Narayana Hrudayalaya has performed a rare cardiac surgery by implanting 'Ventrassist', a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) on a 55 year old patient who had a history of four bypass surgeries.

LVAD is a third generation US FDA and DCGI approved battery operated mechanical pump-type device which can be surgically implanted. The surgical breakthrough was possible after a collaboration and exchange programme between Narayana Hrudayalaya and the University of Minnesota. The hospital is now credited to have performed the first such implant in Asia.

The product was researched by a team of scientists at the University of Minnesota and the technology was transferred to an Australian-based company Ventracor which manufactures Ventrassist.

Ventrassist weighs only 298 grams. It has a patented hydro dynamically suspended impeller and diamond-like carbon coating on blood contacting surfaces with a fully redundant back-up motor drive, controller and processor. There is a cable which exits from the abdominal wall to the outside of the body which is attached to the pump's battery and control system incorporated in a small compact pack that can be carried around making the patient ambulatory. The battery requires three hours of charging and can be used for four hours. When at rest the patient can be connected to the main power line. It can pump 10 litres of blood per minute. Human body volume is 4 to 6 litres of blood and each ventricle pumps 70-90 ml per heart beat.

Ventrassist is designed as an alternative to heart transplantation, explained Dr Devi Shetty, chairman and managing director, Narayana Hrudayalaya. "We are the only group of medical specialists who have perfected the technology and was permitted by the University of Minnesota to perform the procedure here which reinstates Indian medical expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure," he added.

The team of doctors included Dr TR Rajesh, cardiothoracic surgeon and Dr Bagirath R, cardiologist with anaesthetic support from Dr Manohar, Dr John Rajkumar and Dr Jayanth Kumar HS. So far, two patients have been recipients of LVAD.

The LVAD is implanted surgically and is a four-hour long process. It is placed in the lower part of the chest below the heart. The device is the ultimate in destination therapy which means patients can do way with surgeries and drugs related to heart. There will be support medication for hypertension, diabetes and anti coagulants, informed Dr. Bagirath.

LVAD is made of titanium and offers high biocompatibility. It is non toxic, highly resistant to degradation. There is no wear and tear.

The prevalence of cardiac disorders is 20 million in India with 2 million cases adding on very year. So far 655 implant procedures have been carried out globally. Ventrassist has 220 recipients globally. Around 60 implants are carried out in year in the US. Narayana Hrudayalaya can carry out 100 procedures annually. There are several patients including those from abroad who have evinced interest in the undergoing the procedure at our facility.

The hospital plans to promote the offering as part of the medical tourism initiatives. The implant and hospital charges will be Rs 4 lakh and the hospital can waive the latter if patients are willing to pay for the device. Priced at Rs 34 lakh, LVAD carries a 10 per cent custom duty which the hospital is now in discussion with the Union government waive the same, stated Dr Shetty.