Hyderabad: The use of internal mammary artery near the heart rather than those from the leg for coronary bypass surgery is being advocated by cardiothoracic surgeons to improve the lifespan of patients.
In a recent survey carried out in India by Hyderabad-based Dr L. Rao Sajja, it was found that 75 institutions had treated 1,25,000 patients by this method. The system is being advocated as there are many patients below 59 years of age who are coming for bypass surgery. With the United States performing 3,75,000 surgeries, experts state that their results over the last 25 years have shown an improved lifespan.
Dr Sajja, senior cardiac surgeon, said, “The mammary arteries are one centimetre away from the heart. Using this for the procedure is found to aid in dealing with the blocked vessels.”
“Earlier there was a lot of fear of infection of the chest bone. But with advancement in technology it is possible to see the minutest particles and it has shown that there is no infection,” she added.
But internal mammary procedure works on a particular set of patients like those who are diabetic but not on insulin via injections and also whose body mass index is less than 30. This treatment is not recommended for asthmatics, smokers and also obese individuals.
