Department of Cardiology

Overview

The Department of Cardiology at SSSIHMS, Bangalore provides a comprehensive range of services including outpatient, inpatient, and critical care, all offered completely free of charge. Renowned as one of the leading national institutions, it performs an extensive variety of adult and pediatric cardiac interventions.

Clinical Excellence

The department distinguishes itself through state-of-the-art diagnostic and interventional procedures, ensuring a high degree of clinical excellence. A broad spectrum of clinical conditions presents valuable academic exposure to practitioners and trainees. Advanced tests and procedures facilitate accurate diagnosis and inform strategic treatment planning, with particular emphasis on individual attention and customized evaluation for every patient.

Outpatient Services and Interventions

The Outpatient Department (OPD) serves over 50,000 patients annually, offering consultations and diagnostics. The Cardiac Catheterization Lab conducts approximately 2,800 interventional procedures each year

Cathlab based Procedures

• Mitral Valvuloplasty
• Coronary Angioplasty
• Congenital Interventions
• Electrophysiology Studies
• Radiofrequency Ablation
• Pacemaker Implantation
• ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) Implantation
• Device Closure Procedures
• Balloon Valvuloplasty
• Congenital Device Closures
• Arrhythmia Device Implantations

Unique Features

• Physicians can determine diagnostic and treatment plans without concern for the patient’s financial situation, thanks to cross-departmental collaboration with Radiology for Cardiac CT and MRI.
• Advanced noninvasive work in areas such as 3D and 4D echocardiography, including studies on ventricular and atrial strain.
• High numbers of Valvuloplasty procedures, notably mitral valvuloplasty requiring septal puncture.
• Expertise in less common procedures, such as Alcohol septal ablations, VSD and RSoV closures, APW transcatheter closures, TVAR/EVAR and CRT implantations.
• Recognition as a center of excellence for postgraduate and doctoral training in cardiology.
• Patient-care plans grounded in thorough clinical evaluations and supported by advanced investigations, offering exceptional opportunities for professional learning and growth.

Infrastructure

·      Cardiology OPD

• The Cardiology OPD is equipped with two GE Vivid Ultra E95 machines and one Philips EPIC CVx v11 machines with advanced AI Capablities. It also has two GE Marquette Treadmill Stress Systems with Cardiosoft, two Philips Biphasic Defibrillators, a H3 + 7-day Holter Recording and Analysis system, and a Montara Eli 280c digital ECG. All the equipment complies with DICOM standards.

·      Cathlab Facilities

• The Cardiology Department features advanced facilities, including one Siemens Biplane Cathlab equipped with the Sensis Hemolite Hemodynamic system and one Philips FD 10C Monoplane Cathlab, supported by the Xper Cardioflex Hemodynamic system. There is also capacity for future expansion to a total of four Cathlabs. To support electrophysiological procedures, St Jude EPMed systems are available for EP studies. Both Cathlabs are fully equipped with defibrillators, ventilators, and intra-aortic balloon pumps, providing essential support for emergency interventions.
• For advanced interventional cardiology, the department utilizes Rotablator technology and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) systems. Additionally, for complex electrophysiology work, the EnSite Velocity 3D mapping system is implemented to enhance procedural accuracy and outcomes.

·      Cardiac Care Unit

• The Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) comprises 36 beds and is outfitted with state-of-the-art patient monitors, echocardiography and ECG machines, ventilators, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and defibrillators. Portable X-ray imagers and Witt haemodynamic recorders are available for comprehensive pressure monitoring. The CCU is further supported by infusion pumps, ensuring precise management of patient medications and therapies.

Excellence in Academic Achievements and Research

The Cardiology Department at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS), Whitefield, has consistently demonstrated excellence in clinical care, academic contributions, and research. Over the years, the department has earned national and international recognition through numerous awards and impactful publications.

Awards and Recognitions

• DrNB Gold Medals: The department has produced five Gold Medalistsin the DrNB (Diplomate of National Board) Cardiology program, including Dr. Keshav Murthy (2005), Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy (2006), Dr. Rohit Dixit (2012), Dr. Booma S (2017), and Dr. Ravi Kachhela (2018).
• National Awards:

• • Multiple Best Oral Abstracts, Best Posters, and Original Research Awards at CSI (Cardiological Society of India) conferences from 2013 to 2025.
  • Modi Mundi Award for Best Original Study (2018).
  • Professor D.P. Basu Memorial Award for India’s first AI/ML-based risk score for HOCM (2021–2022).
  • Recognition for pioneering scoring systems like PRISM and BASE for PCI and BMV outcomes.

• International Recognition:

• • Presentations at ACC (American College of Cardiology), C3 Summit USA, SCAI USA, and Asian Society of Clinical Cardiology.
  • Fellowship and invited lectures at institutions like Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Asan Medical Centre (Seoul), and Lund Institute (Sweden).

Publications and Research Contributions

• Peer-Reviewed Journals:

• • Heart Rhythm O2 (2022): Collaborative publication with global experts.
  • BMC Health Services Research (2024): Study on travel costs and point-of-care ultrasound.
  • American Heart Journal (2025): Design of the multicenter Dig-RHD trial.
  • Current Opinion in Cardiology (2025): Imaging in cardiac amyloidosis.

• Innovative Research:

• • Development of ML-guided predictive models for congenital heart disease and mitral stenosis.
  • First-in-literature studies on RV-to-PA coupling and C3PW ML method for PTMC outcomes.

Research Activities

The Cardiology Research division actively participates in numerous national clinical trials, collaborating with principal investigators from public-funded institutions such as AIIMS. The department also leads major studies from within the institution, including COLSAI (Colchicine in CAD), SAIMITRA (MRI in mitral regurgitation), and PROMESA (Drug eluting stent for iliac and SFA disease).