Guwahati: Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has introduced advanced catheter-based cardiac interventions for children with congenital heart diseases, marking a first for Assam’s largest public hospital.Over two days, the cardiology department successfully performed multiple complex structural and rhythm-management procedures on patients aged 4 to 15, bringing next-generation cardiac technologies into the public healthcare system.“By utilising these minimally invasive techniques, the department eliminates the need for traditional open-heart surgery. This approach reduces hospital stays to just one or two days, allowing young patients to return to their lives quickly,” said Dr Pranab Jyoti Bhattacharyya, professor of cardiology at GMCH.The team treated conditions, including patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). GMCH also formally introduced conduction system pacing (CSP), an advanced pacemaker strategy that targets the heart’s natural electrical pathways and improves long-term outcomes.The procedures were led by visiting expert Dr Manoj Kr Rohit of PGIMER Chandigarh, alongside GMCH faculty members.“With vital govt funding and infrastructure support, GMCH has truly evolved into a premier tertiary cardiac referral centre,” said Bhattacharyya.“Our core focus remains on combining clinical innovation with public accessibility, ensuring high-end medical technologies are available to all,” he added.
