Kauvery Hospital sets new benchmark in high-risk cardiac care

71-year-old high-risk patient with atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia discharged next day

In a significant clinical milestone, Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, has successfully treated a 71-year-old patient with multiple co-morbidities and two potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias using advanced image-guided catheter-based electrophysiological interventions.

The procedure combined high-density 3D electroanatomical mapping with cryoablation and radiofrequency (RF) ablation technologies, highlighting a major advancement in complex cardiac rhythm management.

The patient, who had diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. While atrial fibrillation significantly raises the risk of stroke, ventricular tachycardia can be fatal and had already triggered a life-saving ICD shock in this case.

Given the patient’s age and fragile clinical profile, simultaneous treatment of both arrhythmias posed a major challenge. Such procedures conventionally take up to six hours and often require general anesthesia, intubation, and mechanical ventilation, all of which can increase risk in elderly patients with multiple health conditions.

Using advanced 3D electroanatomical mapping systems, real-time intracardiac navigation, and fluoroscopy-minimizing techniques, the team completed the combined minimally invasive procedure safely within three hours. The intervention was performed through percutaneous femoral vascular access, avoiding surgical incisions and eliminating the need for mechanical ventilation.

The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged the very next day, underscoring the effectiveness of minimally invasive rhythm correction even in high-risk elderly patients.

Dr. Deep Chandh Raja, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Kauvery Hospitals, said, “Innovative technologies such as cryoablation and fast high-density 3D mapping systems allow us to treat complex and high-risk arrhythmias with greater precision and efficiency. Even in elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities, we can now offer definitive rhythm correction with minimal physiological stress and faster recovery.”

Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said the hospital remains committed to bringing global standards of cardiac care to India through advanced technologies, expert clinical teams, and evidence-based treatment protocols, ensuring even highly complex heart rhythm disorders are treated with global precision.