Egmore’s ICH: A Pioneer in Paediatric Heart Care
Egmore’s Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Hospital for Children stands out as one of the busiest government hospitals in Tamil Nadu, distinguished by its unique Paediatric Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) Department. Established in 1986, it remains the only stand-alone paediatric CTVS unit in the Tamil Nadu government health system and has attracted patients statewide and from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Recently, a five-day-old baby diagnosed with a heart block received a permanent pacemaker at the facility. The department, led by Professor G.K. Jaikaran, has handled 3,660 complex surgeries in the past 12 years. These include procedures for conditions such as Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Atrial Septal Defect, and Tetralogy of Fallot, among others. On average, the team performs 30 surgeries and handles 300 outpatient cases monthly.
The paediatric heart procedures require a high level of precision and can last anywhere from four to ten hours. "Surgeries often start at 9 a.m. and conclude by 6 p.m., especially with newborns presenting unique challenges," notes Professor K. Dhanasekaran from the anaesthesia team.
The department was elevated to a Centre of Excellence in 2018, featuring two new modular operating theatres and a dedicated ICU. During the first phase of COVID-19, ICH emerged as the lone government centre to conduct 200 surgeries.
A month ago, the hospital received a newborn from Gummidipoondi diagnosed with a heart block in utero. Despite initial medical interventions, the infant’s heart rate remained critically low, necessitating pacemaker implantation. "This was our fifth newborn pacemaker implantation, making a total of 11 in children overall," highlights Dr. Jaikaran. The procedure was complex due to the pacemakers being sized for adults, presenting another layer of challenge for the skilled surgical team.
Published: September 23, 2024 | 12:05 am IST
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/treating-little-hearts-for-over-three-decades/article68667427.ece
Category : Chennai
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