GMC Anantnag achieves milestone in acute heart attack care

Srinagar, Jan 8: Under the patronage of Principal Prof  Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, the Department of Cardiology at GMC Anantnag on January 5 successfully performed eight primary angioplasties within a 12-hour period (8 am to 8 pm) for heart attack patients with diverse presentations. The average door-to-balloon time was maintained between 15 to 20 minutes, which is approximately 30 minutes faster than international standards.This highlights the development of a robust primary angioplasty program at GMC Anantnag in a short period of time, said a press release.

All procedures were performed via the radial route (through the arm), a preferred method for patient ease and reducing complications. All eight patients, ranging from young to elderly and including high-risk cases, had successful procedures and were discharged the following morning.

The facility is serving a wide geographic area, providing life-saving care to patients not only from Anantnag, but Kulgam, Shopian, Qazigund, Banihal, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Rajouri.

This performance underscores the rapid development of the cardiology program at GMC Anantnag, which recently reached a milestone of more than 2000 procedures in just eight months. The department, led by Dr Syed Maqbool, with the support of other three cardiologists, Dr Shamim Iqbal, Dr Showkat Shah and Dr Shahood Kakroo continues to expand its services to include all advanced procedures for which patients earlier had to travel to Srinagar or outside states.