Manipal Heart Foundation uses stroke reducing device for the first time in India

* Proximal Anastomosis Device reduces the risk of a stroke during bypass heart surgery

Bangalore, August 24, 2004: The atheromas (deposits of mainly cholesterol) are present on the wall of the aorta, which are broken into debris on the application of a clamp to get a clear bloodless field to perform the anastomosis – a CABG procedure. However, the clamp placed on the aorta during bypass surgery has the potential risk of the patient suffering from a stroke due to the atheromastous debris (damaged particles of calcium and cholesterol) reaching the brain. But, there is no cause for worry anymore!

A new device called the Proximal Anastomosis Device has been developed, which eliminates the need for partial occlusion clamping during coronary artery bypass grafting. This patient friendly device, used for the first time in the country at Manipal Heart Foundation, reduces the risk of stroke and minimises the blood loss during surgery.

Says Dr. Ganeshakrishnan Iyer, Chief Cardiac Surgeon at Manipal Heart Foundation: “The pressure on the wall of the aorta due to the clamp damages the deposits of cholesterol inside the wall. These debris are released whenever the clamp is placed and removed, which could result in a stroke if it reaches the brain. The new device does not damage the wall of the aorta and therefore there is reduced risk of a stroke and the blood loss is also very minimal”. Dr. Iyer used this device for the first time in India on a 60 year old female patient at Manipal Heart Foundation. He has performed five such operations using the proximal anastomosis device till date.

The device exerts substantially less pressure on the aortic wall as compared to partial occlusion clamp, decreasing vessel trauma. Hence, the device is much safer compared to the proximal clamp and does not increase the operative time.

The proximal anastomosis device is inserted into the aorta and expanded to form a hexagon shaped clamp area that is sealed with the aortic wall giving more work area for performing the CABG procedure.

Issued by:                                                             For further information, contact:

Rajesh Pandey / D.K. Venktesh                                Dr. Ganeshakrishnan Iyer
Media & Communications                                         Chief Cardiac Surgeon
Manipal Hospital & Heart Foundation                       Manipal Heart Foundation
Phone: 98440 57437 / 98454 50336                       Ph: 98454 70238