New device implanted in heart patient successfully

The costly device known as, Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (AICD), was implanted through an open-chest surgery to implant the electrodes which detects abnormal rhythm of pumping of the heart and deliver correct electric pulse adjusting itself automatically and so escaping a possible heart attack.

"It is like a large pacemaker but with more sophisticated functions that would eventually prolong life in people who have them. Most do not need to take drugs as the device controls pace of the heart beats," Professor A P M Sohrabuzzaman, who implanted the device at the Lab Aid Cardiac Institute of Science and Research (LCISR), told the journalists at a press conference yesterday.

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People whose heart suddenly stops pumping blood due to loss of an organised heartbeat (ventricular fibrillation) or an excessively rapid heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia) need the device most.

"We are very proud to announce this event and it is a success for the nation," said Dr Shameem Ahmed, managing director of Lab Aid Group.

The device and the total cost of the implant including hospital stay costs Tk 11 lakh.

Dr Ruhul Amin, a Dhaka University teacher, was the first patient to receive the implant on the first of this month.

"I am now much better and feel very confident," said Dr Amin who escaped three heart attacks in last five years.