Breast Cancer Awareness event Held at Stella Maris College by Apollo Hospitals Chennai

 In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Apollo Hospitals Chennai organised a panel discussion session on the importance of “Early Detection of Breast Cancer” among students at Stella Maris College Chennai. Panel of experts from Apollo Cancer Centre educated the attendees about the stages of Breast Cancer and the need for awareness. 

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women globally and in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.1 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Statistics show that 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with Breast Cancer around the world and in India, one in every 28 women gets one of more than 12 types of breast cancer in their lifetime. Rapid Change in lifestyle has increased the number of younger women falling prey to Breast Cancer in India. Apollo Hospitals Chennai organized this event in the spirit of raising awareness among young women on the importance of recognizing and screening for any symptoms of breast cancer. 

An Eminent Panel of experts including Dr.Bhagyam Raghavan, Senior Consultant Radiologist, Breast & Onco Imaging Specialist, Apollo Cancer Centre, Dr.Rathna Devi, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centre, Dr.Selvi Radhakrishna, Senior Consultant Breast & Oncoplastic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals & Chennai Breast Centre, Mr. Dinesh Madhavan, President, Apollo Hospitals Group Oncology & International addressed the symptoms, Diagnosis – Mammogram, risk factors, treatment, Care and coping skills in fighting Breast cancer.

Expressing concern about the growing prevalence of breast cancer, Ms. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals said, “In India, breast cancer has become the most common cancer in women and delayed diagnosis of the disease leads to a high mortality rate. This must change and Apollo Hospitals is committed to empowering India with information about the invaluable merits of early detection of breast cancer, which makes it conquerable. Today, an unfortunate statistic is that almost every 13 minutes, a woman dies of breast cancer. As responsible country, India has to come together and usher positive change to make this statistic history.”

Speaking during the occasion Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals said, “Women are integral to building stronger nations and we must encourage them live healthy so that they realise their fullest potential. As alumni, I am greatly pleased that my institution, Stella Maris College is partnering Apollo Hospitals in raising breast health awareness in the community. It’s critical that early on, women become aware about reducing risk factors of breast cancer and also the importance of early detection of cancer. Students are change makers and we at Apollo Hospitals are keen to partner them in building a healthier India.”

Breast Cancer Conquers who were treated at Apollo Hospitals, shared their inspirational come back stories with the young women audience from Stella Maris College. Over 100 students actively participated in the discussion and clarified their doubts and the myths about breast cancer with the experts from Apollo Cancer Centre Chennai. Students also pledged to support the fight against Breast cancer and showcased their art works and paintings based on the theme “Importance of Breast Cancer Awareness”. 

Apollo Hospitals in collaboration with Japanese doctors successfully treat difficult coronary artery blocks.

  Apollo Hospitals, India’s premier healthcare service provider organized Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) workshop in the presence of world-renowned Cardiologist, Dr.  Tomohiko Teramoto  Chief Director at the Cardiovascular Medicine, Ichinomiya Nishi Hospital, Ichinomiya, Aichi, Japan at Apollo Speciality Hospitals Vanagaram, today. The workshop was attended by  50 doctors including 30  cardiologists in which advance techniques in Interventional Cardiology were discussed.

Dr.  Tomohiko Teramoto is one of the Pioneers in the field of Complex Coronary Intervention who has successfully performed several thousands of Complex Coronary Interventions and trained several cardiologists in such procedure.

Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) occurs when the coronary artery is completely blocked with fatty deposits inside its walls for more than 3 months causing chest pain and breathlessness. These blocks are made up of hardened tissues that are difficult to cross using routine guidewires and balloon catheters. Worldwide CTO is considered the last resort in cardiac intervention procedures. The success rate of an angioplasty procedure in such cases depends upon specialized training, experience, and innovative devices designed specifically for CTO.

Treatment of multiple, severe blocks including long segment blocks,  small blood vessel blocks and 100% blocks called CTOs are a lot more successful nowadays with improved devices that are available. Unlike routine angioplasty, Japanese have developed highly specialized wires, balloons and catheters that are specifically used for treating CTO.

 Today’s event demonstrated the latest equipment used in the most skillful way to treat coronary artery disease. The workshop witnessed consultant cardiologists from Chennai and out of Chennai participating in the live workshop organized by Apollo Speciality Hospital Vanagaram.

Presenting a couple of recent successful procedures Dr. Harikrishnan Parthasarathy, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Speciality Hospital Vanagaram said, “Coronary artery disease is an epidemic and there is a worrying increase in the younger population in India. This is mainly due to improper lifestyle and bad food habits. Drug-eluting stents have revolutionized coronary artery disease treatment and outcomes are comparable to bypass surgery with reduced risk to life. We have worked in collaboration with the doctors from Japan in various cases for successfully treating such difficult blocks.”

Apollo Hospitals Group was the pioneer in India to launch the first center dedicated to the field of Chronic Total Occlusions (CTO) offering angioplasty procedures for 100% blocked arteries. The CTO center has the best technology and the latest equipments like IVUS, a technology that is used in very few centers across the country to assist in CTO procedures. IVUS technology is the most powerful and safe tool to perform these complex procedures. Apollo Speciality Hospitals Vanagaram has performed many successful CTO procedures over the years as it offers the best technologies including IVUS cardiac catheterization suites, CT Coronary Angiography, Cardiac MRI and Coronary guide wires, micro-catheters, balloons and Intra Vascular Ultra Sound (IVUS) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

Apollo Hospitals Group launches Apollo ProHealth

Apollo Hospitals Group launches Apollo ProHealth –

First predictive, proactive &comprehensive health management program

 Apollo HospitalsGroup, India’s first multi-speciality chain of hospitals, today launched Apollo ProHealthProgram – the most powerful, proactive Health Management program.Apollo ProHealthwill be a first of its kind, comprehensive health program, powered by pHRA(personalised Health Risk Assessment), enabled by Artificial Intelligence.

This program is specially curated and conceptualised by Apollo’s experts and innovators in preventive healthcare, basis the experience & learning of over 20 million health checks conducted by Apollo. ProHealth empowers individuals &businesses with actionable health analytics, to know & eradicate health risks, and, lead healthier &happier lives. The program brings technology & human elements together by providing a personal Health Mentor to guide each individual to stay focussed on health track and gain better health& lasting happiness.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “We all are focussed on cure not care. I want people to focus on the CARE in HealthCare. Treating diseases is not the only way to health. If we Care for our health we will not need to cure anything ever. World is facing tsunami of NCDs (Non-communicable diseases), that is threatening even our young generations. An economy like ours, which is both ambitious and aggressive, needs healthy citizens to realise its true potential. This is not possible with the growing menace of lifestyle diseases or NCDs. Cancer, Diabetes, Strokes, Obesity, Smoking are increasingly impact our capability, which in turn impacts our productivity & economic growth. Apollo ProHealth is aninnovative giant step towards changing the way we treat our health. A true healer heals before there is need to heal.”

Apollo Hospitals Grouphad introduced to the country its first ‘Personalized Preventive Health Check’over four decades ago, and now we are introducing the world’s most powerful preventive health management program to redefine newer dimensionsof healthcare today. About 80% of NCDs mortality is preventable, and,Apollo ProHealthprogram will help prevent these preventable deaths.” he added.

Ms. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Non-communicable diseases pose the greatest healthcare challenge. The WHO has emphasized that chronic lifestyle ailments are best managed via preventive measures. Preventive healthcare in the form of personalised and healthmanagement programs can play a vital role in detecting diseases in their early stages. Apollo ProHealth is designed on the three principles of Predict, Prevent and Overcome to ensure tangible, measurable changes in the livesof people. The use of AI to assess risk is backed by learning gained from over 20 million health checks and the program will transform the concept of preventive healthcare in the country. With the AI enabled personalised Health Risk Assessment (pHRA), HealthMentor and appropriate clinical and life style interventions every individual is guided at every step on to the pathway towards healthy living.”

Ms.UpasanaKemineniKonidela, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Foundation, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, said on the occasion, “Work life dynamics are fast changing around us. Challenges of the lifestyle diseases or NCDs (Non- Communicable Diseases) is on an up rise. Our workforce is fast succumbing to tsunami of NCDs, suffering from preventable deaths and disability due to Stroke, Diabetes, Cancer, Obesity, sleep deprivation, Cardiac ailments etc. The situation is critical and alarming given more people at increasingly younger ages falling prey to them. It is imperative to bring Health into the main stream of business planning by corporate organisations. Preventing workforce from the ill effects of tsunami of NCDs using predictive tools to mitigate issues at an early stage is essential given that this tsunami can strike anyone anytime. In today's complex and fast-changing health care environment, visionary employers must taking lead in providing innovative approaches for employee health and well-being while realizing real results. I’m certain that a small shift from curative to preventive health-watch with a mid to long term view will better the health index of employees”.

Dr.Prathap C Reddy added, “Life is Priceless! The notional value of a human body as indicated by scientists is in excess of 6 trillion dollars! This is what it would cost if we had the ability to make a human being. It is our responsibility to protect that which is truly priceless – our body and health! Let’s together declare war on NCDs and ensure good health and happiness for all!”

Apollo ProHealth has been launched in Chennai and Hyderabad today and plans are in place to cover all the metro cities by subsequently. Apollo ProHealth will be launched and available across the Apollo ecosystem by the end of the year.

Apollo Hospitals Group launches Apollo ProHealth – First predictive, proactive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A52u_SjKDu4

Personalized Preventive Health Check | Apollo Hospitals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv90qtS8tAg

We all are focussed on cure not care | Doctor Prathap C Reddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tIussRMx0I

Non-communicable diseases pose the greatest healthcare challenge | Preetha Reddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rt3AnNIlNo

APOLLO HOSPITALS CHENNAI A PIONEER IN REVIVING OUT OF HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST PATIENTS

Almost 8 lakh people die off sudden cardiac arrest every year in India with over 80% of these emergencies occur outside a hospital setting. On average, a victim begins to suffer irreversible brain damage 4 minutes after the cardiac arrest takes place if no CPR. Cardiac arrest is sudden stopping of heart function, resulting in loss of effective circulation (absence of heart beat with lack of blood supply and oxygen eventually leading to death). It includes a TRIAD of unconsciousness/unresponsiveness; loss of normal breathing; loss of pulse and blood pressure. The unpredictable and time-sensitive nature of Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OOHCA) makes it a unique medical emergency. 

The most common cause of OOHCA is cardiac disease, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD) and other structural heart diseases, such as cardiomyopathy.  Only 25% to 30% of patients with OOHCA initially achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and are admitted to the hospital. The outcome of these patients even after admission in hospital remains low due to the damage created to the other organs by the lack of blood supply, at the time of arrest.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai is a pioneer in reviving patients who are brought to the Emergency Room with an OOHCA emergency. The specialists from Apollo Hospitals under the guidance of Dr. Refai Showkathali, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Chennai recently gave a new-lease of life two patients who suffered an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

78 year old man who developed chest pain collapsed on the way to the hospital, on arrival to Apollo Hospitals Emergency Room he was immediately connected to a ventilator and underwent CPR and his hear beat revived. He underwent a special balloon inserted to support the heart pumping. Angiogram showed 100% block in his heart blood vessel and therefore emergency angioplasty was performed to open the blocked vessel under the guidance of Dr. Refai Showkathali. His blockage also was filled with chalk material (“calcification” in medical terms) and has to have special drilling technique called rotablation to help pass the stent. The patient’s heart pumping functions improved slowly over the next few days and was discharged from hospital.

Another gentleman, in his 60’s woke up one morning in June 2018 at home with some giddiness and he went to a clinic to see a doctor, and collapsed in the reception. He underwent resuscitation there immediately and had an ECG done which did not show any major issue. He was shifted immediately to Apollo hospital, he was semiconscious and his BP was extremely low. Therefore his lungs were secured with intubation and he was put on a ventilator. An urgent echocardiogram (heart scan) showed large collection of fluid around the heart and that is putting a lot of pressure on heart (In medical terms, this is called as cardiac tamponade) preventing the heart to pump normally. He was immediately shifted to the cardiac catheter lab to remove the fluid. The procedure was carried by Dr Refai Showkathali, and around 250 ml of fluid was removed from around the heart. Immediately after removing the fluid, the blood pressure started to improve and the heart started to function normally. He was then taken to cardiac intensive care unit for 24 hours and moved to room. The fluid collection was found to be due to his underlying kidney problem. He was discharged from the hospital in few days and he is undergoing regular treatment for his kidney problem.

Discussing the cases Dr Refai Showkathali, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, said, “These 2 cases highlight the importance of timely cardiac intervention for patients who had OOHCA by a team of experts, who are available in the hospital 24/7 in hospitals like Apollo Hospital. In these patients, every minute of delay in intervention can make the outcome worse, as the blood supply to all other organs are provided by the heart. Not only the timely cardiac intervention, but also the holistic care by team of doctors such as Emergency physicians, Intensive care doctors and the nursing care have a huge impact to get successful outcome.

Real progress in OOHCA outcomes may only be achieved by a team of dedicated emergency specialists and Interventional Cardiologist who can lead the management of these patients with the support of other medical team. This has shown remarkable improvement in the survival of these patients in various studies. Timely intervention increases the chances of survival when the patient reaches to specialised healthcare units. We have many examples of these patients who survived OOHCA and walked out of the hospital.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai Performs India’s first VenaSeal

Apollo Hospitals Chennai Performs India’s first VenaSeal procedure to treat Varicose Veins

·         This Medical Superglue can banish Varicose Veins in just half an hour

·         Walk in & Walk Out pain-free procedure now in India for patients suffering from Varicose Veins

 Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s largest and most trusted multi-specialty chain of hospitals became the first centre in India to perform a modern varicose vein removal surgery on Mr.Thanigavelu, 40 using VenaSeal closure system. VenaSeal closure system is a minimally invasive treatment option that permanently treats varicose veins of the legs by sealing the affected superficial veins using an adhesive agent.

There are two types of veins; deep veins and superficial veins, superficial veins are those that are close to the skin. Veins contain one-way valves that open to let blood flow through and then shut to keep blood from flowing backward. When valves of the superficial system are weak or damaged, blood can back up and pool, which can cause varicose veins that are enlarged, swollen or twisted.

More than 190 Million People suffer from Chronic Venous Insufficiency or Varicose Veins Globally, yet the majority remains undiagnosed or untreated. Traditionally, the Stripping Surgery was the only option available for patients with Varicose veins. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and usually needs a week or two for patient’s recovery. Other disadvantages include pain, bruising and unnecessary scarring. Secondly, laser was used to treat and seal varicose veins, this was one of the most effective procedure than stripping but requires multiple injections of local anesthesia until the advent of VenaSeal. The VenaSeal system is intended for patients with superficial varicose veins of the legs that cause symptoms.

Speaking about the procedure Dr.V.Balaji, Senior Consultant vascular surgeon, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, “The two previous methods of permanent varicose vein removal were more invasive, patient recovery was much longer and procedure was uncomfortable this method is a real breakthrough. The minimally invasive procedure does not require general anesthesia and does not affect the functioning of the nearby nerves.”

In this method the vascular surgeon inserts a catheter through the skin into the diseased vein to allow injection of the VenaSeal adhesive, a clear liquid that polymerises into solid material. The health-care professional monitors proper placement of the catheter using ultrasound imaging during delivery of the adhesive into the diseased vein to seal it.

Bringing the technology to India, Dr. Andrew Jones, MD, from Oregon USA, said “Varicose veins often cause no symptoms but some patients may experience mild to moderate pain, blood clots, skin ulcers or other problem. Venaseal has helped many patients suffering from Varicose veins walk in and walk out of his clinic in USA. VenaSeal procedure is shown to be safe and effective, with consistent results across three clinical trials. So far, patients reported minimal to no pain or bruising after the procedure.”

The VenaSeal treatment, however, involves no heat and just one injection. With virtually no down time, patients can return to their normal activities immediately.

Apollo Hospitals Chennai – How we helped a veteran vote!!

 Gifting a new lease of life to a 82 year-old EX Army Major General

Chennai: Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s largest and most trusted multi-specialty chain of hospitals gave a new lease of life to a 82 year-old EX Army Major General Dr. Sathyapalan (A medical doctor from 1955 batch of Stanley Medical college - served 33 years in the Indian Army) who suffered Severe Aortic Stenosis due to surgical valve failure. Dr.Sai Satish, Senior Intervntional Cardiologist and team replaced the damaged heart valve through Trans catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure.

Aortic valve stenosis is a common valvular disease that occurs usually in old age due to wear and tear of aortic valve as well as calcium deposits on the valve’s flaps that narrow the aortic valve opening.  Symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain that, if left untreated, can be life threatening. Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation or Replacement (TAVI or TAVR)  procedure performed under local anesthesia is a best option to treat such complicated cases. In this procedure a thin, flexible tube housing the new collapsed valve is inserted most commonly through the femoral artery and delivered to the heart, replacing the old diseased valve. This procedure is available only in very few centres across in India including Apollo Hospitals.

82 years old EX Army Major General Dr. Sathyapalan was suffering from severe Aortic valve narrowing due to surgical valve failure with miserable quality of life with repeated episodes of pulmonary edema. He was refused any treatment option by multiple centres because of his age, frailty and that it was a degenerated surgical valve now causing the problem. He approached Dr. Sai Satish, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Chennai for further treatment and underwent a Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement procedure.

Explaining the case Dr. Sai Sathish, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Chennai said, “This was an extremely challenging case as the vessels in his leg were severely calcified and narrowed and no valve could be moved across them for replacement. Since the patient did not have any old records or information on the previously implanted surgical valve including its size etc, it was further challenging for us to replace the failed valve with a new one. His age and physical health again stood as a high risk making the procedure very demanding.”

He also added, “The procedure however went extremely smooth, the narrowed leg vessel was first dialated with multiple ballons gently until the space was big enough to accommodate the valve system, the valve was then moved across this and placed safely, inside the old degenerated surgical valve in under 20 mins.”

The patient was shifted back to the CCU fully conscious and then back to the normal ward the very same evening. He got discharged the second day post-surgery and cast his vote for the Lok Sabha Elections.

Apollo First Med Hospitals, Chennai Convenes the 8th Edition of BRACHIALCON 2019

Chennai: Department of Plastic surgery at Apollo First Med Hospital, a part of the Apollo Hospitals group will be hosting the 8th biennial meeting BRACHIALCON 2019 between 29th to 31st March in Chennai. Eminent Brachial plexus experts from USA including Dr.Allen Bishop,Consultant and Group Leader ,Mayo Clinic, USA and  Dr. Roger Cornwall, Clinical Director, Orthopedic Surgeon,  Cincinnati Children's Hospital & Medical Centre, will share their experience and expertise in Brachial plexus Surgery with more than 200 delegates from across the globe during the two-day conference.

Department of Plastic surgery at Apollo First Med Hospital specialises in all kinds of Plastic reconstructive surgeries especially Hand surgeries and Microsurgery. The department is known for treating Brachial Plexus complexities through peripheral microsurgical nerve surgeries especially Brachial plexus surgeries. Brachial plexus are a group of nerves that originate in the cervical spine and crisscross with each other in the neck and go down the arm. Injury to the brachial plexus leads to partial or complete paralysis of the limb.

Tamil Nadu has a distinction of being a state with very high road accident fatalities and many more of them being permanently disabled due to injuries like brachial plexus injuries. Majority of the patients are young adults either college going students or in their early stages of their career. A paralysed dominant hand and arm prevent them to go back to the regular work and studies. Apart from the paralysis, some patients develop severe constant excruciating pain preventing them from even carrying out their daily activities. These patients also suffer from depression and other psychological problems.

In a road traffic accident, Brachial Plexus Injury is often missed or wrongly diagnosed as the accident victims most of the time have other serious injuries to the Brain, Spine and chest.  The focus is more to save the life of the accident victim. An accident victim if diagnosed to have injured brachial plexus, early referral to Reconstructive Plastic Surgeons followed by complex microsurgical nerve reconstruction within 2 to 6 months is crucial for good functional recovery.

Brachial plexus disorders is also caused during childbirth affecting new-borns. Injuries of the brachial plexus may be mild, with only temporary sequelae (a condition caused by an injury), or devastating, leaving the child with a drooping, insensate arm. Severity depends on the number of nerves involved and the degree to which each spine nerve is injured.

Speaking during the conference, Prof. R. Venkataswami, (Head and Senior Consultant), Apollo First Med Hospitals highlighted, “There is lack of awareness regarding brachial plexus injuries and treatment. If the patient is not treated within the golden period of between 3months to 6 months following injury, other secondary procedures will only give to sub optimal results.”

Unlike adults, brachial plexus injury in children affects the growth and development of the limb and usually the affected side is smaller than the opposite side. Elaborating on the Brachial Plexus surgery, Dr. V. Purushothaman, (Senior Consultant Plastic Surgeon) Apollo First Med Hospitals, said, “Unlike other surgeries, recovery from Brachial Plexus surgery takes more time to recover. In accident victims, the recovery of muscles and function is slow and takes at least 2-3 years of dedicated and regular physiotherapy to revive full hand functions.  In Paediatric Brachial Plexus injury when spontaneous recovery in Children is often poor, early surgery within 4-6 months of age is essential for good results. We have seen over 200 Paediatric Brachial Plexus cases in the last 5 years” added

In last few decades, there have been many significant advancements in Brachial plexus management mainly due to better understanding of the nerve growth and newer techniques. Complex newer microsurgical nerve by-pass techniques similar to that of cardiac bypass is possible nowadays, where we can assure near normal recovery in partial injuries of brachial plexus. In complete injuries of brachial plexus the consensus is still evolving regarding the best way to manage these patients, this conference will be a platform for the specialists to share knowledge and discuss further advancements in the treatment.

Mr. Matt Hardy making memorable moments in Chennai

Mr. Matt Hardy making memorable moments in Chennai

PHOTO CAPTION : WWE Star champion – Mr. Matt Hardy making memorable moments with little cancer conquerors at Apollo Cancer Center, Teynampet. Mr. Matt Hardy is seen  interacting & playing with little champions in Chennai.