Tripura has recorded a major milestone in cardiac healthcare with doctors at Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital successfully performing the state’s first heart-muscle reduction procedure. The landmark surgery marks a significant advancement for patients suffering from Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM), a condition in which the heart muscle thickens abnormally and obstructs blood flow. The medical team carried out a Percutaneous Transluminal Septal Myocardial Ablation (PTSMA), a specialised and minimally invasive intervention. The technique involves injecting a controlled amount of alcohol into a precisely chosen artery to shrink the thickened heart tissue that causes obstruction.
Health officials said the 46-year-old patient, who had been struggling with severe chest pain and related symptoms for years, is recovering steadily and has shown “remarkable improvement” since the procedure. Doctors explained that many individuals with this genetic heart condition remain undiagnosed for long periods, putting them at risk of heart failure or sudden cardiac complications. One official said the PTSMA procedure directly targets the obstructing muscle and is widely regarded as one of the most effective treatment options for suitable patients. Until now, residents of Tripura requiring this advanced treatment had no choice but to travel outside the state, often at high financial cost.
With this successful operation, the Agartala-based hospital joins a small group of centres in eastern India capable of performing this sophisticated cardiac intervention. Hospital staff described the achievement as a “turning point” in Tripura’s medical landscape, noting that the procedure was offered free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, ensuring access for even economically vulnerable patients.
