Tech Update

HCG Adds Myocardial Blood Flow for the 1st Time in Asia

HCG is the only hospital in the whole of Asia to have this non-invasive facility

Dr KG Kallur

HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), a chain of cancer care network, recently unveiled the PET Myocardial Blood Flow (MBF) system that offers clinicians a non-invasive method to determine true myocardial blood flow and accurately assess the need for revascularisation procedures such as stenting and bypass surgery.

This is possible due to on-site availability of medical cyclotron and very high-end mCT (molecular CT) which boasts of having 128 slice PET-CT and advanced cardiac software applications such as MBF quantification. HCG claims to be the only hospital in the whole of Asia to have this kind of facility offering MBF.

For HCG, the commissioning of MBF opens an exciting new dimension in quantitative metabolic imaging and also marks its foray into cardiology diagnosis. The MBF provides an absolute measure for blood flosw in the myocardium to assess perfusion that hitherto remained undetected with conventional relative perfusion imaging. This standard single procedure is also fast that takes no longer than 30 minutes and is also very safe and OPD procedure.

Detailing the advantages of MBF System, Dr KG Kallur, Director, Molecular Imaging, HCG, said, "We are the first centre in Asia to offer quantification of MBF for a cardiologist, which is also called as FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve). At present, FFR is done by only few cardiologists in India and it is invasive. At HCG, MBF test is absolutely non-invasive and very safe. MBF test is expected to become a gold standard in evaluating the need for re-vascularisation procedures such as angioplasty, stenting and CABG in indeterminate blocks in the coronary arteries."

As a special gesture, HCG would offer ed this service free of cost to all doctors for a week. According to Dr Ajaikumar, Chairman, HCG, "We have a vision to be at the forefront of technology and introduce revolutionary diagnostic and treatment equipment at our centres. This launch is yet another milestone as we step beyond oncology and foray into cardiology diagnosis."

Further, he added, "With diabetic incidence increasing exponentially in India, the risk of micro vascular disease amongst this group is particularly high and MBF system is the only way to ascertain the hearts’ health."

The launch of PET MBF has been timed just before the 'Doctors Day' as the entire team at HCG, including medical and non-medical staff were keen that cardiologists and physicians from across the city take time out for their own well being and have a reality check of their heart.

EH News Bureau