The Person You Do Not Know Who Keeps You Safe Throughout 

When patients and families think about heart surgery at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, they think about the cardiac surgeon. Understandably so — the surgeon is the visible face of the procedure. But throughout every cardiac operation, there is another specialist whose continuous attention keeps the patient safe from the moment anaesthesia begins to the moment they are stable in the cardiac ICU. 

That specialist is me — the cardiac anaesthetist. 

My role begins well before the patient enters the operating theatre and continues until they are safely settled in the ICU. I want to explain what anaesthesia for cardiac surgery involves, because it is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the entire experience — and understanding it, I believe, reduces the fear around it significantly. 

The Pre-Operative Assessment — Why We Ask So Many Questions 

In the days before cardiac surgery, I will meet with the patient for a pre-operative assessment. This meeting is not a formality. It is a detailed review of the patient’s overall health — beyond the heart condition that necessitates surgery — to understand all the factors that will influence how I manage the anaesthesia. 

I want to know about previous anaesthetic experiences — any difficulties intubating, any allergies, any post-operative nausea problems. I want to know about kidney function, lung function, liver health, and any neurological conditions. I want to know what medications the patient takes and which need to be continued through the day of surgery and which should be held. 

For cardiac surgery specifically, I want to understand the exact nature of the heart problem, the planned surgical approach, and whether cardiopulmonary bypass — the heart-lung machine — will be used. All of this informs my anaesthetic plan, which is tailored to each individual patient, not a standard protocol applied to everyone. 

Patients and families are always welcome to ask questions during this assessment. The more the patient understands about what will happen — including the anaesthesia — the more settled they feel going into surgery. 

The Day of Surgery — Step by Step 

On the day of surgery, the patient is taken to the anaesthetic room adjacent to the operating theatre, where premedication is administered to help relieve anxiety and provide pain relief. The patient is then shifted to the operating theatre, where all necessary monitoring lines are placed and then induction of anaesthesia started. 

Induction — going to sleep — is done with intravenous drugs delivered through a cannula in the arm. The process is smooth and quick. Most patients describe feeling a warmth spreading up the arm, and then simply being in the recovery room with no awareness of anything in between. 

Once the patient is asleep, I place a breathing tube, insert the monitoring lines needed for cardiac surgery (arterial line for beat-by-beat blood pressure, central venous line, pulmonary artery catheter or TOE — a heart ultrasound probe — to monitor heart function throughout), and prepare for the surgical phase. 

Throughout the operation, I continuously monitor blood pressure, heart rate, rhythm, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, depth of anaesthesia, temperature, blood clotting, blood cell counts, and cardiac function. I manage blood transfusion, temperature control, and fluid balance. If the heart is stopped for valve surgery or bypass, I manage the transition to and from the cardiopulmonary bypass machine in coordination with the perfusionist. 

The Cardiopulmonary Bypass Machine — What It Does and Why It Is Safe 

For operations where the heart needs to be stopped — certain valve operations and some bypass procedures — a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass or CPB) takes over the function of both organs. It pumps blood around the body and oxygenates it, while the surgical field is still and bloodless. 

Many patients are anxious about the heart being stopped. I want to reassure them: the transition to bypass is carefully managed, the machine replicates the heart’s pumping function extremely well, and the heart is restarted at the appropriate stage of surgery. This process is standard in cardiac surgery, performed many thousands of times every year, and the safety record is excellent at experienced centres. 

Modern cardiopulmonary bypass uses sophisticated technology — membrane oxygenators, centrifugal pumps, heat exchangers for temperature control, and cell salvage systems that reduce the need for blood transfusion. At EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, our perfusion team — who operate the bypass machine — are trained specialists with extensive cardiac surgery experience. 

After Surgery — The Journey to Recovery 

After surgery is complete, the patient is transferred to the cardiac ICU with monitoring in place. My role continues in the immediate post-operative period — managing the transition from the anaesthetic, ensuring haemodynamic stability, managing pain, and coordinating with the ICU team for the patient’s first night. 

The breathing tube is removed — extubated — once the patient is awake, following commands, and breathing adequately on their own. Once the tube is out, the patient can speak and is much more alert and present for their family. 

I am available throughout the post-operative period for questions and concerns. The relationship I form with patients and families in the lead-up to cardiac surgery extends through the procedure and into recovery. My goal, and the goal of everyone at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, is that every patient goes home with their heart problem corrected, their recovery smooth, and their experience of the surgical journey as positive as it can be. 

Common Questions Patients Ask 

Will I feel anything during cardiac surgery? 

No. General anaesthesia for cardiac surgery produces complete unconsciousness and the absence of any awareness or sensation throughout the procedure. The monitoring systems I use include depth-of-anaesthesia monitoring to ensure this consistently. 

Is it dangerous to have anaesthesia with a weak heart? 

Cardiac anaesthesia specifically accounts for a weakened heart. The drugs used, the monitoring intensity, and the support systems available are all calibrated for patients with cardiac conditions. A cardiac anaesthetist — as distinct from a general anaesthetist — has specific training in managing exactly these situations safely. 

What if I have allergies to anaesthetic drugs? 

Please tell me about any allergies during the pre-operative assessment. I will review your drug allergy history carefully and plan the anaesthetic to avoid any agents that pose a risk. If you have had an anaesthetic reaction in the past, please bring documentation to the pre-operative meeting. 

Will I feel nauseated after cardiac surgery? 

Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common after any general anaesthesia, and I take steps to prevent it — using anti-emetic medications at induction and choosing anaesthetic techniques that reduce PONV risk. Most patients manage well with the prevention strategies in place. 

Can I meet the cardiac anaesthetist before surgery? 

Yes — the pre-operative assessment is specifically designed for this meeting. Please use it to ask every question you have about the anaesthesia. Understanding what will happen reduces anxiety, and that is valuable for your wellbeing going into surgery. At EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, family members are welcome to join the pre-operative discussion. 

The Valve Question That Changes Everything 

When a patient comes to me at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, with a significant heart valve problem, one of the most important conversations we have is about what kind of surgery is best — repair or replacement. Many patients assume that replacement is always the answer, because it sounds more complete, more definitive. But in cardiothoracic surgery, valve repair — when it is possible — is almost always the preferred approach for the right patient with the right valve condition. 

Because it preserves natural valve leaflet tissue, thus avoiding the problem of prosthetic valves, namely stuck valve and structural valve degeneration, and problem of anticoagulation medicines, namely bleeding tendency & fetal tumors. 

Heart valves are elegant structures. The mitral valve, which separates the left upper and lower chambers of the heart, has leaflets and supporting structures that work together like a precisely calibrated door. When it malfunctions due to degeneration or prolapse, a skilled surgeon can often reconstruct those structures rather than replacing the valve entirely — and the result is a valve that functions durably with the heart’s own tissue, without the lifelong anticoagulation that most mechanical valves require. Female patients expecting to undergo future pregnancy are one of the typical examples who benefit the most by valve repair. 

This is not always possible. Some valves are too damaged, too calcified, or have failed in ways that cannot be repaired. That is when replacement — with either a mechanical valve or a biological tissue valve — becomes the right answer. The choice between repair and replacement, and between valve types when replacement is needed, is one I discuss in detail with every patient. 

Understanding Your Valve Problem 

The heart has four valves — the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary — each controlling blood flow between chambers or out of the heart. Valve disease means one of these is either too narrow (stenosis — restricting blood flow) or too leaky (regurgitation — allowing blood to flow backwards when it should not). 

The most common valve problems I see in Ahmedabad are aortic stenosis — the aortic valve narrowing due to calcium accumulation, typically in patients over sixty — and mitral regurgitation, where the mitral valve leaks. Both can be asymptomatic for years before the heart begins to struggle. 

An echocardiogram — a heart ultrasound — is the essential investigation for valve disease. It tells us the valve’s anatomy, how severely it is affected, and most importantly, what impact it is having on the heart’s function. I look at the echocardiogram carefully with every patient — it tells us whether surgery is needed now, soon, or not yet. 

Mechanical Valve vs Tissue Valve — The Trade-Off Every Patient Deserves to Understand 

When valve replacement is the right treatment, patients face a choice between two types of replacement valves. Mechanical valves — made of durable synthetic materials — last a lifetime, but require lifelong anticoagulation with warfarin to prevent blood clots forming on the valve surface. This means regular blood tests to ensure the warfarin dose is in the right range, and careful management if surgery or procedures are needed in future. 

Tissue valves — made from animal tissue (typically bovine pericardium or porcine aortic valve) — do not generally require long-term anticoagulation, but they are not as durable as mechanical valves. In younger patients, a tissue valve may need to be replaced after fifteen to twenty years. In older patients, the tissue valve often outlasts the patient’s natural lifespan. 

I do not have a blanket recommendation for one over the other. The right choice depends on the patient’s age, their lifestyle, whether they are likely to manage anticoagulation reliably, and their preference after understanding the trade-offs clearly. In my clinic at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, I present both options with equal honesty and let the patient be part of that decision. 

Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery — A Growing Option 

Traditional valve surgery involves a full sternotomy — the breast bone is divided to access the heart. This is still the standard approach for complex or combined procedures, and it is associated with excellent outcomes. But for appropriate patients, minimally invasive approaches allow valve surgery through smaller incisions — a partial sternotomy, or in some cases a right thoracotomy — that reduce blood loss, shorten hospital stay, speed up recovery and give cosmetic appearance as an advantage especially for young patients. 

These approaches require specific surgical experience and are appropriate for selected patients. In carefully selected cases at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, we offer minimally invasive mitral and aortic valve surgery. The decision to use a minimally invasive approach is based on the valve condition, the patient’s anatomy, and whether the procedure’s complexity is manageable through a smaller access. 

Recovery and Long-Term Outlook 

As in case of any other disease, the recovery and long-term outcome is affected by the severity of the disease at which patient seeks treatment/ surgery, and the expertise of the surgical team. 

Most patients are surprised by how well they recover from valve surgery. With modern ERAS protocols, patients are typically sitting up within twenty-four hours, walking by day two or three, and discharged within seven to ten days. The sternotomy heals fully in six to eight weeks — during which time heavy weight lifting is restricted and driving is not advised. 

By three months, most patients have returned to full activity. Many describe feeling better than they have in years — because the valve problem that was silently straining the heart for years has been corrected, and the heart can now do its job efficiently again. 

Long-term follow-up with regular echocardiography is part of our valve surgery programme at EPIC Hospital Ahmedabad. For patients with tissue valves, we monitor the valve’s durability over time. For patients on warfarin after mechanical valve replacement, regular INR monitoring is coordinated with their local physician. 

Common Questions Patients Ask 

How do I know if my heart valve problem needs surgery? 

Surgery is typically indicated when a valve problem becomes severe enough to cause symptoms — breathlessness, chest tightness, dizziness, reduced exercise tolerance — or when the heart’s structure or function is being affected even without symptoms. An echocardiogram interpreted by a cardiac specialist at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, gives the clearest picture of whether and when surgery is needed. 

Is valve surgery done under general anaesthesia? 

Yes. Valve surgery is performed under general anaesthesia with full cardiopulmonary bypass support in most cases. You will be completely unaware throughout the procedure. 

What is the difference between valve repair and valve replacement? 

Valve repair reconstructs the existing valve using the patient’s own tissue — preferred when possible because it avoids artificial valve complications, preserves natural heart function & avoids complications of anticoagulant medicines. Valve replacement removes the damaged valve and inserts either a mechanical or tissue prosthesis. I assess every patient individually to determine which approach is best for their specific valve condition. 

Will I need to take blood thinners after valve surgery? 

This depends on the valve type. Mechanical valve replacements require lifelong anticoagulation with warfarin. Tissue valves generally do not — aspirin alone is usually sufficient. Valve repair also typically does not require long-term anticoagulation. I discuss this in detail with every patient before surgery. 

Is valve surgery available at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital Ahmedabad? 

Yes. EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, performs the full range of valve surgery — mitral repair and replacement, aortic valve repair and replacement (surgical and TAVAR), combined procedures & minimally invasive valve surgeries. Our cardiac surgical programme has an experienced team with a strong track record across all valve procedures. 

Valve Replacement Surgery in Ahmedabad — Choosing the Right Valve for Your Life

When a heart valve is too damaged to be repaired — because of severe calcification, extensive scarring from rheumatic fever, or structural failure beyond what surgery can reconstruct — valve replacement becomes the treatment that restores the heart to proper function.

Valve replacement surgery in Ahmedabad at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital is one of our most frequently performed and most refined cardiac procedures. But what makes it genuinely good medicine is not just the technical execution — it is the conversation that happens beforehand, when the right valve type is chosen specifically for your age, your lifestyle, and your long-term situation.

When Is Valve Replacement the Right Answer?

Repair is almost always tried first. Our cardiac surgeons push hard to reconstruct a valve rather than replace it when the anatomy allows — because your own tissue performs better than any prosthetic. But some valves cannot be repaired safely or durably, and in those situations, replacement is the right decision.

• Severely calcified aortic valve: A heavily calcified aortic valve cannot be repaired — the calcium is structural. Replacement, either surgical or through TAVI, is the only option once it becomes severely narrowed.
• Severely damaged mitral valve beyond repair: Extensive rheumatic damage, significant leaflet destruction from infection, or failed previous repair — when reconstruction is not feasible, replacement is the path forward.
• Failed prosthetic valve: A prosthetic valve implanted years earlier that has worn out or developed a problem requires redo valve replacement surgery. These reoperations are more complex, and our team has specific experience with them.
• Multi-valve disease: Two or even three valves affected by rheumatic disease — still very common in Gujarat. Careful surgical planning balances which valves to replace against operative time and risk.

Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve — The Decision That Affects Your Life Long-Term

This is the most important conversation in valve replacement, and it deserves more than a quick recommendation.

A mechanical valve is made from carbon and metal. It can last a lifetime — which makes it attractive for younger patients who want to avoid a redo operation in 15 to 20 years. The trade-off is lifelong warfarin — a blood thinner that needs regular monitoring, careful dietary awareness, and carries a small but real bleeding risk. In Gujarat, managing warfarin requires genuine patient commitment and consistent follow-up.

A tissue valve is made from biological material — usually bovine or porcine pericardium. It does not require long-term blood thinners for most patients, which means a more normal daily life. But it degrades over time — typically lasting 10 to 20 years before a redo procedure becomes necessary. For a 75-year-old, that may never become an issue. For a 45-year-old, it means planning for a second operation.

For elderly patients or those with other conditions that make open surgery high-risk, TAVI — transcatheter aortic valve implantation, delivered through a catheter without opening the chest — is available at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad for suitable cases.

Valve Replacement Surgery at EPIC Hospital — What Recovery Looks Like

A single valve replacement typically takes 3 to 4 hours in the operating theatre. Most patients spend 1 to 2 days in our cardiac ICU and a further 4 to 6 days in the cardiac ward before going home. The sternum takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal fully, which is the main limiting factor for physical activity in the early weeks.

Driving, lifting, and strenuous activity are restricted during this healing period. Light daily activity resumes quickly — most patients are walking the ward within the first week. Cardiac rehabilitation begins before discharge and continues as an outpatient programme.

Valve Replacement Surgery in Ahmedabad — Questions Patients Ask

How long does a replaced heart valve last?

Mechanical valves can last a lifetime. Tissue valves typically last 10 to 20 years before re-intervention may be needed. The right choice depends on your age and lifestyle — your surgeon at EPIC Hospital will explain the specific recommendation for your situation.

Will I need blood thinners after valve replacement?

If you receive a mechanical valve, yes — lifelong warfarin is required. For a tissue valve, most patients need it for 3 months only. TAVI patients typically receive antiplatelet medication. Your cardiologist will manage your post-surgical medication regime.

Is TAVI available at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad as an alternative to open surgery?

Yes. TAVI is available for suitable patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered high surgical risk. Suitability is assessed jointly by our interventional cardiologist and cardiac surgeon.

Can elderly patients safely have valve replacement surgery?

Age alone is not the deciding factor — overall health and fitness for surgery is. Many patients in their 70s and 80s have excellent outcomes from valve replacement. For those not fit for open surgery, TAVI provides a genuine alternative. We assess each patient individually.

Valve Replacement in Ahmedabad — Done Carefully, Every Time

Valve replacement surgery in Ahmedabad at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital means a team that has done this hundreds of times, a thorough conversation about the right valve for your life, and support from surgery through to full recovery.

Book a surgical consultation online, call our cardiac surgery team today, WhatsApp your echocardiography report for an initial assessment, or visit EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad — and let’s plan this together.

The Best Heart Bypass Surgery in Ahmedabad – What It Takes to Do It Right

Bypass surgery is one of those procedures that sounds simple when described briefly – create a new route for blood to flow around a blocked artery – but is anything but simple in practice. The decisions made before, during, and after that operation have a direct effect on how long the bypass lasts, how well the heart recovers, and how much of your normal life returns afterward.

The best heart bypass surgery in Ahmedabad at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital is built on three things: surgeons who do this regularly, arterial grafting as standard practice rather than an optional extra, and a team – not just a surgeon – that is matched in quality at every step.

Who Needs Bypass Surgery – and Who Benefits Most

• Triple vessel disease: When all three major coronary arteries are significantly narrowed, bypass surgery consistently outperforms stenting for long-term outcomes – particularly at 5 and 10-year follow-up. For these patients, bypass at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad is genuinely the better long-term answer.
• Left main coronary artery disease: The left main artery supplies the majority of the heart muscle. Significant narrowing here is one of the strongest indications for bypass surgery rather than angioplasty.
• Diabetes with multi-vessel disease: Multiple large trials have shown that diabetic patients with multi-vessel coronary disease do significantly better with bypass than with stenting over the long term. This is not a grey area – it is well-established evidence.
• Complex anatomy unsuitable for stenting: Not every blockage can be safely or durably stented. Where anatomy makes angioplasty technically difficult or likely to fail early, bypass gives better long-term results.
• Failed or failing stents: Patients with in-stent restenosis that has not responded to repeat angioplasty are often better served by surgical revascularisation.

Why the Graft Material Matters – and Why We Use Arterial Grafts

Here is something that most patients never think to ask – and that can make a significant difference to how long their bypass surgery lasts. The blood vessel used to create the bypass graft is not all the same.

Vein grafts taken from the leg are effective in the short term. But within 10 years, data consistently shows that 40 to 50 percent of vein grafts develop significant disease and may fail. The patient returns with blocked grafts and needs further treatment.

Arterial grafts – particularly the internal mammary artery from the chest wall – perform dramatically better. The left internal mammary artery, when used to bypass the most critical coronary vessel, has a patency rate exceeding 95 percent at 10 years. Using both internal mammary arteries – a technique called BIMA grafting – improves long-term results further, particularly in younger patients.

At EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad, arterial grafting is our standard approach for eligible patients – not an upgrade. If you are being considered for bypass surgery anywhere, ask specifically what conduit will be used for each graft, and why.

Off-Pump Bypass – When the Heart Keeps Beating During Surgery

Traditional bypass surgery stops the heart and uses a heart-lung machine. Off-pump surgery – also called beating heart bypass – allows the surgeon to operate while the heart continues beating, without connecting to the bypass machine. It reduces certain risks, particularly neurological complications in elderly patients or those with significant aortic calcification.

At EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad, our surgeons are proficient in both techniques and choose based on your specific anatomy, age, and risk profile – not a preference for one approach regardless of the patient.

Best Heart Bypass Surgery in Ahmedabad – Questions Answered Honestly

Is bypass surgery or angioplasty better for my blocked arteries?

It depends on your specific coronary anatomy, the number of vessels affected, and whether you have diabetes. For single-vessel disease in a non-diabetic patient, angioplasty is often very appropriate. For multi-vessel disease with diabetes or left main involvement, bypass surgery usually gives better long-term outcomes. Your cardiologist and cardiac surgeon should review your angiography together and give you a joint recommendation.

How long does bypass surgery recovery take in Ahmedabad?

Most patients are discharged 5 to 7 days after bypass surgery. Light activity begins within the first 2 weeks. The sternum heals at 6 weeks, at which point driving typically becomes possible. Full return to work depends on your occupation – desk work at 6 weeks, physical work at 10 to 12 weeks. Cardiac rehabilitation significantly accelerates the overall recovery timeline.

What are the risks of bypass surgery and how does EPIC Hospital manage them?

For elective, standard-risk bypass surgery, operative mortality is typically below 2 percent. Main risks include bleeding, infection, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and kidney stress. Our pre-operative workup, intraoperative monitoring, and ICU care are specifically structured to identify and manage each of these. Your surgeon will calculate your personal risk score before the operation.

Can I request that arterial grafts be used in my bypass surgery at EPIC Hospital?

You can and should ask about this. At EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad, arterial grafting is already our standard practice for eligible patients. Your surgeon will explain the specific graft strategy planned for your case and the reasoning behind it.

Best Heart Bypass Surgery in Ahmedabad – Done With the Care It Deserves

Bypass surgery at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital in Ahmedabad means the right technique, the right grafts, and a team that treats every case with the seriousness it requires – not a routine operation done on autopilot.

Book your surgical consultation online, call our bypass surgery team today, WhatsApp your coronary angiography for an initial review, or visit EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad – and get bypass surgery done properly.

Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon in Ahmedabad – Heart, Lung, and Chest Surgery at EPIC Hospital

Cardiovascular and thoracic surgery is one of the broadest and most technically demanding surgical specialties there is. A cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon in Ahmedabad operates on the heart, the major blood vessels, the lungs, the food pipe, and the chest wall – structures that the body cannot function without, even for a short time.

This is not a specialty for the generalist. And at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, our cardiothoracic surgical team brings genuine subspecialty depth to both the cardiac and thoracic sides of this specialty – with the experience to handle complex cases and the honesty to explain every option clearly before any decision is made.

What a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon Treats

• Heart surgery: Coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, and congenital heart defect repair – the full range of cardiac surgical procedures.
• Lung surgery: Removal of lung tumours, treatment of recurrent lung collapse, surgery for emphysema, and procedures for infection in the lung lining. Lung cancer surgery in particular is an area where a thoracic surgeon’s specialised knowledge of lung anatomy and function changes outcomes significantly.
• Oesophageal surgery: Removal of part of the food pipe for cancer or severe disease – a major operation that requires specific thoracic expertise. Access to a surgeon experienced in oesophageal work at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad makes a real difference to outcomes.
• Mediastinal surgery: The mediastinum is the central compartment of the chest – between the lungs. Tumours, cysts, and enlarged lymph nodes here require a thoracic approach for safe removal.
• Chest wall and pleural procedures: Management of fluid around the lungs, recurrent pneumothorax, and chest wall conditions – including minimally invasive approaches wherever possible.

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery – What It Means for Patients

Thoracic surgery has changed significantly in the past two decades. VATS – video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery – allows our surgeons to perform lung resections, pleural procedures, and mediastinal biopsies through small port incisions rather than a full thoracotomy that opens the chest completely.

The practical difference for a patient in Ahmedabad is significant. A VATS lobectomy for an early lung cancer typically means 3 to 4 days in hospital and a return to normal activities within 3 weeks. The equivalent open procedure would mean 5 to 7 days in hospital and 6 to 8 weeks of restricted activity – with considerably more pain throughout. Where anatomy and tumour characteristics allow it, VATS is our preferred approach at EPIC Hospital.

When You Need a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon Rather Than a General Surgeon

If your condition involves the heart, the major blood vessels, the lungs, the food pipe, or the central chest – you need a cardiothoracic specialist, not a general surgeon. The anatomy is different. The anaesthetic management during chest surgery is different. The post-operative care is different. Your cardiologist, pulmonologist, or oncologist can refer you to the right specialist.

At EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad, our cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons work closely with our cardiologists and oncologists so that patients who need both perspectives – for example, someone with a lung tumour who also has significant coronary artery disease – receive a coordinated assessment, not a series of separate opinions.

Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery at EPIC Hospital – Your Questions

Can lung cancer be cured with surgery?

For early-stage non-small cell lung cancer – stages I and II – surgical resection offers the best chance of cure. Our thoracic surgeons work with oncologists at EPIC Hospital to assess whether the tumour is resectable, whether the patient’s lung function is adequate for resection, and what the most appropriate surgical approach is.

What is VATS and is it available at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad?

VATS – video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery – is minimally invasive chest surgery performed through small port incisions with a camera. Yes, it is available at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad for lung resection, pleural procedures, mediastinal biopsies, and selected oesophageal procedures.

What if I need both heart surgery and lung surgery at the same time?

Combined cardiac and thoracic procedures – for example, coronary bypass combined with lung resection – are occasionally necessary. Our team can manage these combined cases, which require both cardiac and thoracic surgical experience working together in the same operation.

Expert Chest Surgery in Ahmedabad – All in One Place

Whether you need a cardiac procedure, thoracic surgery, or a complex combined approach, our cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons in Ahmedabad at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital have the depth to handle it honestly and well.

Book a consultation online, call our surgical team today, WhatsApp your CT or PET imaging for review, or visit EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad – and get the specialist chest assessment you need.

When the Problem Is Not the Heart but the Blood Vessels – Choose the best Vascular Surgery Hospital

Most people think of the heart when they hear the word ‘vascular’. But vascular disease affects the arteries and veins throughout your entire body – your legs, abdomen, neck, and kidneys. And in Gujarat, where diabetes and high blood pressure are extremely common, vascular disease is one of the most under-diagnosed problems that people live with for years before it becomes a crisis.

EPIC Multispecialty Hospital is a dedicated vascular surgery hospital in Ahmedabad with the specialist team and surgical capability to manage the full range of vascular conditions – from the early warning signs to the emergencies that cannot wait.

What Vascular Disease Actually Looks Like – and Why It Gets Missed

Vascular disease is quiet until it is not. A patient with significantly blocked arteries in the legs will often blame their calf pain on age or lack of fitness, never realising it is their circulation. A patient with a growing aneurysm in their abdominal aorta – the body’s main artery – may feel completely fine until it ruptures. And someone with carotid artery narrowing may have no symptoms at all until they have a stroke.

The warning signs worth paying attention to: pain in the calf or thigh that comes on after walking a fixed distance and goes away with a few minutes of rest. That is almost never a muscle problem – it is classic vascular claudication, and it needs a proper vascular assessment. Cold or discoloured feet. A non-healing wound on the foot or ankle, especially in a diabetic patient. A pulsating sensation felt in the abdomen.

Vascular Conditions Treated at EPIC Hospital, Ahmedabad

• Peripheral artery disease: Blocked or narrowed arteries in the legs causing pain, reduced walking distance, and in advanced cases, wounds that will not heal. We treat this with angioplasty, stenting, or surgical bypass – whichever approach gives the best result for your anatomy.
• Aortic aneurysm: A balloon-like enlargement in the body’s main artery. When it reaches a dangerous size, we offer both open surgical repair and EVAR – endovascular aneurysm repair – a catheter-based approach that avoids a major open operation.
• Carotid artery disease: Narrowing of the carotid arteries in the neck is a leading cause of stroke. Carotid endarterectomy – surgically cleaning out the blockage – or carotid stenting significantly reduces stroke risk in suitable patients.
• Diabetic vascular disease and limb salvage: Gujarat has one of the highest diabetes rates in India. Diabetic foot problems with poor circulation are a leading cause of amputation – and many of those amputations are preventable with timely vascular intervention. Our limb salvage programme at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad has helped patients avoid amputation when other centres had given up.
• Deep vein thrombosis: Blood clots in the deep leg veins are more common than people realise and more dangerous than they are often told. Early treatment prevents pulmonary embolism – a clot travelling to the lungs – and long-term vein damage.

Why Being a Dedicated Vascular Surgery Hospital in Ahmedabad Matters

Vascular surgery requires specific training, specific equipment, and a team that works with blood vessels every day. A general surgeon who occasionally operates on arteries and veins is a different thing from a vascular specialist. The range of procedures available, the experience with complex anatomy, and the outcomes data all differ significantly.

At EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad, our vascular surgeons work alongside our interventional cardiologists – which matters because many patients have both cardiac and vascular disease simultaneously. A patient who needs a leg bypass and also has significant coronary artery disease needs both problems properly assessed before any surgery, not managed in isolation.

Vascular Surgery at EPIC Hospital – Questions Patients Ask

Can blocked leg arteries be treated without surgery?

Yes – angioplasty and stenting, which do not require open surgery, are effective for many cases of peripheral artery disease. Whether endovascular or surgical treatment is more appropriate depends on the length and location of the blockage and the quality of the vessels above and below it. Our team will review your imaging and discuss the options specifically.

I have diabetes and a wound on my foot that is not healing. Is this vascular?

It may well be. Poor circulation is one of the leading causes of non-healing diabetic foot wounds. A vascular assessment – including an ankle-brachial pressure index measurement – is an essential first step. If circulation is reduced, restoring blood flow often allows a wound to heal that otherwise would not. Come to EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad for an assessment.

Is vascular surgery available as an emergency at EPIC Hospital?

Yes. Ruptured aneurysms, acute limb ischaemia – where an artery suddenly blocks and the limb loses blood supply – and major vascular trauma are all managed as emergencies. Our team is available around the clock.

EPIC Hospital – Your Vascular Surgery Centre in Ahmedabad

As a dedicated vascular surgery hospital in Ahmedabad, EPIC Multispecialty Hospital brings together the people, the technology, and the integrated approach to vascular care that patients across Gujarat need – and often struggle to find close to home.

Book a vascular surgery consultation online, call our team today, WhatsApp your Doppler or CT angiography reports, or visit EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad – and get the assessment your circulation deserves.

Valvular Heart Surgery in Ahmedabad – When Your Heart’s Valves Need More Than Medication

Your heart has four valves, and they open and close with every single heartbeat – around 100,000 times a day, every day of your life. When one of those valves starts to fail, the heart has to work harder to compensate. Over time, that extra strain takes a toll. And at a certain point, medication alone is not enough to keep up.

Valvular heart surgery in Ahmedabad at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital is built around one goal – restoring your heart to its proper rhythm of work, with the least disruption to your body and your life. Whether your valve needs to be repaired or replaced, our cardiac surgeons bring both the technical skill and the honest communication that a decision this significant deserves.

Which Valve Conditions Lead to Surgery?

• Rheumatic mitral valve disease: Rheumatic fever in childhood – still very common in India and Gujarat – can scar the mitral valve over years, causing it to narrow or leak. Many patients in Ahmedabad in their 30s and 40s carry this damage without knowing how serious it has become until symptoms appear.
• Aortic stenosis: The aortic valve gradually narrows – usually from calcium buildup in older patients, or from a valve that was not quite normal from birth. When it becomes severe, the heart struggles to pump blood out effectively. Patients feel breathless, get dizzy on exertion, or develop chest pain.
• Mitral regurgitation: A leaking mitral valve – where blood flows back the wrong way with each heartbeat instead of moving forward. The heart enlarges over time trying to compensate, and eventually function declines.
• Multi-valve disease: Rheumatic fever can damage more than one valve, and some patients in Ahmedabad present with two or even three valves that need attention. These combined procedures require careful planning and an experienced surgical team.
• Failed prosthetic valves: Patients who had valve surgery years ago can sometimes develop problems with their prosthetic valve over time. Redo surgery is technically more demanding – and our team has specific experience with it.

Repair or Replace – How That Decision Is Made

If you have been told you need valvular heart surgery, the most important conversation is about whether your valve can be repaired or whether it needs to be replaced. Repair is almost always the better option when it is technically possible – your own valve tissue works better than any prosthetic, and repair typically avoids the need for lifelong blood thinners.

Our cardiac surgeons at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad push hard to repair when the anatomy allows it – particularly for mitral valve disease. When replacement is the right answer, we explain the choice between mechanical valves (durable, require blood thinners) and tissue valves (no long-term blood thinners, may need replacement after 10 to 20 years) in plain terms, based on your age and lifestyle.

For patients who are elderly or have other health conditions that make open surgery very risky, TAVI – a catheter-based valve procedure done without opening the chest – is available at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad for suitable cases.

What the Recovery Looks Like

Most patients having valvular heart surgery in Ahmedabad at EPIC Hospital spend 5 to 8 days in hospital, including time in our cardiac ICU in the first day or two. By the end of the first week, most patients are walking around the ward. The sternum – the breastbone – takes about 6 to 8 weeks to heal fully, which is the main limitation on activity in the early weeks.

Cardiac rehabilitation begins before you leave the hospital and continues as an outpatient programme. Most patients are back to their normal daily routine – modified slightly for the healing period – within 6 to 8 weeks. Your surgeon will give you a specific, honest timeline based on your particular procedure.

Valvular Heart Surgery in Ahmedabad – Your Questions Answered

How do I know if my valve disease has reached the point of needing surgery?

Your cardiologist monitors your valve disease over time using echocardiography. Surgery is generally recommended when you develop symptoms – breathlessness, fainting, chest pain – when the valve becomes severely abnormal on imaging, or when the heart begins to enlarge in a way that signals it is struggling. The threshold varies by valve and by person. Regular follow-up with your cardiologist at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad is how you catch this at the right time.

Is valvular heart surgery safe?

For most patients, yes – the risks are low in experienced hands. For a standard valve replacement in an otherwise healthy patient, the surgical risk is well below 3 percent. Higher-risk patients – those with reduced heart function, previous surgery, or other medical conditions – carry a higher risk that your surgeon will calculate and explain specifically for your case.

Will I need blood thinners for life after valve surgery?

It depends on what is implanted. Mechanical valves require lifelong warfarin. Tissue valves generally require it only for 3 months. A repaired valve typically requires it for 3 months only. TAVI patients usually take antiplatelet medication rather than warfarin. Your cardiologist will manage this after surgery.

Can I get a second opinion on my valve surgery at EPIC Hospital?

Absolutely – and we encourage it. Bring all your echocardiography reports, recent ECG, and any previous clinic letters. Our cardiac surgeon will review everything and give you an honest, independent assessment.

Talk to Our Valve Surgery Team in Ahmedabad

Valvular heart surgery in Ahmedabad at EPIC Multispecialty Hospital is not something we take lightly – and neither should you. The right surgeon, the right approach, and the right support around you make all the difference.

Book a consultation online, call our cardiac surgery team today, WhatsApp your echocardiography report for an initial review, or visit EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad – and let’s have a proper conversation about your heart valve.