Ten critically ill patients suffering from life-threatening clots in their major veins have received a new lease of life at the SDM Narayana Heart Centre in Dharwad. In a significant medical intervention, specialists at the centre used advanced clot-removal techniques to treat individuals who were on the brink of fatal complications. Venous clots, often underestimated by the general public, can block blood flow to vital organs and lead to severe disability or sudden death. The latest procedures performed in Dharwad have now brought relief and hope to patients and their families, showcasing a major feat in regional healthcare.
The rising number of venous clot cases in the country highlights an urgent need for systemic screening and preventive policies. Healthcare experts believe that regular vascular assessments should become part of routine medical check-ups for people above the age of 40. While many hospitals conduct blood pressure and sugar tests, clot-related screening remains rare, despite its potentially fatal consequences. Preventive screening especially benefits individuals with sedentary work schedules, diabetes, or cardiac ailments. The cases treated in Dharwad are now being cited as examples of why routine vascular health checks are no longer optional but essential for public health.
The SDM Narayana Heart Centre’s achievement is expected to influence healthcare protocols in other institutions across Karnataka. Already, several regional hospitals have contacted the Dharwad centre for training modules on advanced thrombectomy techniques. Experts believe that decentralising such specialised procedures will significantly reduce mortality in semi-urban and rural districts. Venous blockages often become fatal not because of medical limitations but due to delays caused by lack of infrastructure. If more hospitals adopt catheter-based procedures, patients in emergency situations will not have to travel long distances for life-saving treatment.
Economic implications also play a crucial role in timely treatment, especially for patients from low-income backgrounds. In many cases, treatment is delayed because families hesitate due to fear of high hospital expenses. However, doctors insist that early medical intervention is often more affordable than prolonged medication or emergency surgeries that come later when the condition worsens. The success of minimally invasive clot removal proves that advanced healthcare can be cost-effective when executed in time. Financial assistance schemes and insurance awareness are also helping reduce economic barriers, encouraging more patients to seek immediate care.
Looking ahead, specialists at the centre believe that spreading awareness will save more lives than technology alone. They emphasize the importance of public education campaigns in schools, workplaces, and community health programmes. Awareness drives can teach people to recognise early symptoms, take preventive measures, and make informed medical choices. The hospital plans to collaborate with local civic groups, educational institutions, and media platforms to destigmatize vascular diseases and encourage proactive health behaviour. With medical expertise advancing rapidly and awareness increasing, the recent success in Dharwad could become a turning point in the fight against venous clot-related fatalities.
The SDM Narayana Heart Centre, known for its expertise in handling complex cardiac and vascular disorders, deployed new minimally invasive methods to remove clots without open surgery. Many of these patients were at an advanced stage of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE), both considered life-threatening conditions when not treated promptly. The use of specialized catheter-based technology enabled doctors to extract large clots that were obstructing blood circulation. Doctors described the cases as challenging yet immensely rewarding, given the urgent risks involved and the successful outcomes achieved.
The group of ten patients ranged from middle-aged individuals to older adults, many of whom arrived with severe swelling, intense pain, and difficulty breathing. Some were unable to walk due to blockage of blood flow in their legs, while others risked complications affecting the lungs and heart. These recent interventions have not only saved lives but also prevented long-term disability and organ damage. Families expressed emotional gratitude as the victims walked out of the hospital after treatment that might not have been possible in many other centres across the region.
Advanced Clot-Removal Method Redefines Emergency Care
The clot-removal procedure used by the doctors at SDM Narayana Heart Centre marks a crucial shift in managing severe venous diseases. Traditionally, such patients would undergo long-term medication, sometimes accompanied by risky open surgery. The modern catheter-based treatment allows doctors to directly target the clot and dissolve or remove it in a controlled manner. Unlike open surgeries, which require long recovery periods, patients treated with minimally invasive clot removal often recover within hours or days.
Doctors at the centre used high-end intravascular ultrasound and mechanical thrombectomy devices to identify and remove clots. This precise technology allows experts to see inside the veins, locate the obstruction, and deploy devices that physically break and suction out clots. In one case, the clot was so extensive that it had reached the lungs, posing the threat of a sudden collapse. Physicians acted swiftly, using a combination of medications and mechanical removal to prevent further spread.
The hospital team involved interventional cardiologists, vascular surgeons, radiologists, and critical care professionals who worked together to stabilise the patients. Each patient underwent individual assessments because venous blockages differ in size, location, and severity. Doctors highlighted that timely medical attention is the key to survival in such conditions. Many people ignore warning signs like swelling of limbs, persistent pain, or difficulty breathing, assuming these symptoms are minor. The cases treated at the Dharwad centre now serve as a reminder that clots in veins require urgent action.
In addition to removing the clots, doctors also placed venous stents in some patients to ensure blood flow remains unobstructed after treatment. Stents, which are small mesh-like tubes, help reinforce weakened or compressed veins. The use of stents prevents recurrence and gives patients long-term comfort. In several cases, patients who were bedridden are now mobile again and able to resume normal daily activity. Physicians stated that awareness and timely diagnosis could prevent many such life-threatening conditions in the future.
The success of the procedure also showcases the growing healthcare advancements available in Tier-2 cities like Dharwad. Previously, complex vascular treatments were mostly accessible in metropolitan hospitals. The presence of advanced treatment at SDM Narayana Heart Centre now promises accessible care for North Karnataka and neighbouring regions. The centre is becoming a destination for emergency cardiac and vascular treatment, significantly reducing travel time for patients who require urgent interventions. Doctors emphasised that the availability of immediate care dramatically increases survival chances in clot-related emergencies.
Recovered Patients Share Emotional Journey and Raise Awareness
For the ten patients treated at the centre, the experience was not only medical but deeply emotional. Many had arrived believing they might not survive the complications they were facing. One patient, a 56-year-old who suffered intense leg pain and swelling, said he could not even stand when he reached the hospital. The clot had blocked his entire leg vein, posing a risk of tissue damage and amputation. Within hours of treatment, circulation was restored, and he was able to walk with support the next day. He said that he had never imagined such a quick and effective recovery without surgery.
Another patient, a 68-year-old woman, had developed a large clot that travelled toward her lungs. She had severe breathlessness and could not lie down without discomfort. Her family described the situation as terrifying, fearing sudden collapse at any moment. The intervention removed the clot and prevented a massive pulmonary embolism. Doctors said that if she had delayed treatment even by a few hours, the outcome might have been fatal. She now hopes that more people learn about these symptoms and avoid waiting too long before seeking help.
Several patients shared that they initially assumed their symptoms were due to fatigue or age-related discomfort. Ignorance played a significant role in delaying their medical care. The hospital now plans to conduct awareness sessions on the risks of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Specialists highlight that clots can develop after long travel, prolonged sitting, surgery, trauma, or underlying health issues like obesity, smoking, or hormone-related changes. Being informed can prevent severe consequences.
Doctors further urged the public to identify symptoms early: redness or swelling in limbs, unexplained pain, shortness of breath, or rapid heart rate should not be ignored. People who are bedridden, recovering from major surgery, or engaged in long hours of desk work are especially vulnerable. Simple lifestyle habits like light exercise, proper hydration, and timely medical checks can reduce risks. The recent cases highlight how medical advancement can save lives, but awareness and prevention must walk hand in hand.
The families of the treated patients expressed gratitude to the hospital team, calling the recovery a miracle of modern science and compassionate healthcare. Several praised the nurses and critical care staff who provided emotional comfort through the treatment period. Many stated that they now feel responsible for spreading awareness because they have firsthand experience of how dangerous venous clots can be. What began as a fight for survival has now turned into a message of hope for many more at risk.
The SDM Narayana Heart Centre is expected to continue investing in specialised vascular treatment. Doctors say that training medical professionals in clot-management, increasing access to diagnostics, and ensuring early referral systems with smaller hospitals will make major impact in preventing deaths. The centre plans to encourage general practitioners across the region to identify clot symptoms early and refer patients immediately instead of relying only on long-term medication. With more collaboration among hospitals and health workers, patients can reach life-saving treatment at the right time.
These ten patients represent only a small portion of the population vulnerable to venous clots. Doctors urge the public to treat the condition as seriously as heart attacks. The success stories from Dharwad are proof that modern healthcare can reverse even life-threatening situations when timely action is taken. The message is loud and clear—knowing the symptoms, acting quickly, and having access to advanced treatment can make the difference between life and death. The patients who walked away from the SDM Narayana Heart Centre today walked out with more than recovery; they left with a renewed sense of life, gratitude, and awareness.
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