The National Cardiac Center is built in an area of approximately 5000 sq. ft. and annually  it serves above 20,000 patients from different parts of the country

A 45-year old male from Surkhet was delighted to see his kidney function normalized after six months of watchful treatment of hypertension. He had visited the National Cardiac Centre (NCC) six months back after referral from a local physician for uncontrolled blood pressure. His BP could not be controlled despite taking three BP-lowering medicines.

His creatinine was 1.8 mg % (a marker of kidney function with normal range being less than 1.25) and microalbumin-creatinine ratio of 420 (a form of protein with a normal range of less than 30), an abnormal value of which is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular mortality. His blood pressure was 160/100 on a 24hr ambulatory BP monitor while using medicines. Hypertension had also produced deleterious effects on his heart and eyes in the form of hypertrophy of heart muscles and vascular changes in the retina, respectively.

The cardiologist at the NCC modified his drug regimen along with necessary lifestyle modifications. He was advised to monitor his blood pressure regularly and enter the blood pressure, pulse and other data in the mobile application of this centre (NCC Mobile App). His vital data was regularly seen by the cardiologist through specially-designed electronic medical reports which are interfaced with the mobile application. The patient was communicated through mobile application and viber about the modifications and plans of treatment. He had also visited this center three months back for a follow-up visit.

With proper control of blood pressure by a judicious combination of drugs and careful monitoring of vitals, his BP was properly managed, while he was in a remote location. The patient was in regular touch with the medical team of this center throughout this six-month period. With remote medical support, he could avoid unnecessary visits and related expenses and at the same time protect his health.

 “Since hypertension was the sole reason for the abnormalities in his kidney function and it was still in a reversible phase, the patient was lucky enough to get rid of this deadly disease,”said the treating cardiologist.

According to him, If the blood pressure of a patient is properly controlled, creatinine & microalbumin can normalize if the disease is in early stage. But once it has caused irreversible damage, complete normalization of kidney function is challenging. Proper treatment of hypertension can also reverse changes in heart and blood vessels.

The monitoring of blood pressure and communication to the treating physician from time to time is crucial in the management of such cases. Achieving target blood pressure which is also individualized based on the patient’s health condition is a cornerstone of treatment. Modifications of drug regimen to achieve the desired BP goal between two hospital visits is impossible without regular supervision which was done successfully with the help of the mobile application and EMR in this case.

Not only in the case of hypertension but also in treatment of any long term diseases requires regular supervision of a clinician while the patient is at home. For that, the clinician should be able to approach different health data, reports and present medications of a particular patient before giving him any further advice. At the same time, the patient should be able to communicate his/her data to the clinician correctly.

This two-way communication between the patient and clinician through the use of advanced technology has been made possible at this center. Complicated heart patients of this center are getting remarkable benefits from the use of this technology. This center receives referral of cardiac patients from different parts of the country and a team of experienced cardiologists, physicians and trained paramedics take care of those patients.

Patients and  doctors of this center can approach ECG, Echocardiography, Xray, Ultrasonography, Laboratory and other reports anytime from anywhere through EMR and the mobile application respectively. This center is equipped with the latest and advanced machines which are capable of interfacing the patient’s reports to electronic medical records. EMR reports are seamlessly interfaced with the users’ mobile application. Privacy and security of the patient’s reports are also well taken care of.

The National Cardiac Centre located in Basundhara, Kathmandu is the prime cardiac institution established in 2020 with the aim of preventing and treating cardiovascular risk factors in the country. This center is built in an area of approximately 5000 sq. ft. and annually  it serves above 20,000 patients from different parts of the country

 
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