From correspondents in Karnataka, India, 12:02 PM IST

Continuing its 17 year tradition of meeting the healthcare requirements of the society, the Bangalore Hospital opened its cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab). The state-of-the-art lab is equipped with the fully loaded and completely digital General Electronic manufactured INNOVA, flat panel Catheterization lab equipment. The new installation marks a significant progression in the hospital's cardio department, which will allow highly effective diagnosis of heart ailments and structural heart defects.

On the occasion of the launch, Dr. C Munichoodappa, Managing Director, The Bangalore Hospital said, "Opening of the Cath lab is yet another major development for our hospital, which is always striving to improve the standard of Healthcare. Our hospital has always adopted a compassionate attitude and in no way do we ever compromise in offering the latest medical technology to our patients." Dr. K. S. Shekhar, Chairman, The Bangalore Hospital, added, "The Cath lab in The Bangalore Hospital currently is amongst the most advanced in the city. This new system is expected to play a critical role in helping clinicians treat a growing number of chronic heart and vascular conditions."

Also present during the launch, Mr. Dinesh Lodha, VP, Wipro GE stated- "GE's Innova Flat Panel Cathlab systems are the world's most advanced cardiovascular imaging systems utilizing an all-digital flat panel detector to produce extremely detailed images of the heart. Specifically, the Innova 2100IQ is a state-of-the-art cardiac X-ray system that enables cardiologists to clearly visualize fine vessels from the heart to the legs both during diagnostic procedures and during placement of interventional devices. We are extremely pleased to associate with The Bangalore Hospital where we believe that the full potential of the equipment would be realized."

The Innova is the only flat panel cardiovascular imaging system proven to significantly reduce radiation dose. The typical diagnostic cardiac exam, which usually consists of seven to ten coronary scans, could be reduced to 2 left coronary angiography scans and one coronary spin scan using the "InnovaSpin" technology. This would mean taking fewer images, thereby exposing the physician and patient to lower X-ray radiation dose and also subjecting the patient to less contrast media. It could also produce time economies that speed up life-saving diagnoses and procedures. The system's 20 centimeter-square detector allows a cardiologist to visualize the entire heart in a single view.

The Bangalore hospital was an initiative of about 44 medical specialists. Way back in 1991 they joined hands and started the multi-disciplinary hospital adding a big landmark to medical development in the city. Even today, it is completely run by doctors, sustaining high medical ethics and standard of treatment. The hospital's primary objective is to render specialty and high standard medical care at a reasonable cost to its middle and upper middle class patients, who comprise the majority. The Hospital is equipped with most of the medicine and surgical facilities including super specialties in Cardiology, Cardio Thoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neuro Surgery, Urology and Renal Transplantations, Gastroenterology and Radiotherapy among others.

The hospital has been intensely involved in modernizing various departments and also has extensive future plans for innovation and expansion. Suvidha, a retirement settlement project has been planned for Rs. 45 crore and Rs. 60 crore is being invested in infrastructure expansion including acquisition of neighbouring properties. A super specialty cancer hospital is also on the anvil by The Bangalore Hospital.

In recent times our advanced lifestyle has induced various forms of cardio vascular diseases. Heart disease is no more associated with ageing and it can affect just about anyone. Such is the gravity of the situation in India that the World Health Organization estimates that by year 2010, 60 per cent of the world's cardiac patients will be from India itself. Improvisation of the cardiac department in the Bangalore hospital definitely is an important step taken for the society, which is so prone to cardiac diseases.

Source: Press Release Distribution via India PRwire