Dr. Apurv Vaidya - Best Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Vadodara
Who is a cardiothoracic surgeon?
Cardiothoracic surgeons are super specialist surgeons who have been trained extensively for at least three years in art and science of surgery on two of the most vital organs of human body – the heart and the lungs. They are also registered with competent government authorities to practice this branch of medicine legally in India.
How do you become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in India?
Cardiothoracic surgeons have to earn three professional / academic degrees from approved medical institutions to become a qualified cardiothoracic surgeon. It is a long process, no doubt about it.
First degree is MBBS – a basic degree course of five and half years, qualifying them to be called doctors of modern medical system.
Second degree is in branch of General Surgery – where they are trained for three more years about theoretical and practical aspects of surgery on human body. At end of the training they have to clear exams and earn degree of MS or DNB in general surgery.
Dr. Apurv Vaidya
(Specialist Heart and Lung Surgeon)
Third degree is in field of cardiothoracic surgery- as super specialization. Again a surgeon has to undergo a rigorous training for further three years to qualify as cardiothoracic surgeon. At end of the training they have to clear exams and earn degree of MCh or DNB in cardiothoracic surgery. After completion of schooling for twelve years, a person has to study for minimum of further twelve years to earn a coveted and hallowed title of a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Dr. Apurv Vaidya has fulfilled all these academic and statutory requirements with brilliant academic records and practices his chosen branch cardiothoracic surgery for more than 25 years in city of Vadodara.
Areas of Expertise
Heart Surgeries
Our expertise is in high-risk CABG – severe LV dysfunction or diffusely diseased coronaries or both. We also offer all technical variations of this surgery like beating heart CABG, on-pump CABG, minimally invasive CABG, total arterial CABG etc.
Heart valve replacement by mechanical or tissue valve, either by standard surgery or minimally invasive surgery, for single valve or multiple valves. In suitable cases valve can be repaired also by various annuloplasty techniques.
For aneurysm or dissection of ascending aorta – replacement of aortic root along with aortic valve is needed – often in emergency. These are major, difficult but lifesaving surgeries.
Due to minimal symptoms, diagnosis of CHD is missed in a few children with simple heart defects. They often develop symptoms in adult life. After proper investigations and diagnosis these patients can be operated upon to correct the underlying defect.
thickened and narrowed pericardium compresses the heart and results in constrictive pericarditis. Left untreated, this leads to rapid decline in patient’s condition. Surgical removal of pericardium (Pericardiectomy) is needed for relief from this condition.
Tumours or growths within the heart are unusual. Left Atrial Myxoma is the commonest heart tumour. It needs to be removed surgically as early as possible; before it causes embolic stroke or damages the mitral valve or lungs.
Injuries to the heart can be penetrating or blunt. Heart injuries can very rapidly kill the patient. Very few patients with severe heart injuries are lucky enough to reach the hospital in time, undergo successful surgery and survive.
Chest and Lung Surgeries
Surgeries on Lungs, Chest Wall, Mediastinum.
When diagnosed in early stages, patients can benefit from lung surgery. Lobectomy or pneumonectomy can be offered to suitable patients. Few lung tumours are non-cancerous and their surgery gives very satisfactory long-term results.
Lung conditions like lung abscess, bronchiectasis, MDR TB and chronic empyema are often difficult to treat. Surgical removal of infected tissue greatly reduces amount of infection in body. So, antibiotics have better chance to treat these stubborn infections.
Common causes of hemoptysis are various lung infections (including TB) and lung cancer. Severe hemoptysis not controlled by medical mangement needs surgery (sometimes an emergency, lifesaving surgery) to remove the source of bleeding.
Certain troublesome complications occurring in advanced COPD like pneumothorax, persistent lung collapse or bronchopleural fistula can be managed surgically, when prolonged medical management has not been successful.
Lung bullae can rupture and cause pneumothorax – requiring ICD insertion. Some bullae can become very large and compress normal lung tissue, requiring surgical removal of bulla (bullectomy) to relieve compressed normal lung tissue.
Severe chest injuries are usually associated with multiple other injuries. Timely recognition and multi-speciality team approach led by thoracic surgeon improves patient outcome in severe blunt or penetrating chest injuries.
In cases of MDR or XDR TB, surgery may be required when there is severe hemoptysis, suspicion of malignancy, empyema, persistent bronchopleural fistula or intolerance to AKT. Surgery, though difficult, can be lifesaving in such cases.
Rare congenital lung abnormalities like Intralobar Sequestration, Extralobar Sequestration or Bronchogenic Cysts become apparent in adult life. All of these conditions are treatable by timely diagnosis and surgery.
One of the commonest complications of pneumonia is development of empyema. Advanced empyema will need treatment in form of intercostal drainage or decortication. Rare, refractory cases may require thoracoplasty.
A wide variety of tumours can develop in mediastinum. In anterior mediastinum thymomas are common, while in posterior mediastinum neurogenic tumours are common. These conditions require surgeries for diagnosis and treatment.
In cases of severe chest trauma with multiple ribs and/or sternum fractures, often there is chest wall instability. This results in severe hypoxia and ventilator dependence. In such rare cases surgical fixation of these fractures is indicated.
Rarely ribs or sternum are site of infection (usually tuberculosis) and this will need removal of infected bone by surgery. Tumours of ribs are rare and tumours of sternum are even rarer. These tumours require surgical removal and reconstruction of chest wall.
Long term issues after ICD placement like – non expanding lung, bronchopleural fistula, persistent pus discharge, loosening of ICD tube, ulcer at ICD insertion site etc. are bothersome and often require second opinion and some help from a thoracic surgeon.
Second opinion after Angiography
Review (Second Opinion) of Coronary Angiography to Decide the need.
Review (Second Opinion) after Coronary Angiography to decide further management- CABG vs Angioplasty vs Medical Management. This reassures the patient that the treatment option chosen is correct and nothing important is being missed out.
