A team of dedicated anesthesiologists devoted to Cardio-thoracic surgery and Interventional cardiology headed by Dr.M.K.Sivakumar provides an unparalleled and outstanding pre-operative and post-operative care for a broad spectrum of Adult and Paediatric Cardiovascular procedures. The Cardiovascular procedures routinely performed here includes Coronary revascularization (Beating Heart Cardiac surgery – OPCAB, Minimally invasive cardiac surgery), Valvular heart surgeries (AVR, MVR, DVR, CMV), Complex Congenital heart defect corrections (ASD,VSD, ICR,ASO etc.), Pericardiectomy, Aortic aneurysm repair, Carotid Endarterectomy, Aorta-femoral bypass and A-V access grafts.
Cardiovascular Interventional procedures like Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Commissurotomy (PTMC), Balloon Mitral Valvotomy (BMV), Device Closures for Congenital Heart Defects. Mechanical heart assist device placement, Electrophysiological studies and ablations, Permanent Pacemaker Implantation are routinely carried out.
The Division of Cardio-thoracic Surgery in Kovai Medical Center & Hospital (KMCH) is one of the few centers in India handling a wide variety of thoracic cases for all age groups. The Cardio-thoracic Anaesthesia unit offers care for procedures like Tracheal Reconstruction, Pneumonectomy, Lobectomy, Mediastinal tumour excision, Tracheo- oesophageal fistula repairs, Complex interventional pulmonology procedures, Mediastinoscopy, Wedge resection, and all types of Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
The Unit anesthetizes and provides high quality care for almost 1000 patients annually received from all over the country for Cardiovascular and Thoracic procedures at KMCH. The Cardio-Thoracic Operation Theatre (CTOT) Suite has 3 cardiac and 1 thoracic Operating rooms built in about 10000sq. ft area which is equipped with highly sophisticated equipments on par with world standards. The Unit has been provided with all modern facilities to provide exemplary care for all patients undergoing Cardio-thoracic surgical and Interventional procedures. The Anesthesiologists of the unit are highly skilled professionals who offer an outstanding treatment. The Unit had challenged the usage of more blood products for Cardio-thoracic surgical procedures by adopting ethical blood conservation techniques.
Training & Research:
The Anaesthesiologists are trained and has expertise in care for patients exposed to Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest (DHCA), Cardioplegic Arrest , Ischemic-reperfusion injury, Perioperative organ injury (Brain, Kidney, and Heart in particular).
Diplomate of National Board (DNB) postgraduate anaesthesia trainees are offered specialized Cardiac anaesthesia training at our Unit.
Continued Medical Education on upcoming drugs and fluid administration, handling and usage of the latest equipments pertaining to Cardio-thoracic specialty, with relevance to the current global trends are conducted regularly. Departmental Clinical updates and Case discussions are carried out weekly in the discussion hall of our Cardio-thoracic Unit (CTU) which is exclusively dedicated for academic activities.
The team conducts research focused on administration of Cardio- and Neuroprotective drugs, minimizing cerebral air emboli and focal brain ischemia caused because of Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB), the effects of low-flow CPB and DHCA on cerebral outcome, and hyperglycemic exacerbation of myocardial injury following Cardioplegic Arrest.
Cardio-thoracic Intensive Care Unit (CT-ICU):
KMCH is one of the few corporate hospitals in the region that has the largest dedicated Cardio-thoracic Intensive Care Unit (CT-ICU) with state -of -the -art facility. All beds are completely equipped for Invasive hemodynamic monitoring and management including Pulmonary artery catheterization, Intra-Aortic Balloon Placement (IABP) etc.
The CT-ICU has a High Dependency Unit (HDU) which acts as a step down ICU. The division also has an Isolation suite to treat critically ill and infected patients. The CT-ICU has been well appreciated by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) for its stringent infection control practice.
The Duty Anaesthesiologist of our unit provides 24x7 cover for the CT-ICU and HDU along with the Duty Medical Officers.
The team comprises of physicians trained as Intensivists, who sees to that effective care given to the patients in the pre-operative period is been sustained during the post-op period. The expertise, support and guidance by the Cardio-thoracic Anaesthesiologists have contributed to the overall excellence in the outcome of the patient undergoing Cardio-thoracic surgery at KMCH which is unsurpassed.
Courses offered:
A 3 year course in B.Sc Cardio-pulmonary Perfusion Care technology is being conducted at the division of Cardio-thoracic Surgery by KMCH allied Health science educational trust. The course is affiliated to Dr. MGR University.
The Unit also offers training to the students of B.Sc. Physician Assistant programme and Diploma course in Operation theatre and Anaesthesia technology conducted by the KMCH educational trust affiliated to Dr. MGR University.
Support staffs:
Theatre nurses
Our staffs deliver a highly professional standard of patient care within the Operation theatre. They carry out safety checks on swabs, instruments and needles in coordination with the floor nurse. They maintain Narcotic drug register accurately for each operating session as delegated by the Chief Anaesthesiologist.
The staffs accurately and promptly complete documents related to patient procedure and strictly maintain theatre records. They are trained to assist for all Cardio-thoracic emergency procedures. They carry out strict sterilization programme in conjunction with the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) as per the NABH protocol.
Clinical Perfusionists
All our Perfusionists are skilled and trained health professionals specialized in operating the Heart-lung machine and other Cardiac assist devices. The Perfusion team works under the guidance of the Cardiac anaesthesia department. Their services are of great assistance to the anaesthetisiologist during CPB, VAD application, Hemofiltration (MUF/CUF/Pre BUF), Blood gas monitoring and thermal regulation.
They also help in fostering the academic activities of B.Sc Perfusion trainees by giving hands on experience with the CPB circuits and pumps. Academic classes on perfusion and VAD are also carried out by the senior perfusionist for the trainees.
Anaesthesia Technicians/Nurses
A highly trained and experienced anaesthesia technician/nurse helps the Cardio-thoracic Anaesthesiologist in each Operating room. They are familiar with the anaesthetic drugs, monitors and equipments. They have regular teaching sessions to update their knowledge. They play a significant role in theatre by getting the anaesthesia machine, equipment, fluids & drugs ready.
Cardio-pulmonary Rehabilitation specialists
A team of physiotherapists and respiratory therapists help in the CT-ICU and HDU to recuperate the patients who have undergone surgery by motivating them to do exercise that can speed up their ailing process. The specialists mobilize the patient, make him ambulant, offer respiratory exercises and give psychological support.
Community Out-reach programme:
A team comprising of a Cardiologist, Cardiac Surgeon, Cardiac Anaesthesiologist along with support staffs conducts monthly free cardiac camps at rural areas through the hospital. All those who attend the camp are briefed about their health status and given appropriate advice regarding medication.