PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Institute of Cardiology has said it has introduced minimally invasive cardiac surgery to cater to patients who have concerns about major cuts, pain, and large wounds caused by the traditional open surgical procedure.

A team of experts performed the operation on Saturday, according to spokesperson for the PIC Riffat Anjum.

She told reporters that the innovative approach marked a significant advancement in the field of cardiac operation to the benefit of patients.

Ms Anjum said the “groundbreaking” invasive surgery technique at the institute represented a significant stride towards aligning with international treatment standards for heart diseases.

Assistant Professor and lead of the cardiac surgery team Dr Mohammad Tariq said the new surgical approach eliminated the need for a full breastbone incision, which was a common practice in traditional heart surgeries.

PIC doctors say initiative promises less pain, faster recovery

“Compared with open heart surgery, patients undergoing this procedure can expect less pain and discomfort, faster recovery, and small wound scars. This surgery is cosmetically better as well,” he said.

Dr Tariq said minimally invasive cardiac surgery would be employed for a range of heart procedures, including bypass and valve surgeries and surgeries addressing heart defects.

Dr Abdul Nasir, an assistant professor and head of the cardiac surgery department at the PIC, said there was a reduced risk of infection associated with small incision surgery, underscoring “its importance in enhancing patient outcomes.”

He said the PIC was committed to providing people in the country, especially the province, with access to healthcare of international standards.

The department head said the institute had also implemented various cutting-edge and international standard treatment methods for cardiac care, benefiting not only the local population but also residents of other provinces and neighbouring countries like Afghanistan.

“It is a matter of pride for us all,” he said.

PIC medical director Prof Syed Shahkar Ahmad Shah said the institute was the country’s first public sector hospital with “ISO QMS certification,” showing it was the best healthcare centre in the country by international standards.

“We are the first public sector hospital in the country to be ISO 9001-2015 certified in 2022 and maintain ISO standards,” he said.

Prof Shah said the institute, which was inaugurated in Dec 2020, was the province’s first cardiac hospital, providing the best and highest standard of healthcare not only in the province but to all patients in the country.

He said more and more patients were visiting the PIC’s OPD, intensive care unit, cardiac care unit, paediatrics ward, and cardiac rehabilitation department due to the “best medical practices” benefitting people.

The medical director said the expansion of the PIC’s satellite units in other districts of the province was also part of the programme to provide modern services to people in their native districts.

“In view of the growing incidence of heart issues, we need to expand services and impart training to more doctors, nurses, and technicians to ensure timely services to the population,” he said.

Prof Shah said besides offering diagnostic and treatment services, the PIC was also scaling up awareness of the causative agents of cardiac problems to prevent issues.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2024