Maad Ullah, Nadeem Sadiq, Sajid Ali Shah, Amjad Mehmood, Mehboob Sultan, Hajra Akbar.
Practicing paediatric cardiology in resource limited country like Pakistan.
Pak Heart J Jan ;50(4):230-4.

Objective: This study was carried out to document different modifications of standard procedures in order to reduce the cost without compromising the quality of the procedure. Methodology: The department of Paediatric Cardiology at AFIC/NIHD Pakistan is providing medical and surgical treatment to children with congenital and acquired heart disease since 1985. Since the introduction of paediatric cardiology services, it has evolved into advanced interventions. All patients requiring diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterizations from Jan 2011 to Dec 201 were enrolled in the study. A number of local modifications were done during cardiac catheterization and all the modifications were recorded. Result: During these 6 years, the interventions done in catheterization suit at our institution were 45.8% (2730/5957). It included 1106 duct occlusions, 271 pulmonary valve dilations, 699 atrial septal defect closures, 96 VSD Device closure, 42 mitral valve dilations, and 74 others. Most of the diagnostic as well as therapeutic cardiac catheterizations were done under local anesthesia 43%(2562) with deep sedation and saving general anesthesia fee. Conclusion: Modifications of different standard procedures for cardiac catheterization in expert hands may overcome financial hurdles without affecting the outcome.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com