Cardiologists from CARE Hospitals Record Major Breakthrough

Uses new technique to diagnose Cardiac Sarcoidosis, a heart condition that can result in heart failure thus preventing Implantation of Permanent Pacemaker.

A team of E P Cardiologists, Hyderabad led by Dr. C. Narasimhan, Head E P Cardiology team, CARE Hospitals, conducted a clinical research using a new technique that reduces the uncertainty in diagnosing Cardiac Sarcoidosis, a heart condition that can result in heart failure.

The team successfully used an emerging technology of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan that may influence the current practice of implanting a permanent Pacemaker to treat slowing or degeneration of heart rhythm. The natural cardiac rhythm results from a very intricate electrical conduction system inside the heart.

The groundbreaking scientific breakthrough was published in the renowned Cardiology Journal, ‘Heart Rhythm’.

“Using advanced PET Scan we have found that distribution of electrical conduction of the heart in a significant fraction of patients is caused by treatable inflammatory conditions like Cardiac Sarcoidosis, and more importantly tuberculosis” said Dr. C. Narasimhan who is also the corresponding author on this study which was based on a research paper by CARE Group of Hospitals’ team of cardiologists published in the Heart Rhythm Journal.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that attacks multiple organs, particularly the lungs and lymph nodes. While Pulmonary Fibrosis is the number-one cause of death among sarcoidosis patients, sarcoidosis that affects the heart is the second. “But diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis is very difficult and these conditions if gone undetected, lead to complications like heart failure and sudden death significantly adding to morbidity and mortality. Hence early detection and treatment of the same can improve cardiac outcomes” adds Dr. C. Narasimhan.

Talking about this groundbreaking discovery, he says, “The research paper Publication in the esteemed “Heart Rhythm” journal proves the clinical importance of this research. Statistics shows that only 15% of quality research papers submitted to this journal from across the world is accepted for publication.” This research could trigger a paradigm change in the treatment of patients with Cardiac Sarcoidosis, Atrioventricular Conduction Block (AVB), slow or degenerating heart rhythm. Permanent pacemaker implantation is the standard treatment in such cases. However, this clinical research may influence the current practice in this area.