Advancing the Frontiers of Structural Heart Care

Unit II of the Department of Cardiology at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, is a specialised clinical and academic unit dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of structural heart disease and complex cardiac conditions.

The unit has particular expertise in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and a broad spectrum of catheter based structural heart interventions.

Building on CMC’s long tradition of excellence in patient care, education and research, Unit II has developed a comprehensive Structural Heart Programme combining advanced imaging, transcatheter therapies, multidisciplinary Heart Team care and continuing academic development.

Professor Dr. John Jose E, Head of Unit II, has played a key role in the development of the transcatheter valve and structural heart program at CMC Vellore.

STRUCTURAL HEART CARE

Expertise Across the Structural Heart Spectrum

Unit II provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with complex valvular and structural heart disease.

Care is delivered through a multidisciplinary Heart Team, bringing together expertise from interventional cardiology, cardiac imaging, cardiac surgery, cardiac anaesthesia, critical care and other specialist disciplines as required.

Areas of Expertise

  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) / Replacement (TAVR)
  • Transcatheter mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valve interventions
  • Valve in valve procedures
  • Left atrial appendage closure
  • ASD, PFO and paravalvular leak closure
  • Advanced echocardiography and multimodality cardiac imaging
  • Complex coronary and peripheral interventions
  • Mechanical circulatory support for high risk cardiac procedures

Treatment decisions are individualised according to the patient’s clinical condition, anatomy, procedural risk and overall circumstances, with multidisciplinary assessment where appropriate.

A LEGACY OF INNOVATION

Pioneering Transcatheter & Structural Heart Interventions

The development of Unit II’s structural heart program has been marked by pioneering procedures and the adoption of evolving transcatheter technologies.

Among its significant milestones are:

WORLD FIRST
  • Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Implantation
    World’s first transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation using a right atrial docking device.
  • RotaTripsy
    World’s first RotaTripsy procedure, combining rotational atherectomy followed by intravascular lithotripsy.
ASIAN FIRST
  • Portico Valve in Valve
    Asia’s first valve in valve procedure using the Portico transcatheter heart valve.
FIRSTS IN INDIA
  • Transcatheter aortic valve implantation
  • Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation
  • Percutaneous transaxillary transcatheter valve deployment
  • Mechanical circulatory support
  • Next generation transcatheter valve technologies

These milestones reflect the evolution of transcatheter and structural heart intervention at CMC Vellore and the program’s engagement with emerging technologies and complex clinical challenges.

EDUCATION, RESEARCH & COLLABORATION

Advancing Knowledge Alongside Clinical Care

Structural heart medicine continues to evolve rapidly. Alongside patient care, Unit II contributes to the advancement of the field through education, research and academic collaboration.

The unit is involved in postgraduate and fellowship training, clinical research, scientific meetings, live case demonstrations, hands on workshops and continuing medical education.

Its faculty participate in national and international scientific forums, collaborate with specialists and centres across the world, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in transcatheter valve and structural heart intervention.

LOOKING AHEAD

From Experience to the Next Frontier

The story of Unit II is one of continuing evolution: from the early development of a transcatheter valve program to a broader structural heart practice encompassing multiple valve territories and complex catheter based interventions.

NEXCOR brings together this experience, evolving technology and the wider structural heart community to connect, converge and advance the field.