Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was 100% right and that unnecessary procedures had become the norm.
Satheesan’s statement at a recent function about avoiding unnecessary angioplasty seems to have stirred a hornets’ nest with many doctors objecting to the “generalised statement,” while some lone voices pointed out that Mr.
Dr. Rajesh, however, made it clear in his post that a person coming into the emergency with a suspected heart attack should in no way distrust the doctor, for the situation may call for an immediate angioplasty. He also explained clearly the situations when one could afford to wait and seek a second opinion, if angioplasty was suggested to a patient. He also cautioned the public against looking at every doctor or hospital with suspicion. “In stable patients, there is usually greater scope for detailed evaluation and for deciding whether medicines, further assessment or intervention would offer the greatest benefit.
Angioplasty should definitely be done when it is clinically indicated and these situations are clearly documented, he said. On Monday, the Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala (ICCK) said in a statement here that public’s apprehension over “unnecessary” medical procedures should not delay life-saving treatment during a heart attack emergency. ICCK president Rajesh T. said that public discussion on angioplasty should clearly differentiate between elective intervention in stable patients and primary angioplasty during an acute heart attack, where treatment is highly time-sensitive. He said the council welcomed any discussion aimed at strengthening evidence-based care, transparency and public confidence in the health-care system. In an acute heart attack, however, delay can have serious consequences,” ICCK said.
