Dr. Arun Mehra, Excellence in Pediatric Cardiovascular care

 

In an instance of charity, a group of volunteers unite to help save the lives of some of India’s neediest young patients – those with congenital heart defects.

 

It began when Dr. Arun Mehra, Coordinator of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, invited a seven-member team from Stanford University to jointly conduct a six-day workshop on advanced techniques of delicate and complex cardiovascular surgeries on India’s “blue babies.”

 

Once in a lifetime chance

Poor Indian families face long waiting lists, limited resources and high costs in their effort to find specialized surgical treatment.  For many with ‘blue babies’, Dr. Mehra’s special event represented a life-saving opportunity.

 

“We notified healthcare providers throughout the area several weeks prior to this free care event. The response was overwhelming,” recalls Dr. Mehra. “Unfortunately, we could only take the most critical cases.” A total of 16 blue babies were selected based on the severity and urgency of their needs.

 

New technology assists the team

U.S. team member Norman H Silverman, M.D., Director of Pediatric and Echocardiography Laboratory at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, brought along an innovative Philips device – the miniMulti TEE probe.  Paired with Philips' SONOS 7500 ultrasound system, the miniMulti TEE probe produces high-resolution images of delicate and complicated cardiac structures. Its small size and round tip allows for easy insertion down the throat, making it ideal for pediatric patients.  The team used it to help them work more confidently.

 

“When kids get heart operations, we put a transesophageal probe down their gullet so we can see if the repair is done right,” explains Dr. Silverman.  “The Philips mini TEE probe gave us the confidence we needed before, during and after the procedures, leaving no room for doubt. We used it on all 16 babies with great success.”

 

Making History

By all accounts, Dr. Mehra reported the Jaslok event as a success. “Philips has a humane touch. By lending us their miniMulti TEE probe and allowing it to be brought all the way from California - free of cost, they have shown us that they care. As a result of that caring, this was the first time the Philips miniMulti TEE probe was used in Mumbai. We have set a new benchmark in technological application in the city and our staff is now fully trained to use the innovative probe.”

 

Follow-up proves success

One year later, Dr. Mehra invited the babies back for a follow-up exam. “All the patients were clinically examined and 2-D Echo was performed to evaluate the efficacy of repair. Then, we celebrated,” says Dr. Mehra.

 

The entire hospital staff was pleased to see all the babies do so well. They were happy to have provided such life-saving services to India’s youngest citizens.

 

Learn more

 

+ Read the full ‘patient’ story  
+ Physician info on Philips TEE technology 

 

- February 2008

+ More 'Profiles'

 

 

 

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