performed to create or enlarge an opening between the heart's chambers, optimising blood flow and alleviating symptoms.
- Electrophysiology
• Permanent Pacemakers (PPM)
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
• Biventricular Pacing (BiV or Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy)
Besides diagnostic electrophysiology study, we also offer therapeutic ablative procedures for various arrhythmias with the use of Conventional EP systems and also state of the art mapping system (St.Jude Ensite Velocity). We are the first Hospital to acquire a mapping system in Western India. We also offer ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation.
Infrastructure:
- State of art and fully integrated catheterization lab that handles simplex and complex complex coronary angioplasties and other procedures.
- The combo cath lab offers diagnostic and therapeutic facility at the same time.
- Structural Cardiac Intervention: Services offered are like TAVR / TAVI (Trans catheter aortic valve replacement), Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR / PPVI), Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), Mitra-clip, PFO closure, Left atrial appendage closure and many others.
- The department has the latest Electrophysiology (EP) equipments, offers - pacemaker implantation, Intracardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation, Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), EP study, Radio-frequency ablation for complex arrhythmias etc.
Q1. Why should I choose P. D. Hinduja Hospital for my heart-related problems?
Ans. When it comes to heart-related problems P. D. Hinduja Hospital is the best cardiac hospital in Mumbai. It is known for providing state-of-the-art technology, a team of best heart specialists in Mumbai, and a patient-centric approach to care, all of which ensure optimal results and individualised treatment for each and every patient.
Q2. When should I consider seeing a Cardiologist?
Ans. If you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking, or if you experience symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you should think about visiting a cardiologist at the best cardiac care hospital in Mumbai. Early detection and treatment can greatly improve outcomes and prevent serious complications.
Q3. What is the difference between Regular and CT Angiography?
Ans. Regular angiography involves injecting contrast dye into the bloodstream to visualise blood vessels using X-rays, often performed invasively. In contrast, CT angiography utilises computed tomography (CT) imaging to create detailed images of blood vessels without the need for invasive procedures, offering a non-invasive alternative for diagnosing heart and vascular conditions.
Q4. Why might I need angioplasty?
Ans. Angioplasty may be necessary if you have blockages or narrowing in your coronary arteries, leading to symptoms like chest pain (angina) or increasing your risk of a heart attack. The procedure helps restore blood flow by widening the narrowed arteries using a balloon catheter, often combined with stent placement to keep the artery open and improve blood flow to the heart muscle.
Q5. Is heart attack and heart failure the same?
Ans. No, a heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, leading to damage to the heart muscle, while heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.
Q6. Can an ECG detect a heart attack?
Ans. Yes, an ECG (electrocardiogram) can detect a heart attack by showing specific patterns, such as ST-segment elevation or depression, indicative of myocardial injury or ischemia. However, other tests like cardiac enzymes and imaging studies are often used alongside ECG to confirm a heart attack diagnosis.
Q7. Is it possible to reduce the risk of heart disease?
Ans. Yes, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats, maintaining a healthy weight, abstaining from smoking, managing stress, and managing medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol with medication and routine monitoring can help reduce the risk of heart disease.