Public apprehension over unnecessary medical procedures should not delay treatment, say cardiologists in Keralam

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The Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala (ICCK) has said that public apprehension over unnecessary medical procedures should not delay treatment during a heart attack, pointing out that hesitation in an emergency can cost precious time.

Responding to Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s remarks on avoiding unnecessary investigations and angioplasty, the ICCK said it supported evidence-based and ethical medical practice and the principle that every intervention must have a clear clinical indication.

“At the same time, it is important to distinguish an emergency angioplasty performed during an acute heart attack from a planned or elective procedure. When an artery supplying the heart is suddenly blocked, restoring blood flow at the earliest can save heart muscle and, in many cases, save the patient’s life as well,” ICCK president T. Rajesh said. He said that public discussion on angioplasty should therefore clearly differentiate between elective intervention in stable patients and primary angioplasty during an acute heart attack, where treatment is highly time-sensitive.