- Sunday Special
- Chandigarh, April 5
Britain-based cardiologist and electrophysiologist Prof Dhiraj Gupta is currently on an Indian tour performing complex atrial fibrillation (AF) procedures while training local cardiologists during live cases. After initiating the programme at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research here, Prof Gupta completed a structured AF ablation workshop in Ahmedabad on March 31 and April 1, and has now moved to Mumbai, where he is undertaking complex electrophysiology procedures at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, without charging patients or the hospital.
The initiative marks a clear shift from conventional practice, with procedures that are either not available in most parts of India or, if so, available at high cost, now being carried out at low cost, while local specialists are simultaneously trained to perform them independently. “Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder affecting millions of people. It can be treated successfully by a procedure called Catheter ablation. I have developed a low-cost single catheter ablation technique, thereby allowing this treatment to reach more patients. I am performing ablation procedures and using the opportunity to train local cardiologists in this technique,” Prof Gupta said, emphasising “structured training alongside live cases”. Unlike standard visiting-surgeon programmes, local cardiologists are actively participating in the procedures, gaining hands-on experience in advanced AF ablation and related interventions.