Cathlab opens at Olive hospital

HYDERABAD: The Olive hospitals in Mehdipatnam now boasts of a new hi-tech cathlab with a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) machine. Set up after being in the pipeline for three months, the cathlab is a new addition to the hospital, with a 20-bed recuperation facility. The lab which will be spearheaded by Dr Sampath Kumar, has a three man cardiologist team working specifically at the lab, including Dr Sharath Reddy and Dr Krishna Prasad.Speaking at the inauguration of the lab, Dr Reddy said, “We’ve got the DSA machine here which will make procedures easier and safer. The needle’s diameter is extremely narrow, making the operation very non-intrusive and barely leaving a scar. The new technology also means that we will cut down on the contrast chemical that we use during the angiogram to track the blocks; the chemical is known to have degenerative side-effects to the renal (kidney) system and other organs.” Further adding, Dr Kumar said, “The time frame will also be cut down by about 50 per cent. Any procedure will now take place under an hour’s time. Cost of operation will range from `80,000 and upwards. It really depends on the procedure. But we’re trying to make them cheaper and more accessible to people.”Talking about the logistical side, Dr Ravindrnath Tagore, the chief operating officer said, “Dr Sharath Reddy came on board recently. He’s someone we’ve known for a while and were glad to have him. The entire project took about three months, costing about `2.5 crores. The machine has been bought from the German company Siemens, which itself costed around `2.3 crores.”