Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) offers a reliable and long-term protection against further heart blockages compared to procedures like stenting. However, many people choose stents to treat a blocked left anterior descending artery because of costs. A CABG procedure is prohibitively expensive in many countries. Are you caught in the same dilemma of CABG vs stenting? Think about getting treated in India. Thousands of international patients travel to the country for bypass surgeries every year, making India a global leader in the CABG procedure.
This article discusses why and how some of the best heart bypass surgery (CABG) hospitals in India are making the country a global destination for heart disease treatments.
What is CABG? When is the CABG performed?
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is a surgical treatment for blockages in arteries. This involves taking healthy blood vessels from another part (typically chest, arm, or leg) of our body and implanting them to create a new pathway to bypass the blocked artery. Unlike angioplasty using stents, bypassing an artery helps avoid further risk of blockage in the vulnerable artery as the blood flows completely through the new pathway. The result is adequate blood flow to heart muscles and lesser chances of angina and heart attack.
When is the CABG performed?
Usually, cardiologists advise CABG for patients with
- Severe blockages in coronary arteries
- Failed or unsuitable angioplasty
- Severe angina or other symptoms
- Damaged heart muscles or dysfunctioning muscles
Why is CABG more expensive compared to angioplasty?
While it provides long-term reliability, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is more expensive than angioplasty, for a variety of reasons. However, many of the best heart bypass surgery (CABG) hospitals in India perform this procedure within costs that are competitive and affordable. These hospitals have placed India at the center-stage of the global map as far as the latest developments in heart treatments are concerned.
The common reasons behind the costs involved in CABG are:
- Surgical complexity
- Costly surgical infrastructure
- Surgery for a longer duration
- Hospital stay for longer duration
- Pre and post-operative care
However, when one compares the health benefits with the costs at some of the best heart bypass surgery hospitals in India, choosing CABG is always a better decision.
Why is India considered a global leader in heart bypass surgery?
In India, the first instance of a bypass surgery was in 1975. Since then, this has become one of the most common types of cardiac-surgical procedures performed in the country. Any of the best heart bypass surgery (CABG) hospitals in India perform thousands of bypass surgeries every year.
The reasons behind the popularity of top Indian heart hospitals among international patients for bypass surgery are as follows:
● A large number of skilled cardiac surgeons
Being a country of a billion-plus population, Indian cardiology hospitals enjoy an enormous base of skilled and experienced heart surgeons. A major component of any heart surgery’s cost are the fees of operating surgeons, anesthetists, OT nurses, and technicians. This part is a lot more affordable in India compared to many other countries.
● The high rate of success of Indian heart surgeons
The number of patients many of the best heart bypass surgery (CABG) hospitals in India treat is quite high compared to top hospitals globally. The ratio of successfully cured patients is also very high. This has helped boost confidence among international as well as local patients.
● The latest diagnostic infrastructure
Top cardiology hospitals in India boast the latest diagnostic and medical imaging infrastructure necessary for any complex heart surgeries. This helps in the accurate prognosis of a condition, performing precision surgeries and fewer post-surgery complications.
● Strong emphasis on international accreditation
Any of the best heart bypass surgery (CABG) hospitals in India strongly emphasize patient safety. As proof of their commitment to quality healthcare, these hospitals have accreditation from NABH or the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. Hospitals providing services to international patients also maintain global accreditations, like JCI (Joint Commission International).
● Govt-aided medical tourism facilities
India is a country with a strong multi-tier public healthcare system catering to millions of domestic patients. The private healthcare industry is equally strong in the country, with hundreds of tertiary care hospitals and treatment facilities. The Government of India and various state governments strongly encourage and support private hospitals to extend their services to patients from different countries.
Best heart bypass surgery (CABG) hospitals in India
A few of the top hospitals offering quality bypass surgeries at affordable costs (as per global standards) are:
- Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai
- Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi
- Manipal Hospitals Dwarka, Delhi
- SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai
Bottomline
Coronary artery bypass grafting, or CABG, is a reliable long-term solution to artery blockage. Treatments at some of the best heart bypass surgery (CABG) hospitals in India are affordable as well. However, timely consultation with cardiologists is also very important. Many of these hospitals offer pre-treatment consultations with some of the best heart bypass surgery (CABG) doctors in India and post-operative care. The quality of facilities on offer is the reason for India’s blossoming popularity as a medical tourism destination for CABG procedures.
