Mortality rate among cardiac patients down to 30%: PGI doc

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 30

With integrated approach and better patient care, the Department of Cardiology, PGI, has been able to reduce the mortality rate to nearly 30 per cent, whereas the survival rate was 20-30 per cent eight years ago.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Dr Yash Paul Sharma, Head, Department of Cardiology, PGI, said the department was constantly trying to reduce the mortality in patients of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from 2001 onwards.

It was initially started in patients with cardiogenic shock with all comorbid diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, septicemia and advanced age, who used to be very sick and had mortality to the tune of 70-90 per cent, he said.

In many countries, these patients are not included in shock registry and research because they are not included in insurance reimbursement and there was a lack of evidence in treating these patients.

“We tried to intervene in such patients with strategic and integrated approach by explaining pros and cons after taking all precautions and 360 degree approach,” he said.

“Consistently with hard work and sincere efforts, the mortality has progressively reduced. Our approach is to treat all patients, including the sickest for real world registry of acute coronary syndromes, including patients with low socioeconomic status,” he said.

A planned research with ethical clearance was started from 2007 onwards to see the trend of cardiogenic shock and acute coronary syndromes.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) mortality world-wide varies around 8 per cent, while in India it is between 7 and 9 per cent.

Initially, mortality in the overall ACS population was around 16 per cent till 2012, including cardiogenic shock, which has gradually reduced to current mortality between 6 to 7 per cent.

In the group of patients with cardiogenic shock, the mortality was 36 to 40 per cent, which has now been reduced to around 30 per cent during 2018-2019.

“Our aim is to achieve lower mortality world-wide by using well monitored, innovative and integrated approach in high-risk cohorts of acute coronary syndromes using cost-effective approaches. For this, we have already started a multi-centric national registry for patients with acute coronary syndrome and cardiogenic shock. Through this registry, we will be sharing our experience and guiding other centres across India to achieve lower mortality along with low cost in patients with acute coronary syndrome,” he said.

How to keep your heart healthy

• Maintain regular activity
• Maintain stress-free environment
• Reduce sugar intake
• Increase whole foods
• Avoid re-using oil multiple times and reduce overall oil usage.
• Reduce salt intake
• Avoid smoking and alcohol intake.
• Reduce your weight
• Have a good night sleep.