Leading cardiologist advises Haryana govt on Covid management

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 30

A leading cardiologist based in Haryana Dr SS Bansal on Friday advised the Haryana government to help introduce HFNC machines which are a "better alternative to ventilators for clinical treatment of Covid patients with acute respiratory distress".

Managing Director of Faridabad-based Metro Heart Institute, Dr Bansal also pitched for rationalisation of the price of Oxygen used in treatment of Covid patients.

Speaking to TNS, Dr Bansal, whose institute has been at the forefront dealing with Covid cases, stressed that HFNC safeguards against multiple sources of infection, and hence enhances the survival rate of patients.

Patients get exposed to sources of infections in case of administration ventilators.

Faridabad and Gurgaon in the NCR were among the Covid hotspots in the region.

"After having dealt with hundreds of Covid patients, a safe conclusion favours HFNC device, which only a few hospitals have," Dr Bansal said.

He said the fall in temperature during the winter coupled with air pollution should be a time to observe extra caution against Coronavirus, which is a respiration malaise.

Besides, the infection of Coronavirus in such an atmosphere further aggravates the medical condition of patients.

Bansal's take on the susceptibility of patients having co-morbidity and related issue is that Covid causes the most danger to those sufferings from heart ailments.

"The clinical examinations of patients in Metro Heart Institute reveals that Covid patients who had no prior medical history of Cardiovascular disease, developed symptoms of cardio problems after the Corona infection," Dr Bansal said, adding that wearing of the mask was an effective preventive measure.

He said the virus affects various parts of the body like lungs, brain, intestine, kidneys, and heart. While lung is generally affected, the frequency of the virus affecting severely is comparatively less but severe.

Explaining the phenomenon, he said the virus enters the body and park themselves on ACE receptors in organs from where they operate and spread to all parts of the body and debilitating the entire body system, especially the heart.