“Without a Pulse”: Five years survival stories on an Artificial Heart  

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  • The artificial heart (LVAD) was implanted in these patients facing end-stage heart failure at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket in 2015-16. The device, which is supposedly considered a “bridge to a transplant”, proved to be “destination therapy” 
  • Increases life expectancy by 13-15 years 
  • These patients have no heartbeat, pulse or measurable blood pressure, but continue to lead a normal life.  

NEW DELHI / September 24, 2020: Patients facing end-stage heart failure years ago; and certain death in the absence of an immediate heart transplant – are leading near-normal lives. The reason: Heart surgeons at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket implanted a mechanical pump called the LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) that took over the function of their failing hearts. These patients don’t have a pulse, heartbeat or blood pressure, yet they are able to do everything that a healthy person can, as their blood flow has been fully restored. 

Said Dr. Kewal Krishan, Director, Heart Transplant & Ventricular Assist Devices, Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket: “LVAD is a device that adds 13 to 15 years to the life of people facing imminent heart failure. It boosts functions of the heart and is used either as a temporary measure till a heart transplant can be conducted, or as a destination therapy where the patient lives with the device permanently as they are unfit for a heart transplant. LVAD enables patients to live a normal life even after end-stage heart failure.”  

He added: “We have conducted over a dozen LVAD implants till now at Max Hospital, Saket, ranging from a seven-year-old girl to an 81-year-old female patient. Four of those patients are living a normal life even five years after implant– they are the first and only LVAD recipients in India to have successfully survived beyond five years. Others are also doing well and hopefully will complete many more years on device.  LVAD is gradually emerging as a good alternative to a heart transplant.”  

LVADs are mechanical pumps of the size of one’s palm and have a cable that connects to an outside chargeable battery unit. An impeller within the pump spins thousands of times a minute, circulating the blood around the body continuously without a break. This means that LVAD patients don’t have a pulse or heartbeat or measurable blood pressure. The external components of LVAD include a controller and batteries which power the device. 

50-year-old Neelam Sodhi – a mother of three children and the first woman at Max Healthcare to be implanted with an LVAD – complained of chronic breathing problems and coughing about six years ago. She had suffered a cardiac arrest earlier, but a pacemaker and medications did little to improve her condition. She was put on a ventilator as her heart was working to only 20% of its capacity. Since a donor heart was not available for a transplant, doctors suggested LVAD implant as an alternative life-saving procedure. She underwent the procedure in 2016. She has been fine since then and living a normal life.  

“I like singing and used to sing a dozen bhajans daily. But my world collapsed when my heart became very weak and almost collapsed, no longer able to pump blood to my body. After getting the artificial heart, I have got my life back, and I am back to singing. I got my youngest child married a couple of years ago – I was not destined to see that day if I was to wait for a heart transplant. I thank doctors of Max Hospital, Saket from the bottom of my heart for enabling me to return to a normal life,” said Ms Sodhi. 

Another patient, 61-year-old, Shyam Sundar Aggarwal with a history of diabetes and hypertension reached the hospital after developing heart-related issues. He had been suffering from thrombosis for a couple of years before having a massive heart attack in 2015 wherein he was diagnosed with 100% blockage and was diagnosed to have an ejection fraction of less than 20%. Implanted with LVAD in 2015, he has been living a healthy and wholesome life ever since.  

At the age of 73, Ram Pratap Garg, leads an active life, practicing Yoga as a daily activity. He underwent LVAD implant in 2015. Mr Garg said he is very happy to have gone ahead with his decision of getting the LVAD. “About five years ago, I was undergoing treatment at another private hospital but had no improvement in my condition. The doctors had lost all hope when someone suggested that Dr. Kewal Krishan at Max Hospital will be able to give us some hope. There was some kind of an infection that had to be treated for the first 10-15 days when I reached Saket after which I underwent the device implant. I am happy to report that this device easily supports my active lifestyle.” 

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Lloyd marks its entry into the refrigerator segment; launches Direct Cool, Frost Free and Side by Side categories

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·         Launches 25 new models of Direct Cool, Frost Free and Side by Side Refrigerators; Plans to launch additional 25 models of refrigerators and a new range of dishwashers by Diwali 2020

Bangalore, September 24th, 2020: Havells India Limited, a leading Fast-Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) company today announced its entry into the refrigerator segment under its consumer durable brand – Lloyd. The company will also double the range with additional 25 models by Diwali this year. The refrigerator range is designed keeping in mind the modern kitchen aesthetics combined with energy saving features that adapt to the consumer lifestyle. The alluring transparent interiors of the range comes with an array of attractive fresh floral fascia design, which reflects refrigerators as a work of art that blends with your home décor. The refrigerators will be available in capacities ranging from 190 litres to 587 litres, and at an introductory offer price range from INR 10,000 to INR 84,990.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shashi Arora, CEO, Lloyd said, “With the legacy of being known as a cooling expert over decades, Lloyd today is among the top 3 brands in the air conditioners segment. Today, we are introducing DC, Side by side, frost free range of refrigerators to complement other categories, in our attempt to make Lloyd a full-fledged consumer durable brand. Backed by our Make in India vision, we are going to produce all our refrigerators in the country enabling us to bring better quality and relevant customisations to our customers.

The refrigerators launched today will offer class leading features in a wide array of capacities and price range through our strong network of 10,000 dealers and retailers across the country. Our range of refrigerators brings to our customers the benefits of even cooling that keeps all their food items including fruits and vegetables fresher for a longer duration. All this comes at a lower electricity cost due to the latest inverter technology deployed in the newly launched range.”

Revolutionizing the refrigerator category in India. The new range introduced by Lloyd is equipped withBactshield technology that eliminates bacteria and provides longer lasting freshness to perishables- a much needed feature in a tropical country like India. The refrigerators range will feature the unique Decacool technology that will ensure cooling in every corner. It also consists of flexi max design which caters to the underlying need of more storage for discerning Indian consumer. The above range is rated as per the 2020 energy rating norms coupled with advantages of the Inverter technology. In conjunction with invertor technology, the new refrigerator range will come with dual safety compressor with OLP and OHR that enhances compressor’s life and makes Lloyd refrigerators highly energy-efficient.

Lloyd refrigerators are also environment friendly with a zero ODP (Ozone depletion potential) presence thus helps in reducing its carbon footprint. The newly launched refrigerators will come with a one year comprehensive warranty along with a 10 years compressor warranty. The range will be available across pan India Lloyd brand shops, offline dealers and Lloyd online e store.

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Samarthanam Trust announces “cash relief for India’s blind cricketers” 

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Bengaluru, 23rd September 2020 : In extreme times like now, dealing in kind has its limits but kindness doesn’t. Recognizing that cash in hand is any day, and especially so in the current position, better than providing people with things that may have or many not want, the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, a pan India non-profit organization founded in 1997, with a vision to empower the visually impaired, disabled and marginalized people in India, has come up with a plan to help blind cricketers in India. 

Almost 600 cricketers from across India, that includes men and women, will benefit to the tune of approximately Rs 35 lakh thanks to the largesse of Give India with whom Samarthanam has tied up to provide the cricketers associated with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI). Players of the 24 State teams that took part in the second season of the All India Nagesh Trophy Men’s National Cricket Tournament for the Blind as also players from the seven states that took part in the inaugural Women’s National Cricket Tournament for the Blind will each receive Rs 7,000 (for those in Tier 1 cities), Rs 5000 (for Tier 2 cities) and Rs 4,000 (for tier 3 cities). 

Take the case of Venugopal Mani, the 32-year-old Blind Cricketer from Badiyadka in Kasaragod district in Kerala, who used to sell lottery tickets when he wasn’t playing cricket.  He used to make Rs. 400-500 per day by selling lottery tickets said Venugopal who has been playing for the Kerala blind team from 2013. But this pandemic has put a hold to the South Africa Blind Cricket’s team tour of India earlier in March, took its toll away from the field too. He has to support his wife who is also a blind, a two-year-old son and his aging mother but this pandemic has confined indoors, and he had to borrow loans. 

Naturally this cash infusion from CABI and Samarthanam has left him relieved, at least for some time. “This help has come just at the right time for and I am most grateful to both the Cricket Association for the Blind in Kerala (CABK) and CABI as also to Samarthanam. I hope to get back to playing cricket and earn my livelihood soon,” said Venugopal.  

Similar is the case with Sukhram Majhi, another blind cricketer who has represented India. Hailing from Koraput district in Odisha state, he doesn’t have a job and is currently pursuing his studies as a MA student. They are a family of three and have lost his father. His mother, who is also partially blind a daily wage labourer and the only earning member of the family. His mother’s elder sister is mentally challenged and stays together with them. 

“Due to the lockdown, my mother lost her job had to depend on the disability pension and they were running out of basic essentials at home and were unable to pay the house rent. I was so grateful when I received financial help from Give India through Samarthanam. The cash assistance couldn’t have been timed better otherwise we would have been in trouble” says Sukhram Majhi. 

Shilpa’s story is no different. Having represented Karnataka in the inaugural Women’s National Cricket Tournament for the Blind back in December 2019, the Davangere girl said the lockdown and its consequences had made life very difficult for her and her family. 

“My father couldn’t go out to work and so we depended on the free ration provided by the government for BPL card holders. Just as we were getting desperate we received cash from CABI. It came as a great relief and I do hope more people like me will get similar timely support” says Shilpa. 

Soon after the lockdown was announced, the Samarthanam Trust started identifying disabled people in dire need of support and chalked out an action plan to implement the relief work. As many as 14 cities are being covered under the relief work, 3.5 lakh meals were cooked and supplied while dry ration kits are being given to 16,000 people with focus on persons with disabilities. Medical equipment such as 32,000 PPE kits and other aids such as pulse oximeters, ICU beds, masks and sanitizers were provided to 12 government hospitals. In addition, about one lakh frontline workers (ASHA workers, Sanitation workers, Anganwadi workers, Police personnel) were supported with masks, sanitizers, medical gear and even sarees (uniforms). 

Meantime some of the state associations like Kerala and Delhi announced some cash relief for their players. 

“The need of the hour is cash so that each individual can decide for himself or herself what their immediate needs are and use the money accordingly” said Mahantesh GK, the Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam and the President of CABI. 

“We wish we could do more but for that blind cricket needs more support from the Union Sports Ministry as also the BCCI. Our cricketers have won four World Cups (two ODI World Cups and two T20 World Cups) and have brought great laurels to the nation. We also conduct our national tournaments and have bilateral cricket series regularly every year thanks to some support from the corporate world but much more needs to be done,” added Mahantesh. 

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Doctors performed Double Bone Marrow Transplants and saved two patients, battling with the advanced stage Multiple Myeloma

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September 23rd, Bangalore: BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Kengeri, a pioneer of transplants, successfully performed Two Bone Marrow Transplantations saving the lives of two women, who were battling with advanced stage Multiple Myeloma disease. Ms. Shukriah Ali EzziAmer, a 46 year old woman from Yemen and Mrs Bhanumathi, a 56 year old from Bangalore presented to the hospital in a critical condition. After analysing their medical condition, the doctors prepared a detailed treatment plan, with 6 months of Induction chemotherapy and later performed autologous bone marrow transplantation. The Bone marrow transplantation team comprising of Dr Mangesh Kamath, Dr Rajeev Vijayakumar, and Dr Neema Bhat spearheaded the transplant successfully and prepared a robust plan for both the patients, resulting in quick recovery in the midst of COVID pandemic chaos during the nationwide lockdown. 

Mrs Shukriah Ali EzziAmer, a 46 year old housewife from Yemen presented to BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, after experiencing severe back problem. She presented with the severe bone pain, low haemoglobin and fatigue and experienced repeated urinary tract infections. To understand the actual condition of the patient, doctors did a few tests, including comprehensive blood tests for diagnosing Myeloma, bone marrow biopsy and PETCT scan. They learned that Mrs Shukriah was suffering from advanced stage Multiple Myeloma and needed immediate medical intervention. After doing a thorough analysis of her health condition, the Haemato-oncology team decided to go ahead with the Induction chemotherapy for 6 months and further perform autologous bone marrow transplantation (after achieving good disease response) to maintain disease remission. 

Autologous bone marrow transplant is a medical non-surgical procedure, in which the affected patient’s stem cells are removed from the body, before performing the high-dose chemotherapy treatment. The stem cells are stored in a freezer, while the patient is undergoing high-dose chemotherapy after which the previously extracted stems cells are put back in the patient’s body to make normal blood cells.

While preparing the treatment plan, Ms Shukriah was going through an emotional turmoil because she was facing financial difficulties, which caused a major road block. After seeing the plight of Ms Shukriah, the medical team decided to perform “DAY CARE BMT” for her, i.e., the patient was admitted to the hospital only when required. The patient was admitted only during severe Neutropenia (abnormally low number of white blood cells in the blood) and was discharged as soon as WBC counts recovered.

Dr Mangesh P. Kamath, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist, Haemato-Oncologist & BMT Physician, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital says “The “Day care BMT” is not usually done In India, due to fear of patients developing community acquired infections. However, in this case, BMT was a very unique experience to us, as the patient had severe financial difficulties and her health condition was deteriorating each day. So, while treating Ms Shukriah, the BMT team were extra cautious, especially to avoid patient getting COVID-19 infection.”

As, Ms Shukriah was responding well to induction chemotherapy, the Haemato-oncology team fixed a date for the medical procedure, and admitted her on June 8th. The team successfully performed autologous bone marrow transplant and kept her under observation to examine her condition. 

In the midst of treating Ms Shukriah, the Haemato-oncology team was handling a similar challenge.

Ms Bhanumathi, a 53 year old housewife from Bangalore, was also facing similar problems. When she presented to BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, she had weakness with fatigue in the bilateral lower limb, hip pain, low hemoglobin, and repeated upper respiratory tract infections. Due to the severe back problem, before approaching BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Ms Bhanumathi, underwent neurosurgery to relieve spinal cord compression due to the tumour mass, however it didn’t find any relief from pain.

As her condition was more sensitive than Ms Shukriah because of her spinal problem, doctors performed a few round of tests which includes blood tests for diagnosing Myeloma, bone marrow biopsy, MRI L S Spine & PETCT scanning. Due to her medical history, Onco-pathologist, also evaluated the biopsied Paraspinal mass to get a clear picture of her spinal condition. After evaluating her test results, the medical team learned that Ms Bhanumathi was also suffering from advanced stage Multiple Myeloma and required immediate attention. The Haemato-oncology team strategically planned her entire treatment plan and went ahead with 6 months induction chemotherapy. As, Ms Bhanumathi was showing positive response to chemotherapy, the medical experts decided to go ahead with  Autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Dr Rajeev Vijayakumar – Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist, Haemato-Oncologist & BMT Physician, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Bangalore says“When Ms Bhanumathi came to us with her symptoms, she was in grave pain and her spinal cord was severely affected. The timely intervention of our Haemato-oncology team and the quick patient’s treatment plans resulted in speedy recovery. This patient had multiple co-morbidities including asthma due to which we had to be very careful in avoiding her from getting infected with any respiratory pathogens, including corona virus.”

Ms Bhanumathi was admitted on June 11th for the procedure and in the matter of few hours the medical procedure was performed successfully with the support of the dedicated team of BMT Nurses and hospital staff. 

Both the patients underwent comprehensive assessment for their disease status and were found to be Myeloma free currently. The patient from Yemen is back to her country and is currently on maintenance treatment and the second patient is asymptomatic.

Dr Neema Bhat, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Oncology, Haematology and BMT Physician at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital says “Both patients underwent Comprehensive evaluation after bone marrow transplantation; the reports show that the both the patients are maintained in remission till date.”

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Zee Live partners with Zee Studios to launch ‘Supermoon Drive-In’ this October

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A first of its kind drive-in theatre experience to be hosted over 3 days, across 2 cities
Largest outdoor movie premier in the country for Khaali Peeli and Ka Pae Ranasingam

Bangalore, 23 September 2020: Enhancing the movie-viewing experience for audiences in the new normal, Zee Live, the live events vertical of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. in partnership with Zee Studios has announced ‘Supermoon Drive In’, a first of its kind drive in theatre experience following the global standards of safety, social distancing measures and sanitization, keeping in mind the utmost safety of viewers. The drive in will also have a contact-less ticketing process along with contact-less F&B to ensure a safe environment for the movie goers.

Supermoon Drive-In will offer the finest moving-viewing experience for audience within the safety of their cars, following all the required hygiene and safety norms as advised by the Government of India. With limited out of home entertainment options available over the last six months, movie goers have been missing the excitement of catching the latest flick at a movie theatre. To cater to this need gap, Zee Live & Zee Studios will host the premieres of the Bollywood romance action film ‘Khaali Peeli’ and the Tamil drama ‘Ka Pae Ranasingam’ at its first drive-in movie festival.

To be hosted from October 2-4, 2020, Supermoon Drive In will feature 11 shows over 3 days in 2 cities. Audiences can catch their favourite films on the below mentioned location & dates:
• *Gurgaon: Backyard Sports Club, sector 59 | 2nd -4th Oct Khaali Peeli
• *Bangalore: Phoenix Marketcity, Whitefield | 2nd-4th Oct Khaali Peeli & Ka Pae Ranasingam
Tickets available on BookMyShow and Insider.com

Speaking on the launch of the initiative, Swaroop Banerjee, COO and business head, Zee Live said, “We are excited to launch ‘Supermoon Drive In’ at a time when there is an existing dearth of authentic theatre-viewing experience. A movie outing has always been one of the most common forms of outdoor environment which the audiences were missing owing to the lockdown. We are delighted to associate with Zee Studios to bring in two very exciting movies with a talented star cast. With this partnership we aim to give our audiences the freedom to step out of their homes while maintaining the necessary safety and hygiene standards of the whole experience from the comforts of their car.”

Shariq Patel, CEO, Zee Studios added, “We are exhilarated to host the largest outdoor movie premiers in the country with the release of ‘Khaali Peeli’ and ‘Ka Pae Ranasingam’. Both these movies with its stellar cast and engaging story lines are sure to strike a chord with our viewers who were missing the grandeur of cinema experience. The entire event is going to serve as an exciting and much-needed experience for all movie aficionados”

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