TRICHY: The department of cardiology at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Trichy has been equipped with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) for treating cardiac patients, said dean Dr K Vanitha.
A team, headed by Dr T Balasubramanian, Dr Jaisankar, Dr Ashok, Dr Suresh, Dr Karthik and Dr Manivel, carried out OCT on four patients and FFR on one patient in the past one month.
Dr Vanitha said the OCT will precisely show us the blockage in the coronary artery with the help of an intravascular camera. The FFR will measure the blood circulation when the block is on. Using the two procedures, doctors can decide whether to go place a stent or perform a bypass surgery.
Stating that the patients can avail of the treatment for free under the chief minister’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (CMCHIS). OCT costs Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh at private hospitals, while the FFR procedures will cost Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000 at private hospitals.
