Who is a Pediatric Cardiologist?
A pediatric cardiologist is a specialized medical doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating heart conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. These highly skilled professionals undergo extensive training in pediatric medicine and cardiology to provide expert care for young patients with congenital heart defects, acquired heart diseases, and other cardiac conditions.
Pediatric cardiologists are trained to perform a wide range of diagnostic procedures and treatments tailored to the unique needs of pediatric patients. They work closely with pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, cardiac surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care and ensure the best possible outcomes for children with heart problems.
Why You Should Consider India for Pediatric Cardiology?
India has emerged as a leading destination for pediatric cardiology, offering international patients access to world-class healthcare facilities, renowned pediatric cardiologists, and specialized treatments. Here are compelling reasons why families should consider India for pediatric cardiac care:
Expertise of Pediatric Cardiologists: Indian pediatric cardiologists are highly trained and experienced in managing a wide spectrum of congenital and acquired heart conditions in children. They undergo rigorous education and training at prestigious medical institutions, both in India and abroad, ensuring proficiency in advanced cardiac care techniques.
Specialized Pediatric Cardiac Centers: India is home to specialized pediatric cardiac centers equipped with state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure. These centers adhere to international standards of medical excellence and offer comprehensive services, including non-invasive diagnostics, interventional procedures, pediatric cardiac surgery, and post-operative care.
Cost-Effective Treatment: Medical expenses in India, including consultation fees, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, hospitalization, and follow-up care, are significantly lower compared to Western countries. Families can benefit from substantial cost savings without compromising on the quality of medical care provided to their children.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Indian healthcare providers adopt a multidisciplinary approach to pediatric cardiac care, collaborating closely with pediatric cardiac surgeons, pediatric intensivists, pediatric anesthesiologists, and cardiac rehabilitation specialists. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive evaluation, personalized treatment plans, and coordinated care throughout the treatment journey.
Innovative Treatments and Research: India’s healthcare sector continues to innovate and advance in the field of pediatric cardiology. Medical institutions actively participate in clinical research, contribute to medical advancements, and incorporate cutting-edge technologies to improve outcomes for young patients with complex cardiac conditions.
Choosing India for pediatric cardiology ensures that children receive expert medical care in a nurturing and supportive environment. With a commitment to excellence, affordability, and comprehensive care, Indian healthcare providers strive to deliver exceptional outcomes and improve the quality of life for young patients with cardiac conditions.
Top Pediatric Cardiologists in India
Following is a list of the most reputed & experienced Pediatric Cardiologists & Surgeons in India.
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
- Marengo Asia Hospital, Faridabad
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Rajesh Sharma is one of the most experienced and widely acclaimed Cardiothoracic and Vascular surgeons specializing in pediatric cardiac surgery in India.
- He provides treatment for both adult and pediatric heart diseases and disorders and focuses primarily on complex congenital heart diseases.
- Dr. Sharma’s expertise lies in infant and Neonatal cardiac surgery, surgery for transposition of the great arteries, Fontan circulation, and acquired heart diseases.
- His experiences encompass over 3 decades during which he has performed over 20,000 heart surgeries including congenital heart disorders as well as acquired heart defects.
- Pediatric Cardiologist, New Delhi, India
- Over 26 years’ experience
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ashutosh Marwah is one of the best child heart specialists in India, having experience of over 26 years. He is currently the Director of Pediatric Cardiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, in New Delhi.
- Before joining Fortis Escorts, he worked as a Senior Consultant for Pediatric Cardiology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.
- Dr. Marwah specializes in handling a range of cardiac conditions and is quite skilled in managing complex procedures like interventional & perioperative cardiac catheterizations, dilatation stenting, fetal echocardiography, and Stent implantation.
- Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon, Gurugram, India
- Over 35 years’ experience
- Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Anil Bhan is an excellent Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon who has performed more than 15,000 cardiac and vascular surgeries that include heart transplant surgery, aortic aneurysm surgery, pediatric cardiac surgery, valve repairs, and peripheral vascular surgery among several others.
- He is one of the best pediatric cardiac surgeons in Delhi/ NCR and is credited with performing heart bypass surgery on the youngest patient in India in 2007 (18 months).
- He performed the first extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and was the first to use a harmonic scalpel for harvesting radial mammary artery conduits in India in 2000 and 1995 respectively.
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 40 years’ experience
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Krishna Subramony Iyer is one of the best Pediatric Cardiac surgeons in India and specializes in congenital heart diseases.
- He has been practicing pediatric cardiac surgery for over 4 decades and has performed more than 10,000 surgeries through various procedures like double switch operation TAPVC repairs, Fontan and Fontan, arterial switch, and DORV.
- Dr. Iyer has been associated with Escorts Heart Institute for a long time and is responsible for establishing the first pediatric cardiac care program in North India in 1995.
- Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 30 years’ experience
- Fortis Hospital Noida
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Ajay Kaul is a leading name in the field of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery in India with over 3 decades of experience.
- He specializes in Coronary Bypass surgery and is one of the best with the highest number of total arterial coronary bypass surgery (4000+) by using two internal mammary arteries from the chest and without any cuts on arms and legs.
- He is also an expert in minimally invasive cardiac surgeries (MICS) and has performed more than 4000 MICS which is the highest by any cardiac surgeon in India.
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Mumbai, India
- Over 37 years’ experience
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Suresh Rao is a highly experienced cardiac surgeon specializing in congenital heart diseases and has performed more than 12,000 surgeries for congenital heart diseases and disorders.
- Dr. Rao holds an extensive experience of over 37 years in Pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery and has performed numerous simple and complex heart defect surgeries with successful outcomes.
- Dr. Suresh Rao introduced the Modified Ultrafication procedure after congenital heart surgery in India and has used the procedure in the treatment of a large number of pediatric as well as adult patients.
- Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon, Chennai, India
- Over 21 years’ experience
- Apollo Children Hospital Chennai
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Neville Solomon is one of the best Cardiothoracic Surgeons in South India.
- Dr. Neville Solomon heads the Cardiology unit; his team has performed over 6000 heart operations to date, including 3000 congenital cardiac surgeries in newborns and adults
- In addition to this, Dr. Solomon runs the Save a Child’s Heart Initiative (SACHI) Program with his associates at Apollo Hospital.
- Paediatric Cardiologist, Chennai, India
- Over 10 years’ experience
- Apollo Children Hospital Chennai
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Muthukumaran C S is one of the finest Heart Specialists in India. He has successfully operated on more than 2500 cardiac catheterizations in children, 1000 AD closures, 250 VSD closures, and 700 PDA closures.
- The Medical practitioner has been associated with various reputed hospitals in India. Dr. Muthukumaran C S has been associated with many hospitals over the course of his illustrious and experienced career.
- Cardiac Surgeon, New Delhi, India
- Over 29 years’ experience
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Kulbhushan Singh Dagar, a pioneer and an expert in the cardiology field earned his reputation through his exceptional performance in the field of complex congenital heart defects, especially for newborns.
- With over 29 years of experience, Dr. Dagar has dedicatedly performed complex surgical procedures by implementing innovative techniques and cutting-edge technologies in his procedures and is currently considered an asset to the cardiac industry, not just nationally, but internationally too!
Role of Pediiatric Cardiologist & Surgeon
Procedures done by Pediatric Cardiologists
- Diagnostic Procedures:
- Echocardiogram (Echo): Uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart, allowing for the assessment of heart structure and function.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect arrhythmias and other heart conditions.
- Holter Monitoring: A continuous 24-48 hour recording of the heart’s electrical activity to diagnose irregular heartbeats.
- Cardiac MRI/CT Scan: Provides detailed images of the heart and blood vessels to assess complex congenital heart defects and other conditions.
- Cardiac Catheterization: Involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) into a blood vessel and guiding it to the heart to measure pressures, take samples, and perform diagnostic imaging.
Interventional Procedures:
- Balloon Angioplasty: Widens narrowed blood vessels by inflating a small balloon at the site of the narrowing.
- Stent Placement: Involves placing a small mesh tube in a blood vessel to keep it open.
- Balloon Valvuloplasty: Uses a balloon to open a narrowed heart valve.
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure: Closes holes in the heart’s septum using a device delivered via catheter.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Closure: Closes an open blood vessel that normally closes shortly after birth using a device delivered via catheter.
Procedures done by Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons
- Surgical Procedures:
- Repair of Congenital Heart Defects: Corrects defects present at birth such as ventricular septal defects (VSD), atrial septal defects (ASD), and tetralogy of Fallot.
- Heart Valve Repair or Replacement: Repairs or replaces faulty heart valves.
- Arterial Switch Operation: Corrects transposition of the great arteries by switching the positions of the aorta and pulmonary artery.
- Norwood Procedure: The first of three surgeries to treat hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
- Fontan Procedure: The final surgery in a series of operations for children with single ventricle defects, creating a pathway for oxygen-poor blood to go directly to the lungs.
- Ross Procedure: Replaces a damaged aortic valve with the patient’s own pulmonary valve.
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): Provides prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to patients whose heart and lungs are unable to function adequately.
Collaborative Efforts:
Pediatric cardiologists and pediatric heart surgeons often work together, especially in complex cases requiring both diagnostic and interventional approaches. The cardiologist may handle initial diagnosis and less invasive procedures, while the heart surgeon performs more extensive corrective surgeries.
Top Hospitals in India for Pediatric Cardiac Treatment.
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- One of India’s best and largest multi-specialty hospitals, Medanta was built with the aim to bring India to the highest standards of medical care. The hospital has been providing the best medical services to its patients, since its inception, with care, commitment, and compassion.
- Equipped with 1250 beds, the hospital was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan in the year 2009 with an aim to provide the best medical care at affordable costs. The hospital is spread across 43 acres and includes 45 operation theatres and 350 beds dedicated solely to ICU. The hospital includes over 800 doctors, and more than 22 specialty departments and has a dedicated floor for individual specialty in order to offer the best services under one roof.
- The hospital is considered one of the premier institutes in India for Cardiac Care and includes staffs and members of high caliber. The hospital has 6 distinct centers of excellence.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Over the last 33 years, the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has set new standards in cardiac treatment with groundbreaking research. It is now known around the world as a centre of expertise for Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
- The hospital has cutting-edge laboratories that perform a wide range of diagnostic tests in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology.
- Fortis Escorts Heart Institute boasts a diverse group of bright and experienced doctors who are backed up by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and devoted support professionals as well as cutting-edge equipment such as the recently installed Dual CT Scan.
- Approximately 200 cardiac doctors and 1600 personnel currently collaborate to manage over 14,500 admissions and 7,200 emergency situations each year. The hospital now has a 310-bed infrastructure, as well as five cath labs and a slew of other world-class amenities.
- City: Faridabad
Hospital Highlights:
In the sprawling city of Faridabad, where healthcare needs are diverse and ever-evolving, one institution has consistently stood out as a beacon of excellence in the field of medicine—Marengo Asia Hospital. Established with a vision to provide world-class healthcare services to the community it serves, Marengo Asia Hospital has emerged as a trusted name synonymous with quality, compassion, and innovation in healthcare.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Equipped with 650 beds, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital is the largest stand-alone private sector hospital in Delhi.
- With over 1500 healthcare providers and 150 globally renowned super specialists, the hospital is one of Asia’s largest BMT Centres. The hospital is known for having some of the best cancer doctors in the country.
- The hospital is NABH and NABL accredited and was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Located in Chennai, India, MGM Healthcare is a top multispecialty hospital that provides all medical services under one roof.
- Since its founding in 2019, MGM Healthcare has quickly become a leading national referral centre, creating several innovative flagship initiatives.
- MGM Healthcare combines next-generation medical and digital technologies to provide better patient results.
- With 12 centres of excellence, more than 400 inpatient beds, 100 intensive care unit beds, and 24/7 emergency care, MGM Healthcare leaves no chance in redefining the patient experience in Chennai.
- MGM Healthcare boasts 250+ expert doctors across 30+ departments, including Cardiology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and more.
- They house 12 specialized Centres of Excellence, including Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, and Multi-Organ Transplantation.
- Their team of doctors, nurses, and paramedics works together to give every patient individualized treatment.
- City: Noida, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital, Noida, stands as one of the oldest and most trusted healthcare institutions in the region, setting a benchmark for comprehensive medical care.
- As the second mega hub hospital in the Fortis Healthcare Group, Fortis Hospital, Noida, upholds a legacy of trust among more than 1.2 million patients. By integrating top-tier professionals with cutting-edge technology, the hospital delivers superior treatment across various medical disciplines.
- Specializing in advanced Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Kidney and Liver Transplant Programmes, Fortis Hospital, Noida has successfully performed over 1,500 transplants, solidifying its reputation as a leader in specialized medical interventions.