GMC Anantnag performs 177 cardiac procedures within 20 days of cath lab commissioning

Anantnag, May 1: In a significant milestone for healthcare services in south Kashmir, the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has successfully performed 177 cardiac procedures within the first 20 days of commissioning its long-awaited cath lab.

The cath lab became operational on April 11, 2025, and has since witnessed a massive influx of patients suffering from various cardiac emergencies, including myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), arrhythmias, heart blocks, and cardiac tamponades.

According to official figures, the department carried out 101 coronary angiographies, 58 percutaneous coronary interventions (PTCA and stenting), 12 pacemaker implantations, three left bundle branch area (LBBA) pacing procedures, two cardiac resynchronisation therapy pacemaker (CRTP) placements, and two cardiac tamponade drainages.

Head of the Department of Cardiology, Dr Syed Maqbool, said the facility has been overwhelmed with patient flow since day one, with cardiologists working till late evening hours to manage the rush.

Of the 58 angioplasties conducted, 26 were primary angioplasties carried out on patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction, who were immediately shifted to the cath lab upon arrival.

Among the notable cases was a tourist who survived the recent Pahalgam firing incident but suffered a massive heart attack.

He was promptly taken to the cath lab where he underwent life-saving primary angioplasty.

Fifteen patients with complete heart block were implanted with pacemakers, while other cardiac emergencies were managed effectively within the facility.

Notably, no patient had to be referred elsewhere for advanced cardiac care.

The newly established facility has started receiving patients not only from south Kashmir districts but also from far-off areas including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Banihal, and even Jammu city.

There has been no mortality, and all patients were discharged in excellent condition,î Dr Maqbool said.

However, he urged the government to immediately depute additional cardiologists to GMC Anantnag, citing the exponential rise in patient volume and the limited number of specialists currently available.

Dr Maqbool thanked the Principal of GMC Anantnag, Prof Dr Rukhsana Najeeb, for her unwavering support.

ìThis herculean task would have been impossible without her leadership and encouragement,î he said.