Happy Doctors Day Dear Colleagues!
I joined my medical studies exactly 22 years ago, on Doctor’s Day, July 1. Exceptional teachers in medicine drove my interest to pursue my postgraduation in internal medicine. While exploring each arena in this field of medicine, I took up cardiology as my specialisation. I started my career as a cardiologist in 2016 after 14 years of medical education. Soon, I realised the need to focus my career on one of the many super-specialities within cardiology. Since my days in internal medicine, ECG (electrocardiogram) has always intrigued me. Diving deeper into this field, I left abroad for higher training and henceforth became a cardiac electrophysiologist. As I practice my expertise in this field, I cannot thank my parents and family enough; their support was crucial to me throughout this journey.
The Inception of Kauvery Heart Rhythm Services at Chennai
It was again on Doctor’s Day – July 1, 2022, that the four cardiac electrophysiologists from Trichy and Chennai came together to launch Kauvery Heart Rhythm Services (KHRS) at Chennai, in the august presence of our Executive Director Dr Aravindan Selvaraj. KHRS had, till then, been active at the Kauvery Heart Institute, Trichy. KHRS was founded with the vision to deliver state-of-the-art heart rhythm services at affordable costs. KHRS was envisaged to spread awareness among the public about heart rhythm problems and the cure for them. Another goal was that of continued development of possible infrastructure to perform the latest procedures available in the field of cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm).
Launch of Kauvery Heart Rhythm Services, Chennai
Scope of Kauvery Heart Rhythm Services
- Outpatient Services:
- ECG, 24-hour and extended HOLTER monitoring
- Tilt-table testing for evaluation of syncope
- Treadmill testing for chronotropic competence
- Advanced echocardiography for assessment of ‘ventricular dys-synchrony’ in heart failure patients
- Day-Care Services:
- Internal loop recorder (ILR) insertion
- Diagnostic cardiac electrophysiology studies (EPS)
- Inpatient Procedural Services at the ‘Hybrid’ Cardiac Catheterisation Lab:
- EPS and radio-frequency ablations (RFA) for supraventricular tachycardias (SVT)
- 3D electro-anatomical mapping for complex heart rhythms like atrial tachyarrhythmias and ventricular tachycardias
- Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (Afib) ablation
- Intracardiac echo (ICE) for complex arrhythmia ablation
- Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC)
- Bradycardia device implantations – pacemakers
- Novel conduction system pacing pacemakers (CSP), leadless pacemakers
- Defibrillator implantation (ICD)
- Devices for heart failure (cardiac resynchronisation therapy – CRT)
- Left bundle branch optimised CRT (LOT-CRT)
- Teaching Activities:
- Center for tutoring and observership for early career electrophysiologists
- Public Awareness:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) awareness
- Equipping the public about cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Educating the public through online and print media regarding heart rhythm problems and their available cure
Procedures Since 2022:
KHRS has crossed 200 EP studies and RF ablation procedures.
- 50+ RFA for atrial fibrillation
- 25+ RFA for ventricular tachycardias
- Endo-epicardial ablation for ventricular tachycardia
- Intracardiac echo (ICE) guided ablations
- 5+ left atrial appendage device closures
KHRS has crossed 150 device implants.
- 50+ conduction system pacemakers
- 50+ complex device implants like leadless pacemakers, ICD and CRT
The Restart Heart Foundation
As a first in KHRS’s flagship activities, the Restart Heart Foundation was established on World Heart Day on September 29, 2022. The then Honourable Director General of Police Thiru Sylendra Babu graced the occasion. The foundation conducts regular campaigns on CPR to the public. Automated external defibrillators (AED) have been installed so far in 5 different strategic locations in Chennai city.
Launch of Restart Heart Foundation and Installation of AEDs at Key Public Places
ECG Masterclass
Over the last two years, KHRS has conducted two ECG Masterclass programs. This teaching program is conducted in the first quarter of each year with the aim of teaching the art of reading electrocardiograms to postgraduate medical students, physicians and paramedical students. The teachers are accomplished faculty in the field belonging to Chennai. The 2023 program was attended by 160 participants. The 2024 ECG Masterclass 2.0 program was attended by 260 participants. Both the programs received the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) continued medical education accreditation.
ECG Masterclass Programs 2023, 2024
Live Cardiac Electrophysiology Workshop
Two live cardiac electrophysiology workshops have been conducted. Fifteen doctors from the country visited the hybrid cath lab at Alwarpet, Chennai. All of them received hands-on training in intracardiac echo (ICE), 3D electro-anatomical mapping and atrial fibrillation ablation. Participant certificates were distributed to all the attendees.
Live Relay of Cases from the Hybrid Cath Lab, Alwarpet, Chennai
International Cardiology Conclave
The first international conference, the Kauvery Cardiology Conclave, was conducted in November 2023. International speakers from Australia Dr Rajeev Pathak and Dr Sugumaran, and Dr Senthil Thambidorai from the USA showcased live complex RF ablation procedures. This was attended by over 200 participants.
International Speakers and Attendees at the Arrhythmia Conclave 2023
Satellite Symposia
Over the last two years, KHRS has conducted three satellite symposia on pacemakers and defibrillators implantation techniques. Each symposium involved focused teaching by cardiac electrophysiology experts to 10-15 young cardiologists.
Early Career and Postgraduate Cardiologists at the Pacemaker & ICD Symposia, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani
Representation at National Conferences
In addition, KHRS has proudly presented cases at the annual conferences of The Indian Heart Rhythm Society, Cardiology Society of India and Tamil Nadu Electrophysiology meetings. We have also published 3 case reports in international cardiac journals.
Conclusion
KHRS is a team of expert cardiac electrophysiologists, physician assistants, and arrhythmia nurses. KHRS earns its biggest support from fellow expert cardiologists at the Heart Institute, who avail the state-of-the-art services. With the continued patronage and vision of Dr Aravindan Selvaraj and Dr Iyappan, KHRS-Chennai vows to expand its services and accomplish more in the coming years in both patient-care and the academic front.
Dr Deep Chandh Raja S,
Lead Cardiac Electrophysiologist,
Kauvery Heart Rhythm Services Chennai
