Cardiac Arrhythmia is no longer an impossible condition to be treated. An advancement in technology led to the development of defibrillators, which control abnormal heartbeat and prevent heart stroke or heart failure.
AICD is also one of the defibrillators known as automated implantable cardioverter defibrillators that are interested in the chest to treat abnormal cardiac arrhythmias. One of the prime concerns of the patients and their family members is the AICD cost in India and the best surgeon available.
In this blog, we’ll explore what an AICD is, why it’s essential, and the financial aspects surrounding it in the context of India.
Table of Contents
What is AICD and Why is it Necessary?
Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (AICD) is a device that controls or monitors the cardiac heart rhythm. Due to clinical conditions, the heart can beat either too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly (atrial fibrillation). This device is then implanted in the chest and uses electrical impulses to return your heart rhythm to a normal pattern.
The AICD device can speed up or slow down the heart rate and can give the heart a shock if it starts having life-threatening arrhythmias or an abnormally high heart rate. This device has 2 parts:
- Electrodes (thin, flexible wires)– It senses or watches the heart’s electrical activity.
- Generator– It is the powerhouse of the device and stores information about the times of arrhythmia the heart can have. The generator tracks how often an electric shock is required to normalize the heartbeats.
The following reasons for which automated ICD indicated are:
- Patients with a prior MI and a left ventricular ejection fraction of < 30%
- Patients with systolic heart failure
- Patients with sudden cardiac death
- Fast heart rhythm that keeps returning and could cause death
- Fast heart rhythm that cannot be cured by surgery
- Fast heart rhythm that cannot be controlled with medications
What is the Average Cost of AICD in India?
AICD is a very complex and advanced procedure done in India. The average AICD cost in India ranges from ₹ 6.25 Lakh to ₹12 Lakh.
However, the breakdown of the average cost of AICD is:
- Device Costs: The manufacturer, model, and features all affect how much the AICD costs. The price might range from ₹4 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs or more on average.
- Implantation Surgery: The surgical procedure to implant the AICD involves the services of highly skilled cardiologists and electrophysiologists. This surgical cost can add significantly to the overall expenses.
- Follow-up and Maintenance: AICDs require regular follow-up visits, including device checks, reprogramming, and battery replacements, which can lead to ongoing costs.
However, Insurance policies in India may or may not cover the entire cost of the AICD, depending on the terms and conditions of the procedure, and sometimes the costs can be incredibly challenging for individuals with limited financial means, leading to disparities in access to this life-saving technology.
Considering the financial challenges, efforts are being made to provide financial assistance and make AICDs more accessible:
- Government Initiatives: Some state governments in India offer financial aid for AICD implantation through healthcare schemes and insurance programs.
- Philanthropic Organizations: NGOs and philanthropic organizations often step in to help individuals who cannot afford the cost of AICD devices.
- Awareness and Education: Spreading awareness and educating the public about the importance of AICDs available support and financial options can make a significant difference.
Why Prefer India for the Cardiac Treatment?
The Indian healthcare system is emerging rapidly and has provided the best and most cost-effective cardiac care to national and international patients.
Here are the following reasons India is considered best for Cardiac Treatment:
- Cost-effective treatment: India provides cost-effective and quality treatment as compared to other developed countries like the UK, the US, etc.
- Professional Medical Expert: India has a pool of skilled and experienced cardiac surgeons who are trained by reputed national and international institutions. They are well-recognized for performing complex cardiac procedures.
- Quality of care: Indian hospitals are accredited by the NABH and JCI, which shows that they meet the quality standards to provide positive outcomes.
- State-of-the-art technology: Hospitals adopted advanced cardiac technologies for diagnosis and treatment. Even surgeons are well aware and trained in advanced cardiac procedures.
- Language proficiency: Medical experts and staff have expertise in many international languages, which results in proper communication and reducing all barriers.
Who are the Best Cardiac Surgeons and Cardiologists in India for AICD?
As the process is complex and sensitive, a trained and skilled cardiac surgeon is required to perform it successfully. Here are a few of the best cardiac surgeons in India that you can choose for automated ICD implantations:
Dr. Ashok Seth:
- Dr. Ashok is a renowned and skilled Cardiac Surgeon in India.
- He has an experience of more than 39 years and performed more than 50,000 angiograms and 20,000 angioplasties.
- He is one of the youngest overseas doctors awarded a Fellowship and has successfully trained over 350 cardiologists in India and abroad.
- His core expertise is treating conditions like heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, etc.
Dr. Nikhil Kumar:
- Dr. Nikhil Kumar is one of the finest Interventional Cardiologists.
- He has an experience of more than 25 years in this field.
- Reputed national and international institutions trained him in treating complex cardiac procedures
- His core competencies lie in Pacemaker and AICD implantations and Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy.
Dr. KK Saxena:
- Dr. KK Saxena is a renowned and well-known Interventional Cardiologist.
- He has an experience of more than 36 years and performed many cardiac catheterizations for pediatric and adult patients.
- His area of expertise lies in balloon dilation of the mitral valve, temporary and permanent pacemaker, or AICD implantation.
Dr. Govinda Pillai:
- Dr. Govind Pillai is a renowned and skilled Interventional Cardiologist.
- He has been practicing in this field for more than 36 years.
- He was recognized as the Best Interventional Cardiologist at the BARD International Best Case Contest.
- He has expertise in Stress Echocardiography, Cardiac Catheterisation, Fetal Echocardiography, Carotid Artery Disease, and temporary or permanent AICD implantation.
Dr. Aparna Jaiswal:
- Dr. Aparna Jaiswal is a well-known and skilled Interventional Cardiologist.
- She has an experience of more than 20 years in this field.
- She was internationally trained in Cardiac Electrophysiology and is the first electrophysiologist to start an EP program in Mauritius.
- Her core competencies lie in pacemaker or AICD implantation, treating cardiac arrhythmia, etc.
AICDs are a vital tool in the fight against sudden cardiac death, providing a lifeline to individuals at risk. However, The AICD cost in India is quite adequate, ensuring it is easily accessible to even poor patients.
To overcome the financial burden, it is essential for healthcare providers, government bodies, and philanthropic organizations to work together to ensure that this life-saving technology is accessible to all who need it, regardless of their financial circumstances. Ultimately, saving lives should not be determined by one’s ability to pay.
