Latest update April 10th, 2025 12:07 AM
Feb 17, 2010 News
…undergoes successful procedure at CHI
The credibility of the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) may have further mounted yesterday with the successful completion of another angioplasty operation. Under the guidance of Dr Pratik Soni, owner of CNS TV Channel Six, Chandra Narine Sharma, was the latest client to undergo the intricate heart procedure.
According to reports reaching this newspaper Sharma had visited the facility on Monday claiming to have symptoms of heavy breathing. Having recognised that his condition could have been related to a heart condition, he was advised to undergo an angiography. An angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins and the heart chambers. This is traditionally done by injecting a radio-opaque contrast agent into the blood vessel and imaging using x-ray based techniques such as fluoroscopy. The film or image of the blood vessels is called an angiograph, or more commonly, an angiogram.
Though initially reluctant to accept further attention from the local facility, Sharma, who is a diabetic, was eventually persuaded to return to the hospital yesterday where an angiography was undertaken yesterday morning.
It was discovered that a stent that was implanted in his heart some four years ago in the United States had become critically blocked causing constant palpitation. As such an angioplasty was recommended, a procedure which was completed by early afternoon.
Angioplasty is a procedure used to open blocked or narrowed coronary (heart) arteries. The procedure improves blood flow to the heart muscle.
In addition to completing the angioplasty with a balloon cutting, the expert doctor was also required to implant a stent within the stent already existing in Sharma’s heart.
A stent is a wire metal mesh tube used to prop open an artery during angioplasty. The stent is collapsed to a small diameter and put over a balloon catheter. It is then moved into the area of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands, locks in place and forms a scaffold. This holds the artery open. The stent stays in the artery permanently, holds it open, improves blood flow to the heart muscle and relieves symptoms (usually chest pain). Within a few weeks of the time the stent was placed, the inside lining of the artery grows over the metal surface of the stent.
Sharma up to late yesterday was resting comfortably at CHI and once his condition remains stable he should be discharged no later than tomorrow.
Since Dr Soni, an Interventional Cardiologist, started operating at CHI fulltime he has completed 35 angiograms and angioplasties successfully.
The ability to offer an immediate response to cardiac emergencies around the clock became possible even in the absence of Dr Gary Stephens, CHI’s Chief Executive Office and Cardiac Surgeon. The Interventional Cardiologist, according to Dr Stephens, is fully qualified in his field and has been practicing cardiology over the past 10 years. Previously CHI, through government’s collaboration with the Chinese government, was able to temporarily provide an Interventional Cardiologist.
However, Dr Soni, an Indian National who is recognised as a reputable Consultant Cardiologists has opted to migrate here with his family at the request of Dr Stephens in the quest to improve the capabilities of the local heart institute.
Apr 09, 2025
2025 GCB Female T20 inter-county tournament Kaieteur Sports – It was a stroll to victory for the Berbice women who destroyed Demerara by 8 wickets yesterday when action in the GCB senior T20...Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- By the time I reached the fourth cup of chamomile tea—don’t judge me, it’s calming—I... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]